Design: The Rebound’s shape has been unchanged for a few seasons, which is apparent in some of the measurements. It is slightly longer and narrower than the other boards, though not by much. The tail is also relatively narrow.

Underneath, we find a moderate amount of vee, and a pretty flat rockerline through the rear section, with zero tail rocker and a long planing flat. The hull is relatively thin (or low volume for its footprint).

On the water: The long planing flat and low tail rocker ensures that it sits flat on the water, and with so little drag it is one of the earliest to come onto the plane, except for our heavier sailors (85kg+), for whom the board needed a bit more unsticking, being slightly thinner (and narrower) than most. It is a great board for blasting around, very easy to keep going and take upwind and very responsive to foot pressure. Sitting so flat it rides chop extremely well and is quick, feels quick and is easy to take to speed.

With that long flat in the rocker profile it can’t really be described as loose, but it is still extremely responsive – being easy to carve and very grippy on the thin rails. So much so that, while far from being a slashy wave biased board, people found it very easy to turn (as well as good to jump) and therefore fun in the waves. Gybing performance is excellent, with speed very easy to keep out of the turn.

Fittings: The straps were not liked, feeling a bit hard and uncomfortable and allowing too much side to side foot movement for most sailors. We changed them and the board immediately felt a lot better. Although the board is not particularly ‘fin critical’, a bigger fin will boost performance in marginal conditions or a softer one in stronger winds.

Overall: The Rebound proved a bit of a revelation to most of our sailors. Having initially put people off with its slightly retro look and below par fittings, it soon wooed them back with its very appealing performance. Early planing, fast, easy, direct and extremely responsive, it is great for blasting, bump-&-jump, gybing and jumping. Though not its forte, it can also perform freestyle and do a bit of waveriding too. It is basically a relatively flat rockered small freeride given an added and unexpected dimension by its thin railed responsiveness. It was very well liked by everyone.