Naish is currently competing for the favour of wave fans with two new models - Global Quad and Hookipa Quad. While the Hookipa Quad was primarily designed as a very radical wave board for selected conditions, the Global Quad is supposed to feel at home at most wave spots worldwide. We tested whether this promise comes true.
On the beach
The Naish Global Quad has been completely redeveloped and, at just 57 centimetres wide, is rather narrow for a board of this size. Whereas previous models sometimes had a very narrow stance, the position of the plugs have now been adjusted to almost normal standards, with multiple plug positions offering room for individual tuning. All straps are also solidly double bolted. The large pads and soft straps ensure a comfortable stance on deck. At 14 and eight centimetres in length, the quad fins supplied are rather small. The bottom shape is rather unspectacular - a moderate "V" with slight double concaves runs from the front to the middle section and the tail rocker on the centre line is also quite moderate.
On the water
Despite the rather narrow width, the Global Quad is well balanced in the water when wobbling out. With the first gust, the board takes off well, runs with a good mixture of control and liveliness and reaches a high top speed. Everyone can live with this combination, and on the way out you have the best credentials to hunt for suitable jump ramps. In jibes, the Global turns surprisingly tightly over the back foot, making it ideal for tight radii against the wave. The Global Quad is also pleasantly balanced on the wave. With less speed, you can squeeze tight turns over the back foot out of the board. Nevertheless, the board can also carve long radii with good control and takes the speed well up to the lip of the wave. Only when there is a lot of wind and you're firing down the wave face with high speed, the shape does reach its limit in terms of manoeuvrability. Then you can no longer make the radii as tight as experts would sometimes like them to be to bust out 360s and other wave moves.
Naish Global Quad - conclusion:
The Naish Global Quad offers a great mix of planing power, control and turning characteristics and consequently convinces as a universally usable wave board with a focus on typical euro wave conditions. Even occasional trips to the Ijsselmeer chop or powerful ocean waves won't upset the Global Quad. For 95 per cent of wave surfers, the Global is probably better suited than the Hookipa Quad, which is noticeably more radical but also more difficult to ride.
Planning, control, carving
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Technical Data Naish Global Quad (surf measurements)
- Weight: 6.29 kg
- Lenght: 221,5 cm
- Width: 57.0 cm
- Price: 2699 Euro
- More Info: naishsails.com
