I tested Freeride vs. Freerace vs. Slalom Boards. Here's what I found...

[@Nico_GER7]

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[@garygross6849]

I'm an 66 year old man still working on my skills of sailing. I have a Bic 160 techno and generally use a 6.7 to a 7.5. Fun just to be on the water.

[@michaelhomeier8315]

66 is NOT OLD !!!

[@lchiner]

Also an old fellow at 64 years old, currently on freerace 77cm wide for 12 to 15 kts, then moving to freewave 68cm wide for 15 to 20+ knots, but envisaging to buy something in the middle like a carve 71cm wide, for unstable wind, I mean, start sailing with 14kts but finally pumps up to 18kts, guess that Nico could handle quite easily 20kts with a wide board but I double him in age, so I prefer to opt for comfort rather than full speed

[@_aira_7937]

Thanks to people like u I still believe that age is just a number. Thank you! ❤

[@doggylover1958]

Also 66, Techno152 is my favourite board, easy to plane, quite fast compared to much more expensive kit, 7.metre is ideal. Love it!!

[@andersjuul8310]

Another great video -- good insights before buying my first board. Starboard Carve was already on my list 💪👍

[@tompaesmans]

I recently changed my (older) slalom board (Falcon) for a new freerace board (Jag) and I am 2-3 kn faster on the freerace board... and planing out of the jibe is now much easier on the freerace board too. I am sailing on average 50 days/year, and freerace is the faster option for me. Same story with the sails, where I went from full slalom to freerace and did not lose performance.

[@SampieruCorsu]

Hello Nico, i like so much that kind of vidéos, when you testing different gear like fins or boards. It’s so interesting for us to have pro feelings about different gear. Thank u. 🙏🏼

[@jansterling385]

Hi, very interesting test, started windsurfing again a couple of years ago after a long break (10-15 years) I'm 48 now, started windsurfing at age 10. Made the mistake to buy full slalom equipment (I99 World cup slalom) super fast, but not easy to ride, changed all boards last year to Patrik F-Race (110,120,140), like Futura ( looked at them to, but got a better deal on Patrik boards), found them lot easier to ride, when only being a weekend warrior (sailing 1-2 times a week in season, it cold in Denmark juring winter🙂). I'm using Slalom sails (Gunsails GS-R 2021), now it works perfectly. I think many windsurfers are making the mistake to take full slalom boards instead of Freerace boards, if they don't do serious competition, Freerace boards are so much easier to handel.

[@cobbiepalm6790]

Thanks for affirming the Futura. Selecting a board is crazy hard with so many options. I have stayed on Futura for years. I believe it is the sweetspot for rec sailors!

[@Lindhofguitar]

Notice that at 9:32 Nico comes so fast through the jibe, that the sail flips reversed for a second - meaning that he sails faster than the current wind speed🙂 Per - Denmark

[@mintoxace5571]

I use a slalom board in large (133L 85 wide) and medium sizes (116L 71 wide), and then I use a free race board for high wind slalom racing as they’re more comfortable in high winds and chop. I use race sails with all of my boards. Thanks for the great videos Nico. 😊

[@oneliner1028]

Interesting test! The main takeaway for me is that most recreational windsurfers, like myself, will not reach the upper limit of what a freeride board and -sail is capable of. It would be fun if you could test the limit of an absolute beginner setup sometime, like a 200 ltr board and a school rig or something like that. My guess is that you can make that go quite fast as well :)

[@CroLarus]

I made 24 Kn (2sec) on Starboard Start Large with original Drake plastic fin...it is 225 L wide beginner board, biggest from Starboard...you can take that speed as minimum...it can go faster with better fin hahahahahaah ...i just remember I woos hoping that board will not torn my legs and knee...once woos enough...

