The Aero is the next logical step in Starboard’s innovation trend, it is a lightwind bump-&-jump board that promises to do to bump-&-jump what the Formula did to course racing, what the EVO did to wavesailing, and what the big Carve and GO boards did to freeriding and progressive sailing.

The Aero breaks new ground and completes the light-medium wind development Starboard started 7 years ago – one board solutions from 8 knots to 28!

The Aero rides super-loose compared to its size with maximum manoeuvrability, yet delivers a crisp and fast ride thanks to the innovative vee configuration. Fast and hyper-manoeuvrable the Aero is ideal for radical action in light to medium winds.

With straps set outboard, the Aeros give a hyper-manoeuvrable and hardcore feel to light-medium wind freeriding – they’re super-responsive and gybe like a hot-knife through butter. With straps set inboard and close to the centreline, the Aeros have added manoeuvrability and despite their size work quite nice in the waves when it’s light winds and can work well for many freestyle tricks. They are a fun surprise package.

The Aero will be available in 2 sizes: Aero 117 – 117 / 235 / 71 (Starboard recommend 5.0-9.0m sails); Aero 127 – 127 / 235 / 74 (Starboard recommend 5.5-9.5m sails)

In comparison to other Starboard designs:
Compared to the Kombat range, the Aero fills a similar role (some bump-&-jump, some waveriding and freestyling, some freeriding) but because of its added width, it becomes light-to-medium wind orientated. It has a wider sail range, so it becomes an ideal one-board-solution for those who want to sail from 8 knots and above. The Kombat is more suitable for those who want a medium-to-high-wind bump-&-jump board.

Compared to the Carves of similar volume (Carve 111, 121,131), the Aeros are wider for their given volumes. Because of this extra width, you can use larger sails in comparison to Carves of the same volume. The Carves are more suitable for those looking for classic freeriding with more speed, with less compromise towards wavesailing or manoeuvrability in light winds.

Compared to the Carves of similar widths (Carve 131) the Aeros are far more manoeuvrable, albeit less speed oriented and a bit more technical because of its shorter length. The Aeros give a completely different feel, being far more radical and responsive. The Carves are more ‘locked-down’ in feel, as pure freerides should be, whilst the Aeros are more upright and invite you to slash chop, jump and loop in light winds.

Available in the UK from late April ’05…