Freeride Test 2024: All shapes and details of the freeride boards in the test

Shape assessment - and this is how we measure

Almost all freeride boards glide on an underwater hull with a slight to distinct "V", which is sometimes complemented by a double concave. Towards the tail, freeride boards tend to have little to no rocker. The boards from Naish and We One are an exception here - albeit not too drastic - which probably resulted in very good turning characteristics with very little glide loss in the test. The "V" indicated in the individual presentations is measured by us in this way: We place a long ruler across the underside so that it rests on one side. On the other side, we measure the maximum distance between the ruler and the sliding surface (i.e. on the outside of the rail). Due to the fact that the boards are wider at 100 cm from the tail than at 33 cm from the tail, a larger measurement at 100 cm does not necessarily mean more angle in the V. We will take this into account in future tests.

Duotone Blast 117; 233 x 67cm

The Blast glides on a flat V-shape up to the mast, only then is the V clearly rounded towards the nose and provided with a double concave. The two strap positions are designed as a 4-position set-up and basically offer the "Freeride" and "Freeride Performance" variants. So no extreme freerace and no pure intermediate option. However, the options are very well chosen for freeriders of all orientations and are also well suited for sporty freeriding to freerace - with a comfortable stance in the straps on the deck, which is rounded towards the rails. In front of the mast track, the deck is rather wide and flat with plenty of standing space (relative to the narrow board width). The pads are thin and firm under the toes, but doubled under the heels.

• Length of sliding surface: 89.5 cm
• Rocker: 0 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V, 8 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: flat V, 8.5 mm

Duotone Eagle 120; 245 x 70 cm

The gliding surface of the Eagle is designed as a continuous flat V, which extends to a barely visible concave under the nose. Two strap options are provided on the domed deck, which are well suited for freeriders and freeride intermediates and both allow a comfortable foot position thanks to the deck contour. As with the Blast, the pads are thin and firm under the toes, but doubled under the heels.

• Length of sliding surface: 87.5 cm
• Rocker: 2 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V, 10 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: flat V, 10 mm

Goya Volar110; 244.8 x 70.8 cm

The most striking feature of the Goya Volar is the very flat deck shape. From the mast track to the tip of the board, the bow barely rises on the top side. Nevertheless, the board has a more than sufficient rise of 17 centimetres on the planing side. The deck, which is shaped quite rounded in the standing area, has a particularly large number of strap options. The outermost option is sufficiently sporty for this board class, and intermediates can even find plugs for a single centre loop at the back.

• Length of sliding surface: 91 cm
• Rocker: 2.5 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V, 5 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: slightly double concave V, 6 mm

JP Magic Ride 109; 242 x 70.5 cm

The comparatively slightly longer JP Magic Ride is shaped with a double concave V throughout, whereby the very light V with the mini double concave in the tail is much more striking towards the bow. On deck there is a lot of flat surface in front of the mast track, and the deck is nicely rounded in the rear third for a comfortable stance in all loop positions. With three different arrangements, the straps can be optimally mounted for every purpose, from sporty, fast freeriding to manoeuvring and upwind positions. The footpads are firm but non-slip - with a slightly different rubber-like surface structure than usual - and are generously cut. The power box is reinforced so that foils with a matching power box head can also be used. This seems particularly useful for the even larger models with a width of 75 centimetres or more.

• Length of sliding surface: 93 cm
• Rocker: 1 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: slightly double concave V, 4 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: double concave V, 11 mm

Naish Stratos 115; 239.5 x 67 cm

The narrowest - and in the test also the most lively - board in the group comes closest to having an underwater hull that could also fit into the Freemove group. The planing surface is slightly shorter, the tail bend is stronger and at 67 centimetres, the board is narrower than all the others - many of which have even less volume. With sharp rails and no cut-outs, the Naish still planes well. The fin and foot straps are positioned further back than usual and the foot straps can be mounted with four straps for very versatile and comfortable freeriding and as a set of three for intermediates and manoeuvre surfers. An extremely race-orientated position is not provided. The foot pads are very firm, but are also very generously dimensioned in terms of surface area. The foot straps offer a particularly wide range of size adjustment and also fit very small feet very well.