[@steven_windsurf_nl]

Hey, cool test. I am an enthousiastic amateur, i weight 93 kg, 2.05m tall. I spend most weekends throughout the year on the water. My first board was a 131l carve (2014) and last year I bought a futura, 117l / 77 wide as it was really a lot lighter and easier to plane. This is my go-to workhorse, I sail it with anything between 6.3 and 9.4. For the 9.4 i should have a bigger board, but i can only fit so much gear in my shed. I tried it on a 85 wide isonic and then it started to feel like i was sailing rather than surfing, so all the playfullness kind of disappeared. Therefore, recently I started foiling as a light wind solution. Starboard freeride foil 155. I find that I can still use the futura in conditions where you might already want to go smaller in size, it is just very forgiving. It planes easily through windgaps. Favorite combination is with a 8.2 NP v8 and a 41cm Select S1 pro fin. I am not particularly fast, but I do sail hours and hour on end. For high wind I am struggling with learning a 60 cm wide slalom board and I move to a 3s (97l) /w (6.2 / 5.4) freeride sails when I am done with that.

[@wilcootte7408]

Hi Nico, great video! This year i made the step from a freeride board to a feeerace board and using freerace sails. I am loving it. I love the new print of the future! The Color scheme is so fency. I love that the white lines are now dark blue. Woww

[@vivrelocean]

This is a brillant channel That for sure helps windsurf to keep on living. The fin comparaison is more accurate as they are tested with the same gear. GPS speed comparaison between boards would have bien more interessting with the same fin type and sail. All that said , Bravo Nico its so pleasing to "sea" this passion in your eyes

[@bradmurdaugh5228]

Great comparison video. Nice to have a side by side comparison of different boards and how they compare to one another.

[@HorstBuchholz-cb6oq]

Hi Nico, Again many thanks for your efforts on testing and bringing us “Normalos” more information about differences in types. It was a pleasure to see you still having fun windsurfing! Great pics! This test (as the fin test) showed me m right decision to go with a Futura. Its nearly matches to my experience on these boards. Please keep ON testing! P.S: The close ups showed me (I hope) my faults in the jibes - will be better this year for sure … ;)

[@niclaskarlin]

Yeah, I liked that too! Almost straight downwind during the flip.

[@deanleslie2295]

Another great helpful episode really showing the difference between models

[@Wacoal34d]

This is a really good topic for video, and the slow motion shots of you sailing can teach so much! I also like that you have toned down the music. Impressive stuff! Thanks Nico.

[@joakimyliruusi]

Very nice video, thank you! I had a Futura 122l for a few years, but my progression on that was painstakingly slow. Then I switched to a new 135l Carve, and that was a good choice! It did hurt my ego to move "back to a HUGE barndoor", but just swallowed my pride and it was worth it. The Futuras are really much faster than the Carves, which made it more of a survival trip every time instead of steadily learning and progressing. My next board will probably be 105l Kode, as my goal is waves!

[@marcomoria8889]

Nice video. And I came to the same conclusion as you. I always used Full slalom equipment and that was always hard work. I noticed that my body was always sour after the sessions. Now I use freerace boards and cambered freerace sails (space Duotone) I have more miles on the water and speed is almost similair to full slalom setup. And ofcourse as you already tested the fins in your last video, also on a freerace board it makes a big differents. I think also control = speed, so if you cannot control the slalom equipment and you can with freerace equipment you will be faster on freerace. The nice think about your videos is that you confirm our own experiences and gives me at least a good feeling about choices I make. Keep on making those videos Nico!

[@gilliebilly]

After your video about the vins, another great video with interesting comparisons. After many years with an old board, I bought a jp magic ride (111 liters / 72 cm / 2016) not so long ago. What a difference that was. The current boards are so much easier to sail that I have learned a lot and improved my skills.

[@Windsurfing-Steve]

Switched from a quiver of isonics to a dedicated foil board and a Futura last year. Love the Futura, fast and gybes like it’s on rails 😁

[@rodriguezstohrer5492]

Nico, great testing, I suppose it will help many people to make a better decision of what kind of Board or Sail to use. The Spot is also perfect of this kind testing ... ;-) great job well done

[@rudolfbuehler9441]

Hello Nico, very interesting video (as always) thx for that. I am a freerace kind of windsurfer, not very skilled, but pretty fast (amateur style). I was very happy and won in Nov 2021 the Futura 117 at the virtual Defi. Thanks again to Starboard for that!!! Before I was using instead an older Futura 133 (77cm wide), most likely on our local Spot with sail 6.2 and 7.2 (without camber), sometimes even 8.2 (with camber). In the same year when I won the Futura I bought as well a new Goya Bolt (Freerace) as well with 117 liters. On one hand it is a waste to have two boards with the same volume and I would say I am similar fast with both. But the Futura is ~8cm wider than the Bolt. I think the Bolt is smoother in choppy conditions, that’s why I used it as well at the Defi Wind last year. My speed at Defi with Sails without camber was OK compared to other amateurs even with Slalom material. I need rather to work on my physics to make the 40km without pauses to breathe 😊 Anyway, my luxury dilemma, which board should I change and to what with the goal to have a setup as well with smaller sails for Defi Wind? Kinde regards!!

