The idea behind including the RWW was to see how a ‘fast’ (low rockered) waveboard fared against the FSWall-rounders on test.We like to do this in most tests to keep a good handle on how one class of boards varies from and links to another. Unfortunately, this season JP have revised the shapes of their RWW boards quite significantly, bringing the rockers more in line with regular waveboards. There is therefore quite a stark difference between this board and the others on test!

On the Water:

It was clearly and immediately noticeable how much slower the RWW is to plane, and this is due entirely to the much greater rocker through the tail. Most of the other boards were more or less happy to use up to a 6.5m while the RWW derived no extra benefit from it, needing something closer to 5.5 before it really starts to release. The RWW is a waveboard and needs waves to perform. In chop it’s a little bit bouncy and lacks drive and purpose. However, in a decently powered wave situation the RWW suddenly has considerable advantages over most of the boards on test here as it generally feels much looser, turns tighter and grips better. The turnaround point comes really as soon as you can rely on the RWW to stay planing and releasing and this is dependent on what you’re doing as well as the windstrength and sail size. Although a good constant 16-17 knots will get the RWW buzzing, it’s still much more likely to stall than flatter-rockered boards when turning down-the-line in onshore frontside. Generally we found that it was best to be comfortably powered on a 5.3 before changing down from an all-rounder.

Fittings: Nice straps and pads and a decent fin.

Popularity:

The RWW 74 was a very popular board in the wave test and we have no reason to believe that the 82 is any less a board. It would be unfair to rate its popularity against boards that were usually much better suited to the conditions, but it is very indicative of how much less popular (and effective) waveboards in general are if the wind is at all marginal, even in a wave environment.

Overall:

The 82 gave us every reason to believe that it’s a highly recommendable waveboard and we would be confident that you could read last month’s test on the 74 and scale it up. It is basically a riding board with a stubby planshape but with good allround waveboard performance.We would recommend it for use with 4.2-5.5m sails for sailors of around 85-95kg.