RRD – Z-RIDE vs FREESTYLE WAVE Boards Mag

5th Apr 2007 @ 07:34:05 PM

RRD – Z-RIDE vs FREESTYLE WAVE
The Z-Ride and Freestyle Wave are the only non-specialised RRD ranges, and this sizing is the only overlap. The Z–Ride is clearly marketed as a freeride; its website write-up emphasises speed, easy and early planing potential and good handling. The Freestyle Wave is proclaimed as “a board that does everything”, with emphasis on its speed, waveriding and manoeuvrability. Although they are united by a philosophy of using long flat sections from the tail (late 2cm points), there are otherwise very clear design differences between the two boards.

The Z–Ride is long and the widest tailed freeride. It’s also by far the widest at 180cm from the tail (wide nose) and has the flattest rocker (2cm and rocker overall) by far. This makes it a very stable, easy, early planing, flat water biassed freeride.

The Freestyle Wave has considerably more nose rocker, a much narrower tail and is shorter. So although the rocker through the tail is relatively slalomy the rest of the board is clearly geared towards rougher water and much greater manoeuvrability. It is in fact a classic fast-tail all-rounder shape.

Fittings:

RRD’s new straps seemed comfortable and more durable. The deckpads of the FSW are extremely dense and comfortable although they flatten the deck a little. Otherwise pads and strap positions were sensible. The fins are of good quality and suit the boards well.

www.boards.co.uk BOARDS TEST 2007

RRD Z-RIDE 107
Lower wind freeride / accessibility: The Z–Ride seems built to excel in this area. The long flat promotes passive planing; minimal technique is required to get going in very little wind. The tail width and big fin provided make going upwind a doddle. It will easily support very big sails for excellent marginal wind blasting performance, and it’s well balanced and easy to sail.

Burn-&-turn freeride:
The width and very flat rocker prevent it being quite as free, agile and exciting as the best, but it’s still pretty fast and very comfortable, with the thin rails giving just enough sensitivity for an involving ride and easy – if drawn out – turns.

Freestyle:
Extremely stable for non-planing tricks but otherwise really not a freestyle board.

Riding, jumping & manoeuvring:
The very flat rocker makes it feel stiff when jumping and, combined with the wide nose, it feels very sticky and cumbersome when manoeuvring in waves. Nice enough for just cruising around in the swell though.

Suitability:
Would suit either lightweight (55-65kg) early / mid-intermediates or heavier more advanced sailors (up to 80kg) looking for a relatively small board that is capable of carrying big sails for moderate wind blasting. It’s best suited to 6.2-7.5m but could take up to 8.0m.

Overall:
It very much split opinion amongst the team and guesters. Some felt it was too like a Formula board, needing too outboard a stance and limiting their fun and freedom. Others really responded to its excellent cruising qualities and moderate wind specialism, singling it out for praise. All were agreed that it was the master in marginal winds and was easy, gybed well and was definitely quick.
Price: £849 with 38cm Powerbox fin.

RRD FREESTYLE WAVE 110:
Lower wind freeride / accessibility: Light to medium-weight sailors may find it a bit cumbersome and unwieldy on flat water in moderate winds as it felt a little sluggish to get going; sitting on its tail and feeling heavy – although in actual fact, with a big fin it will take big sails and power up quite early, as comparative testing proved. Burn-&-turn freeride: Needs quite masterful and committed handling as the nose tends to ride up in chop but it is ergonomic, quick and gybes easily, keeping speed through the turn.

Freestyle:
It is a fraction longer than the best for freestyle but it slides and spins well with good attachment via the straps and deck. It feels a bit big and heavy in the air but pops quite easily. Good for heavyweight freestylers.

Riding, jumping & manoeuvring:
Comes alive in the swell; the lifty nose makes jumping fun and easy and its willingness to manoeuvre and yet still grip in the carve mean that it can pick a nice line and turn easily. It isn’t a loose waverider but heavy sailors will find it manoeuvrable and fun.

Suitability:
Definitely a heavyweight’s board, only really relevant to sailors of 85kg and above. Ideal for 95-110kg late intermediate and advanced sailors wanting a good all-rounder for moderate wind (5.8-7.0m) coastal sailing.

Overall:
Perhaps more than any other board in the test, this is a heavyweight’s specialist. Even the smaller (78 and 86L) RRD Freestyle Wave boards proved weight-sensitive this year and we believe that the 110L is very much the same board as those two: An excellent moderate to medium wind jump and manoeuvre board with good freestyle performance thrown in. You just need to be a very heavyweight sailor to access that excellent performance.

Price: £1,049 in Carbon Kevlar, £949 in Glass Wood construction, with 31cm Powerbox fin