Design: The Cross has a very long ‘planing flat’ section in its rocker profile, which places a considerable length of board in the water. It has a small amount of tail rocker and quite a wide tail giving good weight support and early lift. Max width is relatively narrow, giving it quite a parallel-railed feel.

On the water: The Cross felt clearly the most directional and blasty of the boards on test. It sits very flat on the water and is extremely easy and comfortable for blasting, being both very easy and controllable and yet also fast and quick upwind. Early planing is excellent, and due to the flat rocker and wide tail it will take a bigger sail than most, possibly even up to about 7.0m with a bigger fin.

Although quite responsive and very predictable in the carve the Cross cannot be described as loose in a waveboard sense. It can be fun for backside hits and keeps speed well front side but is not snappy. However, gybing performance is good, with easy grip through the turn and very good exit speed. Jumping performance is also good with its quick acceleration, predictable tracking and secure footing into take off.

Fittings: The straps came in for a bit of criticism, with most finding them a little hard on the foot and a bit over-engineered for easy adjusting. However, the pads were very soft underfoot giving excellent shock absorption for jumping. The fin seemed a little stiffer than necessary but worked fine.

Overall: Very much a freeride in style, with excellent blasting and gybing and very good early planing and control in chop and tough conditions. All the team found it to be one of the least throwabout boards in the waves, yet while the lighter sailors reckoned it to be a bit too stiff and directional for satisfying jumping and turning, the heavier sailors still found it excellent for bump-&-jump and a bit of onshore riding.

Due to its ease of sailing and very accessible speed and upwind performance we would strongly recommend it for advancing intermediates, and it will also make a very good medium to moderate wind board for heavier weight advanced coastal or sheltered water sailors.