On land: A freestyle-freeride hybrid? That's brave! The Ignite 103 comes with two G10 Powerbox fins (21 & 28cm) and two rows of plugs out of the box. In the freestyle set-up, the plug width has been reduced to 13 centimetres, which can force you to use non-matching plugs if you're over size 45 and wearing boots. The straps are comfortable, double-bolted at the back, but the neoprene cover limits the size when new - however, the straps widen over time. In the 4-person set-up, the normal strap width of 14.5 centimetres is available. At 211 x 66.5 centimetres, the board is extremely short and compact.
On the water: As a freestyler, the Ignite really impressed us: it glides smoothly, is pleasantly cushioned and offers good speed potential for all power moves. The rather stiff G10 freestyle fin takes on moderate pressure, and if you surf a little sensitively, you can get through without major spinouts, but you can easily animate the board to perform sliding double moves. The thick centre area delivers great pop, sliding is buttery smooth and extremely controlled, and it is particularly pleasing that the rather thick edges don't tend to get caught in the chop. As a freerider, the board only works poorly in our eyes. The short length is not helpful for easy planing from a freeride point of view, as there is a noticeable amount of resistance to overcome first. After that, the board takes off powerfully, but the Ignite never comes close to the speed feeling of an average freeride board. The Ignite is also not particularly smooth on the edge during jibing manoeuvres and the wide tail noticeably limits the radii.
surf conclusion: Cobbler, stick to your last - a typical freestyle waveboard like the Starboard Kode is clearly the better package for heating up, jibes and moves up to air jibes and loops. The Ignite is first and foremost a freestyle board - and a very good one at that. It sets no limits for power and sliding moves, even for very good trick riders. Due to the large board width, surfers under 85 kilos should opt for the 93.
Info: www.star-board.com