[@matthis_ger703]

I have an old 90s f2 Slalom Windsurfboard

[@manuelkrebs1321]

That's exactly the Video I was waiting for and a perfect Timing just some weeks before the Boot Show in Düsseldorf. Thanks a lot for that! I'm riding an old freerideboard, Hifly Madd 136L from 2006 for years now and I'm thinking about getting either the Carve or even the Futura to make the next step and progress. The Design of the Futura is just awesome. The carve in the Video also looks great but in the online Shops it looks different and just white which is not my favorite. Looking forward to your next Videos!!

[@Nico_GER7]

Thanks for the feedback. Yup, because there are two different constructions. The white one is the slightly heavier and cheaper one. Have a chat with us at Surfcenter. You’ll get a good deal on the wood one OR on a close-out from previous years. 👍

[@Gryffins90]

Really interesting comparison. I will feel less bad now when some guys on the spot with full race gear go 5 knots faster than me with my freeride setup :). An idea for a future comparison would be to do the same test but see how much of a difference a nice fin makes to the freeride and freerace boards.

[@Nico_GER7]

Basically what I showed in the last video. The exact number of kn in difference is semi-relevant as it would differ in each water condition.

[@thomasberglund288]

Would have been nice to see what speed you could get with the combo; speedster/Isonic!

[@NirHL]

Thank you for the video Nico! It was informative while also not too long. I was actually confused by all the boards types until now, so this cleared a lot. I would also love to know what exactly makes each board and fin different from the design perspective.

[@markoconnor680]

👍 Those Windsurfing Slalom actions and descriptions of the same were enjoyable and they were in perfect timing with one another. That's necessary for people who are only learning how to perform them primarily, and experienced people can relate to the actions and routines more clearly also.

[@ger-8485]

Very interesting comparison, especially for intermediate surfers (like me) with only 20-30 days per year on the water. I think, your results are also quite in line with the ones of a similar test by the german "surf" magazine last year (with GA/Tabou gear).

[@MrEduvino]

SUPER!!! only one question: the race sail on the freeride? why not??? well, another one: does the difference of volume affect or they're comparatively the three boards for the same conditions?

[@Halerno]

Hi Nico, tnx for the test. I have no idea who you are, but you have a talent presenting boards in a nice way. I have a Simple board ( Zandvoort NL) from the 80's but could hardly use it because tried it 2 times in my life ... But after I watched your video, I will start again, if I can find a friend who wants to start too ... never too old ... 56 is a good number ;-) Good luck to you.

[@MateuszPiecuch-yg2ei]

I use f2 sx 106 and I think is a great board. I made my first planing gybe on it. Can't wait to sail again 🤙

[@nigel2024]

Hi Nico, Great comparison shootout. Just wondering what the red ropes were on your boom, further back than your harness lines? Keep up the good videos. Nigel Australia

[@paulmertz6666]

Really a great video. I find it interesting when you compare different types of boards, sales and fins. I would consider myself an advanced sailor, but sail performance free ride equipment in conditions under 25 kn. I always wondered what I would gain by moving up to a carbon fin, cambered sail or a full slalom kit.

[@GuettaT7482]

Hi Nico. Great video, once again! After the Futura, I was thinking about the potential of a carbon fin, because I own a Futura and saw the last video about the fins. As if by telepathy you answered it later in the video. I ride p7 acx so maybe the custom fin is a big step up for less money. Thank you very much for the content. Many greetings from Hamburg.

