As we shared last month, Starboard have just launched their 2016 Wave and Freestyle Range, and now we’ve decided to dig a little deeper and find out what the whole range is all about…
For 2016 Starboard claim to introduce both classic and revolutionary designs to maximize the element of fun on the water for their customers.
Starboard say these boards are the most advanced, highest performance wave and freestyle boards released to date… but is it true?
First let’s look at the Kode
For 2016 this board is all-new and in simple terms it will have you going faster, jumping higher and surfing with more control.
Whether you are starting out in the waves or already have a few PWA World Champion titles like Philip Koster or the Morenos, the Kode Wave will take jumps and waveriding to the airs.
The Science:
The boards are now more consistent across the range, with the Vee brought further back into the mono-concave for a smoother initiation of the bottom turn and rail-to-rail transfers. Rails and rockers have also been refined for speed and maneuverability and the sizing denominations have been adjusted.
The all-new Kode FreeWaves
The new Kode FreeWave is the fast and versatile board for flat water, chop or waves. For 2016 the Freewaves have seen their wave performance improved without losing the speed they’re famous for. The 81 & 86 models are very much wave oriented with the forgiveness of a freewave board.
Technical:
The new rocker, thin rails and thruster setup come together to boost the board’s wave performance without sacrifices on top speed and traction. The all new 109 is now available for bigger riders and light wind days. All Kode FreeWave are delivered with a thruster setup. The bigger models also come with a single fin and plugs.
Pro Talk:
– Boujmaa Guiloul (currently leading AWT tour).The classic Quads
The Quad brings a combination of speed, flow and power to your surfing for the most connected sensation to the wave. They produce powerful yet smooth turns when driven off the rails.
Technical
Last year, the Quads under went subtle changes producing significant improvements in performance. Vee was brought forward of the fins to facilitate cutbacks. More outline curve was added between the straps for some models to allow for quicker and more vertical turns.
The new, revolutionary Reactors
With their unparalleled reactivity will open your eyes to another world and enable you to draw new lines in all conditions. All new for 2016.
Simply speaking…
It enables riders of all levels to access more radical surfing. The short length, wide nose, relatively flat rocker, swallow tail and quad fin setup provide unparalleled reactivity in all wind and wave conditions.
The Reactor will create drive through turns, redirect immediately when hitting the lip, boost airs easily and fit into tighter pockets.
Pro Talk:
– Jaeger Stone (currently 3rd place PWA Wave tour).The new Flares
Have been 100% refined for 2016 by the world’s best freestyle team while keeping recreational freestylers in mind.
What do they do…
They’re pure freestyle boards that pop easily and respond instantaneously. They’re fast, compact, reactive and light in both sliding and aerial maneuvers.
Technical
The new 2016 Flares have a thicker tail, with slightly softer rails in the front. This allows the board to be more comfortable and forgiving, without sacrificing speed.
They are also shorter and wider for 2016.
Compact, balanced and reactive. Comes with a new Powerbox and the Drake Ready to Freestyle fins by Taty Frans.
Pro Talk:
– Dieter Van der Eyken (current PWA Freestyle tour leader).Want to know more about the Starboard 2016 range? Check out all the details on the Starboard homepage here.
