Starboard release their 2016 range and, as always, it is full of brand new innovations…

After our 2016 Wave & Freestyle launch, we are happy to finally introduce our complete 2016 collection of boards, from beginner to slalom, from inflatable to freeride.

Each year, a new Starboard collection typically brings it with one or two key innovations. Take the GO in 1998, the Start in 1999 or the Evo in 2000 and more recently, the Atom concept in 2010, the Bat Wings in 2012 and the WindSUPs Inflatables in 2013. For the single year of 2016, we’re proud to introduce two entirely new innovative board ranges in the Reactor and the AirPlane, a new construction technology breakthrough that is the lightest in the world and the revolutionary Rail Edge technology for WindSUPs Inflatables.

Here are some of our highlights for 2016…

Racing

As tradition demands, our 2016 iSonics have been upgraded across the range with all-new shapes, with Starboard’s largest test and development program verifying performance in the different conditions of Vietnam, Maui, Thailand, New Caledonia and Marseille. The new shape evolutions aim to transfer mechanically more power from the sailor to the board in the light-medium wind models, gain efficiency with new rail shapes and new wetted-surface area designs on key models.

The new Formula cycle is here too. Introducing the successor to the 2015 Formula World Champion, the Formula 177. Designed specifically for modern course racing, the Formula 177 is our most powerful board with the widest wind range and the earliest planing performance. The new Formula generates more power, more leverage and more lift for more performance in light winds. Smaller aspects have also been improved, like the new chicken straps or the camel bump shape.

Freeride

Introducing the new Starboard AirPlane with Rail Edge technology. Fully-planing inflatable freeride boards, available with fully retractable rubber-sealed daggerboards, centre-fin versions and kid’s size. They’re the lightest, toughest and most compact windsurf boards, and thanks to this hard release Rail Edge technology, they accelerate and offer the most exciting planing sensation possible on no other inflatable board.

Slim, fast and with the wind range of two classic freeriders, our new AtomIQ 104, 114 and 124 come along our Atom IQ 130, 140 and 160 to take the complication out of windsurfing. On top of all the shape evolutions, the AtomIQs now come in Carbon UltraCore, the world’s lightest windsurfing board construction using a new Starboard proprietary sandwich core material with up to 50% higher mechanical properties.
Also available in Carbon UltraCore are Starboard’s iconic plug and play freeriders, the Carves: fast, high performance shapes built on a chassis that requires little technique and tuning to get to peak performance. With added length and a more rigid fin, the Carves get planing more smoothly, more easily and maintain rolling stability in the choppiest waters. They are also available in Wood Reflex, using a true Australian pine wood sandwich bottom with a full PVC biaxial glass sandwich deck for a light, crisp and stiff feeling non-sandwich boards can’t match.

Leisure

For beginners and progressing sailors, the Rios are Starboard’s most advanced shapes in their segment, including two brand-new Long Tail editions, the Rio Long Tail M and the Rio Long Tail L. The added Long Tail offers even more glide and allows the rider to get planing incredibly smoothly, so seamlessly, like magic. It’s an amazing experience to get planing without first having to learn how.

Starboard also introduces the world’s first WindSUP Inflatable boards with drop-stitch technology and Rail Edge technology. The drop-stitch connects the top and bottom panels, making the boards really stiff. They’re still soft on impact, making them safe, comfortable and tough: they’re the lightest, strongest and most compact WindSUP boards in the world and they new feature the Rail Edge technology that create a release edge that is hard and effective at releasing water and allows you to accelerate and enjoy the most exciting planing sensation.
Want to see more? Check out all of the details on the Starboard website here and check out all of the product movies on Starboard’s YouTube channel here.