[@olofteulings7591]

Nice video Nico! I sail a full slalom board (Falcon 121 7.0 to 8.4warp) on low winds where the spot also is flat. But with higher winds the chop becomes bigger (1m) and slalomboards (95ltr, 6.2 warp) become much more difficult. So I switch back to freeride or free race for more contact with the water and more control. So I think the height of the chop should also be in such a test. Hang Loose, Olof

[@eamonncoady9823]

Congratulations Nico on the best windsurfing analysis i have ever seen. Please please more of this. The windsurfing market is a money not an issue market. Yet i wont buy because of the effing hyperbole of the market. My latest purchase was a starboard phantom yet i cant sail it for shit because my smallest board is 63 litres. Figures and honest feedback is severely lacking so bloody well done .

[@hdferhdfer4594]

Intersting comparison test. I do not ride as often as i would do. It confirms that Freerace is the best for me. Best compromize regarding performance and fun.

[@katotyson]

Good test , I’d add that it your spot is rough with tide or open water use a free ride/race. Mostly, flat slalom with a race sail.

[@stefanogiusti5423]

Beautiful video, congratulations!!!

[@Diego-qy3qm]

Great analysis, Nico! Very useful

[@horsemadf1]

Great video. It would be good to see how they all go in 1m chop. Also how much difference would a weedy make? We need to use weedies where I sail. I'm thinking of getting a bigger board so I hopefully can get going with a 7m . I'm injured atm and not sure my body will cope with the 7.5m once I heal.

[@vincenzo_outdoors]

Still using my 2012 Futura and very happy with it 😊

[@tomattbwindsurfing]

Great comparisons. It was interesting to hear your description of the Carve being well connected to the water but still very capable. I own a 2022 Carve 109 and 129 and I’m extremely happy with both and agree with your assessment. I’m heading to Bonaire so I will have a test ride on the Futura but I’m not going near the Isonic 😮. Great to see you are feeling better! Hi Lars 🤙🏼

[@LarsWcmn]

Hi Tom

[@simongodfrey3765]

Thanks Nico, great comparison. I was really hoping to see the difference with the Chopper fin in the freerace board, so that the only difference was the board, but still a great video. I really enjoy your material.

[@Nico_GER7]

This question should have been answered in the last video. The exact numbers are not really relevant, because they would change in different conditions. The main thing to remember is that it does make a major difference most of the time. :-)

[@anpersso]

Windsurfing is just the coolest sport…. Reading all the comments its just amazing how aligned the interest is and how passionate we are!! 🙂🙂

[@anpersso]

I sail JP Super Sport 113 with RS9 or a NP Ryde no cam, and as I am getting older the RS9 is just sooo heavy and hard work, but silly fast…. However the Ryde gives me similar feeling of speed and being so much lighter and easier to handle out of the water it is a completely different experience!!

[@martijnmobach2514]

super test , really nice

[@rasmussvenden1562]

Amazing place to surf, when there last summer and surfed with Bjorn Dunkerbeck rental shop. He also join a few days himself and got some great advice som him. Amazing experience. Great video 🎉🎉

[@leoncleiren5469]

really like this comparison and set up. i wish the magazines would take these approaches too and document speeds achieved. some recommendations: it had been nice if you had put lars on the same combinations too, to see the difference f while representing the the more hobby surfers (it might had demonstrated that the hobby surfers reach better speeds at less complex boards). Also this would have resulted in a range of speeds to be expected (i would argue hobby surfers would have difficulty to reach the speeds you had on the future with (free)race sails also. also a 120l board futura does not compare to a 107l boards of carve/isonic. it would have been more objective, if these variables would stay ballpark the same too. complete with indicating windranges measured when sailing the various combos too.keep up the good work of making windsurfing great again!

[@Mrc1972able]

The funny thing is Nico that i came to ur site wanted to learn more about windfoiling after been a windsurfer for 30 years but now i’m probably more thrilled to stay windsurfing and forget the foiling after seeing these test with the futura .. 😀😀 either way it will be back on the water again for sure thank you!

[@jeroenhessel7535]

Once again a super cool video. Great to see the difference between the boards. I switched from3 a freeride board to a freerace board and also carbon Zfins since last year. What a difference that made. I am now sailing a Goya Bolt 117. With either an NP V8 8.2 or an NP Hellcat 6.6

[@nobbyraish56]

It seems to me to be completely consistent with my experience, as my Vmax 2s is 32.09 knots (with a freeride/freerace board (Fanatic Blast 100), a no-cam slalom sail (Gun Rapid 6.2) and freerace fin (Zulu Iklwa 32)) Nice job !

