Single test 2021: Goya Bolt Pro Freerace Single 137

Stephan Gölnitz

· 16.01.2021

Photo: Stephan Gölnitz

Single test 2021: Goya Bolt Pro Freerace Single 137

The Goya brand is recognised as an established name in the wave segment. The "Bolt" ("lightning", but also "bolt") now wants to establish itself in the freerace group. Will the shape really catch fire, or is it a thing of the past?

On land, the deeply hollowed deck is particularly eye-catching, as is familiar from race slalom boards, but can also be found on more and more freerace shapes. The pads are sufficiently large, the strap positions are all designed for more sporty use, the rear straps should only be a little further out for very committed racers. The MFC fin supplied with the carbon look is stiff and, at 46 centimetres long, is well suited to sails around 7.8 to nine square metres. In the underwater hull, the rather long planing surface with a flat planing angle is noticeable, which ends at the stern without rocker. The continuous V is moderate, the double concave also very moderate. In addition to the fin, two moderate cut-outs (yellow) adorn the stern, the black area (photo top right) is merely a design feature.

Photo: Stephan GölnitzThe recess on deck is the most striking design feature.

We were able to test the "Bolt" on the water at Lake Garda and Lake Walchensee in different conditions. The characteristics remain the same - in both flat and choppy water: the board already planes passively and quickly (the decent length of 2.40 metres provides noticeable support here) and also reacts well to pumping support. Even in light winds, it runs freely but close to the water at a flat angle and does not rebel even when there is a lot of pull on the sail hand. The pressure is distributed quite evenly over both feet With the best control, the top speed is good, and with fin tuning, racers can get a little more out of it. Tuned with a 43 Z-fin, the board felt crisper on the feet in the test, runs more freely and is therefore a tad faster at top speed. "It flies more, but it never flies away", as one tester put it. However, good performance paired with the best control is first and foremost the neat package that comes as standard. The water position is cushioned - considerate of bones and joints - but also sporty without being boring. You can confidently initiate the jibe on the Bolt at full speed. The board requires very little foot pressure, doesn't bounce, tracks well in turns and glides well through medium and wide turns. It is not lifeless, but always ready for action, but never completely leaves the chosen course.