Design: As detailed in the Style write-up, you need to forget any old associations of the Syncro name with slower, wave / control biased boards. This Syncro has minimal tail rocker and a FSW style planing flat, giving it a quick rockerline. Although considerably higher in volume than most boards in this test we included the Syncro as it quotes 61cm of width. In fact it measured up at 62cm, and without much rail tuck it has a planing width of about 2cm wider than any other board on test. It therefore is, and feels quite a bit bigger than the others here.

In planshape it is relatively conventional although the nose is quite wide and low.

On the water: The Syncro feels very different to the other boards on test, not least because it comes with a 32cm fin. It is in a totally different class when it comes to sail carrying ability and early planing. The board is completely comfortable with a 6.8-7.0, and we actually even used it with a 7.5m sail. Although we wouldn’t really advise this (it would be fine with 7.0m) it was a tribute to the board that it was possible. It planes up really early, almost like a larger freeride and yet once up and running it still has a fair bit of the liveliness of a FSW.

It is extremely fast and comfortable blasting and manages to make moderate winds a lot of fun. It gybes very well, allowing good speed to be kept up quite easily on exit.

In the waves it behaved surprisingly well, feeling relatively loose for a large board, turning well and jumping extremely easily. The wide low nose does slightly compromise riding performance but was much less of a hindrance than expected. Although very easy and predictable to turn the board is quite stiff when riding.

It was well liked by the freestyle posse for its easy planing, reasonable pop and high stability.

Fittings: The fittings are of a high standard with comfy straps, a decent G10 fin and comfy pads and doming. The fin is relatively large but suits the board well for moderate to medium winds. A smaller one would be useful if you intend to use the board much in stronger winds.

Overall: Although slightly outside the parameters of this test on size the Syncro impressed us substantially. It has exceptional qualities of speed, comfort and early planing and yet was surprisingly lively and fun for a board of its size. Although its riding quotient isn’t high it still feels lively and it would make an excellent board for blasting around in a very wide range of conditions, gybing and jumping and maybe trying out some freestyle.

It would make a perfect one board for an average weight sailor (70-85kg) or a great complement to a large freeride.