[@gert-jantegronde]

The Futura with a freerace camber sail is the best combination. I use a Gaastra Cosmic 2021 myself, but a GA Phantom or NP V8 is also great.

[@surfersphere]

Thanks for the comparison!💯

[@slickvisualpoetry]

Hi Nico, I've got a bit of a weird board collection. I use a 129 85 cm RRD slalom board from 2012 with an altered fin box. That's why, I can use it for slalom and foiling. Additionally, I've got two Surfline Munich multi-fin freeriders (120l and 186l.) I try to go on the wide slalom board if the chop allows for that and once I get tired, I switch to one of the two freeride boards, depending on the conditions. What you are saying about the carve rings true for the Surfline boards as well, they stay attached to the water easily. In order to not bump your way through the chop, you actually have to lift the bards a bit with your front leg. I guess it is a question of (poor) technique, but so far I managed to hit 30 kts only on the smaller freerider in nuclear conditions with a borrowed 5.0 sail from the late 90s. I can still remember when I went on the slalom board for the first time: My thighs were burning, and I was getting cramps in my calves. It definitely takes some getting used to, but going for a slalom-board can also make windsurfing more of a cardio and strength workout.

[@mmilhazes]

Awesome!! Nothing like a camber sail on a freerace or slalom board!! I have had Futuras then changed to Isonics and in the future I will go back to the Futuras as I Am getting older 😅😅

[@1bertoutube]

Very interesting, thanks!

[@mariovandevelde3885]

Nice! Maybe next time you can also compare the racesail with a sail like the V8?

[@my7thlyf]

Conditions on your local spot have a lot to do with choice of board I guess. I really enjoy my isonic 107 on the flat but elsewhere with a lot of swell it is much harder to control. I suppose the futura is the better choice there.

[@sergebonichi9635]

Thanks 🙏 Great job. Looks like my next board will be free race 😜🔥🔥🔥

[@LOsurfVE]

This editing. Probs to Lars. Super interesting and enjoyable video 🤙

[@LarsWcmn]

😊😊

[@kenzephyr]

Great video as usual - it would have been interesting to put the chopper fin on the futura and see how that works . Also a true freerace sail like the V8 compared to freeride and Race would definitely been cool to know what kind of results it would provide. A good carbon fin makes a hell of a difference . Really enjoyed watching 🤙🏼

[@tuurvandenbroeck1230]

quality of video's is getting better and better, great job on editing all togheter in 15min video tho would like to see more in detail slalom and speed especially boring tuning and skill details. Me personally always use full on slalom just to be sure that its not the gear😆

[@Lindhofguitar]

Very interesting. Not many of us have Nicos level though, so the difference will maybe less for us. +30 knots is a lot for most average windsurfers. Anyway, there are lots of other variables, and it's far from us all who have the access to such conditions as in this video. And for this the Carves become real world boards for most of us. For example I mostly use my Carve 135 freeride board with a three cam slalom sail and a Drake slalom fin. This is very speedy and perfectly fine and it adds a couple of knots to the overall performance. With the straps in a more inboard position I can throw it around in chop surprisingly well for its size with a 5.7 wave sail, and planing jibes are seriousely fast then. It even goes fine with a 9.2 sail in 12 - 14 knots. A slalom board is faster but much more specific (I have an iSonic 122 too, and it's an excellent board for racing :-) It could be fun to see a test of these boards in choppy conditions too. All the best Per - Denmark

[@bertvwveldman3931]

Kool show mate And you know my wishlist, bigger wavesticks vs freeridez

[@Skifff89]

Man the lightsaber effects xD

[@marcodefelice3444]

hello Nico nice to see you in action with this test that helps us in the choice of equipment, especially for many who are not lucky enough to have a surf center available. But I ask you how many knots of wind there were, and whether it was constant or not?

[@Oscar-nl3tg]

I totally agree with your recommendation Nico. I restarted last year after a 30 year break. Bought a second hand Isonic 87 liter and a 110 liter Futura. Still did not manage to get a higher speed of of the Isonic (same day same sail)and the Futura gibes so much easier. Probably switch to a small and a medium Futura and give up the Isonic.

