Just thought I'd let everyone know that in my humble opinion and vast testing of exactly two models, the Starboard Evo 92 of approx 2005 vintage is way stronger than the JP Real World Wave 91 of approx 2007 vintage.

The Evo was my first wave board and lasted me from 25/09/2005 to about 25/08/2008... a good 3 years during which I tore my symphysus pubis (details available to those who are interested), had it (not that, the Evo) washed over the rocks at Baggies (thanks to Alistair for the board rescue) tried my first flat-water forwards and generally did some very big, very uncontrolled, very flat landed jumps on it.

Around then it creased in the centre and I got Arno to repair it.

The RWW91 I took care of with kid gloves, tried a few forwards, crashed a few back/pushloops and tried to ride down the line. But it has basically lasted half the time of the Evo despite my learning to land better and being much more careful with it.

Two weeks ago in an out of control palm beach session I landed a few jumps badly and smashed the deck and (according to Arno) bent the rocker line.
[www.stormchasers.org.za]

Of course you can never compare exactly and be sure that both boards underwent the same treatment but it really looks as though the Evo was more durable. I don't know if this is a brand thing or down to the particular construction of the models (FWS for the JP and DRAM on the Evo I think).

Let's see what the blurb has to say... according to JP's website:

Full wood sandwich has a double sandwich, glass bridge, wood on the deck, full technora-kevlar standing area below and above the wood. Well, that stuff broke pretty darned easily.

Nothing specifically about strength or durability.

From Starboard:

"The Starboard "Dur-X" construction standard is arguably the most durable one in the world: The warranty rates estimated as the lowest in the industry"

So I guess they did say it and they were right... at least in comparison to the JP in question.

What is the conclusion?

Well, obviously this is not a controlled or repeatable, reliable test of durability... just an account of my personal experience. But I personally will draw the following conclusions:

1. I will choose starboard over JP for waveboards... primarily for the durability difference I have experienced.
2. If possible, I will look out for products that at least claim to be durable or have durability as one of their selling points and I'll definitely rate this over lightness or performance.

My message to the industry- all boards break if you hammer them enough, esp if you are a 94kg heavyweightlike myself... but there is a lot to be said in my particular section of the market for an increase in durability even if it comes at the cost of a small performance penalty. Like Chris G before me, I'm mostly a weekend sailor and at such a rate, I expect a waveboard to last me 3 years, like the Evo... not 1.5 years like the JP.

only 2 words Tabou, Fanatic......Lol

Ha ha, well at this rate I'll get through every brand so I'll be able to comment on all of them!!

SA`s new board tester

Windsurfing Boards - time for my digg.

The concept of board weight is an age old discussion point in windsurfing circles. When someone buys a new board and before the first virgin sail the first thing being discussed around beers at the bar is - Man this thing is sooo light.

Cool, but and a big BUTT - what the heck is inside that thing then?
Toilet paper?
No can't be.
You can buy at least a 100 year supply of toilet paper together with free wiping facilities and food for a 300kg gorilla for the price of one of these babies.

Q&A session Prospective Client and Board Manufucturer

Client - OK. So it has something special inside then.

BM - Yes, but only enough so that it is legal to say so.

So why not put more of that special stuff inside?

Hey, great idea, but...
Then you windsurfing guys will not need to buy a new one every year.

Why should we buy a new one each year?

Well the shapes change and get better.

Oh, so I should wait for next year when they actually work.

OK, So last years shapes were a dud but don't worry we sold enough of them so we could make new ones this year. Here try these they might work. Please leave your right arm at the counter and the cashier will provide you with your slip. See you soon...

...

As you have gathered, my conclusion is that boards are too light and prices seem to be on the high side for such a "disposable" item.
This is a very dangerous approach for a sport that is already in trouble at least from an SA point of view.
The industry is trying very hard to provide the "lightest" and "strongest" possible construction.
Based on their track record, this is nothing more than a banner shouting the "cheapest" and "quickest" construction.
while experimenting with new shapes every year some manufucturers even seem to be losing some shapes that actually do work in the process! That is sad.

It is currently more than frustrating as a 6"4' 95kg wave sailor, to find a wave board that actually works and lasts more than 5 sessions.
I am not alone in this and certainly share this view with my peer sailors who are also heavy wave sailors.
I get the feeling that when wave boards are being designed that the "testers" are light and the testing is "light".

Board Manufucturers within this sport are catering more and more for smaller guys with deep pockets...

And the Alternatives are...

And the Alternatives are..... Where is Greg Cole ????

Alan Serrurier had a board made by Greg, that he is probably keen to sell. A bit small for you, James, unless it is nuking. Then again, my board displaces all of 11 litres, and I do fine....

Oh yes, Greg Cole? I don't know of him but it does make you think if you could get a guy to copy a shape you like but make it in a stronger (even if slightly heavier) construction maybe you'd be onto something.

I've thought of asking Arno if he could do it. I remember him saying that he couldn't make a board cheaper than the factory because of the expensive stuff like carbon that goes into them but even if he (or someone) could make one around the same price but stronger that might be a starting point. And maybe carbon is overrated too.... I gather it's stiffer and lighter (which is what the pros want) but not necessarily more durable than alternatives.

Although if you asked a guy like Arno he'd probably get into trouble from the importers because they'd lose sales. So where is this Greg Cole guy?

Here is a copy of the information I have in my address book. It could very well be out of date. I visited Greg a few years ago, and asked him to repair a damaged windsurfer. He told me that he had lost interest in windsurfers, and was focussing on making kiteboards. I think Shaun used to sell these boards in his shop, so Shaun might know of Greg's current contact details




Greg Coles 17 Greenfield Park Waterfall Tel. 031 - 763 - 4553 Cell 083 236 0746
Pro-Shapes Custom Designs, Box 234, Link Hills. tel 031 - 763 - 4575
Drive along Inanda road, to Waterfall. At robots, turn right. Get to an Engen garage, drive through apron to the shops behind the garage. Greg's shop is located there.

His shop / factory is still there.

I had a look at it about 2 months ago. He seems to be making bits of everything. I even saw one windsurfer.

Cool, maybe that's an option we should look into, next guy that needs a board.

Arno's fixing my RWW at the moment but he's not guaranteeing the rockerline will be quite the same so it's a bit of a gamble. If it doesn't work out quite right I will be in need of a board and maybe I'll go see Greg and find out if it's an option. I don't want to bug him if I'm not prepared to put some cash down on the table at that time....

If you're feeling board, go and have a gander at [www.witchcraft.nu]

I thought I'd do some research to see if any of the manufacturers were claiming to make boards stronger than the others. I must say I was quite impressed with what I read on the site. These guys have an interesting design philosophy. Their boards have quite a unique shape and look. Would be interesting to try one.

However, the prices are just prohibitive. They will deduct 19% for tax but if you import one you'll pay import duty anyway so I worked out you're looking at about 18k without even paying shipping costs. Ouch.

I guess they just don't have the economies of scale that the guys using the cobra factory do but I would have thought that without sponsoring riders on the PWA or a dealer network abroad they'd be able to bring us a bit of a discount. Doesn't look like it. Pity.