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RRD X-Fire Action-631x420

RRD X-FIRE 102L 2013 TEST REVIEW

Stats Volume (L) 102 Weight (Kg) 8.6 Length (cm) 235 Width (cm) 65 Construction Ltd Edition Pro Fin Single MFC Freewave 29 Price £1475

RRD X-Fire

RRD X-FIRE 102L 2013 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW DOWN

The X-Fire is RRD’s top-end slalom board line, with the V4 tested here as-ridden to victory by 2012 World Champion Antoine Albeau. For 2013 the range has been tuned-up further featuring a new ‘Toro Tail’ to reduce wetted surface area using modified cut-outs and improved rail profiles. As we publish there’s a new V5 now available.

AT-A-GLANCE

Widest in test and joint lightest

Highest quoted volume

DaKine footstraps

Scooped deck and angled mast track

Wide blunt nose with squash tail winger

Large stepped cut-outs in the tail

Tuttle fin box

Fairly flat, thin-railed hull throughout with deep vee in the middle

TT tail (Toro Tail) for better control and improved water release.

Biaxial Carbon construction

PERFORMANCE

The width and volume make for a very stable feeling platform that predictably accelerates well onto the plane and has you swiftly in the straps. There’s a nice low-in-the-water feeling from the thin, trademark RRD rails, which never stuck to chop and encouraged an aggressive, upright stance. Standing tall over the cut-out tail you’re set to go as fast as you dare, and then some probably. Quite frankly, this board is terrifyingly fast, especially off wind. At the corners it has a nervy, highly versatile gybing style that gives heaps of feedback through every inch of the turn and scope to modify almost any arc – it’s easy to feel the potential of its mark-rounding prowess as already proven on the racecourse.

THE VERDICT

High speed and hi-tech, this board is seriously fast in a straight line, with a limitless top end that we didn’t even get close to reaching! Around the corners it’s also quick, but does require commitment. In the right hands it will be devastating in the racing environment but is not a hull for the feint-hearted or ill-experienced. Highly recommended for the skilled racer or high-speed thrill seeker, plus there’s also a new V5 model just out now!

ROBERTORICCIDESIGNS.COM

 

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