[@DrGiourkas]

Great vid Nico! Thank you so much! What about putting race sail and a better powerbox fin on the freeride board? Would that make a difference?

[@royfroud7580]

Also depends on sea state. My local spot has a lot of wind against tide conditions which creates chop. A FSW is a lot easier and controllable in these conditions and when, occasionally the chop becomes some decent swell, can be turned between the 'waves' in a more slashy style.

[@vincereid8412]

I wish I'd know all this years ago when I started trying to learn footstraps / harness / planing etc on a Freerace board, and wondered why I was having problems. I still have the board and love it now, but it would have shortened the learning curve to start on a Freeride board.

[@Dabullizer]

Really luvin`those slowmos...

[@margovesselov]

Do use freerace boards “Patrik F-Race” 120 and 150L, also use older SuperX F2 XTC 103L board for hi wind, whitch still feel great. Do use these boards with proper carbon Z-Fins, mainly SLM’s and with Race Loft Blade or with Freerace Gun Vector sails. Did use Slalom boards before but Freerace boards are as fast but easyer for aging and not so fit body, can sail fast longer.

[@6977202865]

I have watched 2:30 mins so far and i can tell that will be a super good video. Compare freeride with freewave as well!!! Excellent video. Well done!!

[@krzysztofsiejka1978]

If possible, it would be nice to see a test of freeride board with freeride sail and slalom board with slalom sail. Then swap the sails between the boards and see if the freeride board will be faster and if the slalom board will be slower?

[@slogo8879]

Very nice video as always. Regarding the gybe on the Futura it actually also looked easier for you than on the Isonic, I was wondering about it and then you confirmed it. Probably has to do with the thickness and rocker of the boards.

[@StanislavMayer]

Hello Nico, I use Tabou Rocket 135 LTD (year +/- around 2015) Trying to do first plaining jibe ...

[@cencio26]

As you said it would be nice to compare the standard fin and a good fin (like your Chopper) to understand how much it influence the speed. Great video anyway!

[@rtz549]

I liked that shot when you had the board on the rail.

[@towerdave4836]

As a 74' year old im relictant to invest any more in my kit! My 115 isonic still great on flat water and is actually good with 4.5 to 6 metre sails. Hate larger kit. In choppy or wavy conditions i have 78 Kode. All my kit is relatively old now but is still fun on the water. Not the message that kit manufacturers want to hear i guess!

[@hansisigarre]

Thanks Nico, it becomes clear for me that a freerace board will be best suited for me. I’m on a JP freeride 118 liters right now but consider changing to a freeracer around 140 liters. I’m 1.91 m and 88 kg.

[@PetrosDimitriouE]

Thanks Nico. Very inspiring and interesting info and experience you shared with us. I am an old school windsurfer and would be interesting to compare such boards with the newer freeride/freerace and slalom boards. Let me know if interested, happy to give out my boards to you

[@Kleeblatt2304]

Just a quick suggestion: I would be interesting to see the same comparison but with all 3 board types having similar widths and with all sail sizes having similar sizes. You rode the race sail smaller (6.6 sqm) than the freerace sail. Wouldn´t you normally use a bigger size on the race sail?

[@philippevdvoort]

Great video Nico, I’m waiting for my pre ordered Fanatic Jag 2023 🤪, recommended by Jordy from Surfcenter of course 🤙. Freerace is the best choice for me at my flat water home spot and Lake Garda for instance, powered by Duotone S-Pace sails. I’m having also lots of fun with a smaller 2022 Fanatic Blast in stronger winds, it’s fast with very little input en gibes fantastic! See you in the shop!

[@Nico_GER7]

Niceee!! Really cool. Nothing better than receiving a new toy 🤩

[@weetwiki]

nice video thank you very much ! Hope you will do the same job with foil stuff ! I use my 7.7 speedster in freerace foil mode with SB foil freeride 150 and Ilove it so much ! happy new year Nico !

[@hamishhandley3402]

Very interesting comparison. My experience is that some smaller free ride boards are as fast as slalom boards in windy rough water conditions for sailors who are not professional level

[@ChocoSindos]

Great video again Nico, I picked up a near new 6.4m 2013 NP RS EVO 5 and what a sail, this thing pulls like a train and the power is nice and low compared to my 6.6m evo Xll which is more neutral, it would be great test to compare the older RS racing sails against the heavily foil influenced modern counterparts, which is faster?

