This is slightly the more ‘trad’ shaped waveboard of Fanatic’s two lines, although apart froman extra 7cmlengthmany of the other differences of style and planshape have been eroded. It’s very similar indeed to last year’s 74L version, though now with a stubbier planshape occasioned by losing 3cm of length and gaining both nose and tail width.

On the Water: The slightly narrower tail and flatter rocker through the tail (compared to the AllWave) give it slightly increased grip and speed going out through the waves and allow it to get going slightly earlier, giving quite decent early planing for a waveboard. Like the AllWave it’s a fully single concave hull and you can’t afford to push too clumsily on the back foot if you want the board to track upwind, but it does jump well if the wind isn’t dead onshore. The NewWave is conspicuously fast – and feels it. It gives a very lively and exciting ride that many found more exacting than they wanted, particularly in chop. However, for fast blasting and consequently high jumps the rewards match the challenges and it gybes beautifully allowing good speed to be kept through the turn when required. It isn’t the easiest board with which to keep both composure and speed on the wave but again, once you have engaged the rail in a nice bottom turn it bites and allows you to redirect the board at speed and it can snap beautifully through a top turn for a relatively trad shape. It should be delightful in cross-offshore conditions.

Fittings: As for the AllWave.

Popularity: Several people found it a bit lively for preference but it was enjoyed by most and would probably have done even better in a more cross-offshore venue.

Overall:At its best it is fast, exciting and although still extremely loose it grips beautifully on an engaged rail, yet remains very pivotal for the top turn. It is a pretty good all-rounder, perhaps slightly more biassed towards riding than jumping but very competent at both. However it isn’t really the best for high wind control and ease of use, and we would therefore principally recommend it for competent wavesailors who are likely to get at least some opportunities to ride really nice waves in cross or cross-offshore conditions.