• Length of sliding surface: 75.5 cm
• Rocker: 8.5 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat 10 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: flat V, 4 mm

RRD Firemove 105; 236 x 71.5 cm

With a volume of 105 litres and a width of 71.5 centimetres, you can only bake a flat flounder. The RRD is the smallest board in the group in terms of volume and at the same time the largest with a width of 71.5 centimetres. All in all, this almost cancels each other out on the water. The board glides on an almost flat but quite clear V with such a small concave that you have to want to see it. There is a (foil-compatible!) tuttle box with two screws in the tail. The deck is kept very flat across the width and thus offers plenty of standing room around the mast, but bends upwards towards the bow. The 20 centimetre upturn at the tip of the nose is very noticeable. The strap options are sparsely distributed on the board and so the outside position is also quite far inwards, at least at the front, which doesn't look particularly "racy".

• Length of sliding surface: 104 cm
• Rocker: 0.5 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: planesV, 6 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: flat V, 9 mm

Severne Fox 115; 241.5 x 69.2

The Fox has a very striking underwater hull with a very strong V (with only slight concaves at the front) and large cut-outs at the tail. The very straight outline offers plenty of space on the flat deck in the centre area. The deck runs towards the bow with very little curvature. The wedge-shaped foot pads remain the absolute eye-catcher on deck, providing a very comfortable stance with a clear rise under the toes. All screws (fin and loops) are operated with the same Allen key as the Severne batten, and instead of a propeller, an automatic valve equalises the pressure in the board. The non-skid paint does not quite reach the rail, which should protect sail seams when catching up and was not missing when surfing.

• Length of sliding surface: 87 cm
• Rocker: 3 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V 16.5 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: very light double concave V, 16.5 mm

Starboard Carve

The wide nose of the Carve is particularly striking compared to the narrow tail. And deep cut-outs cut a good deal out of the already small flat in the fin area. There is a tuttle fin in the remaining tail, the two screws are fastened with the same Torx as the foot straps, which makes assembly much easier with the supplied T-handle Torx. On deck, the deep trough from the mast track catches the eye, lowering the base plate and taking volume and weight out of the nose. The loops are particularly comfortable and the pads are very thick, so that you sink into them noticeably and consciously enjoy the comfort, but are also a little tighter in front of the jibe. You have to get used to this first.

• Length of sliding surface: 97 cm
• Rocker: 0 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: double concave V 8.5 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: double concave V 8.5 mm

Tabou Rocket 115; 240.5 x 68.8

The Tabou is best characterised by a classic, harmonious outline and volume distribution. The deeper double concave in the front glide area, the thin foot pads and the unusual strap positions are particularly striking. The outer position at the back is very sporty and the straps cannot be adjusted tight enough for very small feet. The thin pads provide a direct, sporty feel with less cushioning, and the rear edge of the pad is less noticeable on the heel than with thicker pads.

• Length of sliding surface: 98 cm
• Rocker: 1 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V 6 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from the tail: clearly double concave V, 8 mm

We One We Ride

On the one hand, the We One board shows a little more rocker (tail bend) than average, but it scores points in the planing characteristics with a particularly wide tail and quite sharp tear-off edges far from the tail. In the test, it was particularly convincing in gybes - without any noticeable loss of planing. Two automatic valves equalise the pressure because, according to the developers, a single valve cannot sufficiently compensate for large temperature changes. The foot pads are made of slightly firmer foam and are particularly thick. With the strap options, the rear outer position looks very "racy" far out. A really good freeride setting for all testers was therefore the front outer position, combined with the rear double straps in the inner position.

• Length of sliding surface: 89.5 cm
• Rocker: 3.7 mm
• Shape at 33 cm from tail: flat V 9 mm
• Shape at 100 cm from tail: flat V, 9 mm