[@justelis5179]

Hello Nico. I personaly use 81cm wide tabou rocket+(freerace) board with 44cm Z-fin. I love the combo. By the way idea for the future videos. You could make a video like comparising futura vs isonic. With proper fins and slalom sails. Like you could bring good windsurfer to help you to do race with you. And after race or two you could switch boards and do the same thing. Then we can realy see the diference between freerace and slalom board :) Love your videos!

[@BillBradstreet]

Futura 117L is my primary. 77cm wide. I use it with a Duotone S_Pace 8.3m, 7.3m and E_Pace 6.6m. I like the combo, but I find it gets a bit squirrelly when in rough conditions. For my home site, though, it is great.

[@yoninesher1704]

hi Nico! I have a question I was hoping you'll be able to answer. I've been following you for a long time in the different media, so I know you use the i-sonic board. I'm looking to replace my free-race board which I'm using for sails 7.3-8.6. currently it's a 2021 futura 77. It's ok, but since it's quite wide for it's liters (116L) it gets really bumpy in choppy water, so speed is not that high and the ride is not so smooth. in light swell it's great though. So I have a chance buying a 2022 isonic 73. I'm quite confused as it seems like a very big volume so although it's narrower in width, I suspect it will be bumpy as well if rough chops. for high winds a use a slalom board future fly dark horse 97. Another option is to get a new futura 71. I'm 90KG btw, using Point7 AC-One and DueTone S-Pace sails 7.3, 7,8,7.9 and 8.6 with this board (+ Z-Fins SLM). Would glad glad to hear if the i-sonic 73 which is 124(!) liters will be good for me.

[@galensk]

Nice review Nico 👍, thank you … It shows I didn’t test my 2022 futura77 / Z-fin / and 6,3 racing sail combination to its full potential… 😊🤙🤙

[@AdamAdam-qw5cl]

Pretty cool vid as usual. Why do you (and everyone) choose the fin size related to the board, instead of the sail size?

[@lifeonthebay2974]

Great video and Excellent comparison. 👌🏼

[@corrdude]

Hi...typical for me at 215 lb is 2020 6.5 ezzy lion with cams on 2020 123l rocketwide at crissy field SF when it's 16-20 knots ebbing or 18-30 knots flooding.

[@firstnamelastname2669]

Hate to quibble but the Speedster is the same sail on both the Carve & Futura ; so no cam freerace right for both right? Did the wind pickup, I see you went to 6.6? Out of interest Boards mag once did a similar test and their favourite combo was twin cam on a freeride board. Different perspective of course. It's no surprise that there are always some compromise, but it sounds the way to gain speed with least compromise is the chopper fin. Have to wonder how well it would work on the Futura. Keep up the good work. I was going to say hard work, but being in the Canaries can't be a tough gig?

[@vadimkurilenko6373]

Thanks for that, but how about freemove and freestyle wave boards comparison?

[@a1pestservice]

I've had all 3 boards over the years, and the one I would pick is Futura, hands down, easy, fast and can ride all day.

[@timokrassuski1383]

Hey Nico, your videos helped me so much to improve my windsurfing and now even got me into slalom. It's time to change my big Freeride board to a Slalom board, but I struggle which size to pick. I got am 101 L 65.5 wide Futura for 6.3 and 7.1 3Cam sails, which I can get up to 34 knots . Now I would like a bigger Board to handle an 8.6 3cam and maybe the 7.1 on gusty days. I'm 193 cm tall, 73kg, and physically quiet fit (mainly Bouldering and Handball). Would you say to go for the really wide boards like 85cm would make sense or to go for something around 75 to 80cm because I'm quite light weight?

[@paulburger14]

I’m a recreational racer my 3 boards are Isonic 137 Isonic 110 and Futura 97. I could not agree more with Nico. Every chance I get I’m on the Futura. I sail once a week and it is not enough to keep the fitness up for a small iSonic, on the 137 it is easier because of the water state. The supplied Drake 36 fin is nice but a 34 Z gives me 1.5Kts extra on a 6.2 sail

[@thomasfolan2716]

Very interesting Nico. Which board/sail/fin combo would your recommend for your father ?