DUOTONE: GRIP 4 SLS & GRIP 3 SLS
Duotone have just launched the new Grip 4 SLS and the GRIP 3 SLS, check below for all the details!
TAKE YOUR RIDING TO THE NEXT LEVEL
GRIP 3 SLS – completely redesigned as a true thruster wave board
GRIP 4 SLS – refined to optimise performance and reduce weight
Overall weight reduction of 400-500g yet with 1-YEAR UNLIMITED WARRANTY
Do you want to rip and fly like a pro at your home spot and wherever you travel to?
Well then you have come to the right place because we design all our products to work in as many different conditions as possible, rather than creating special onshore, side shore or even asymmetric boards that only work in very limited conditions/spots. Such boards might give you a slight edge in super extreme conditions, but custom boards also often turn out to be a surprise egg.
Our GRIP SLS boards are constantly evolving designs and constructions to ensure we are continuously at the forefront of development yet with over 40 years of experience. We call them World Cup Wave boards as they are engineered to satisfy the best of the best on all kind of spots around the globe, from jumping-oriented side-on conditions like Pozo to down-the-line groundswell conditions like Ho’okipa.
During development, the major inputs came from three-time PWA Wave World Champion Victor Fernandez and the highest-ranked future Wave Champ contender Marc Paré. These guys are not just 2 of the best wave sailors on the planet, but they both have a very contest-oriented riding style. Therefore, instead of demanding super specialised and extreme shapes they always aim for:
Boards that are super balanced and easy to control in all kinds of conditions without taking on a life of their own, to score maximum turns and jumps.
Boards that are super versatile to sail and allow front- and back foot riding to get the most out of each wave even when the conditions are changing.
Boards offering a maximum wind range to avoid being forced to switch boards during the heat. Well, isn’t that exactly what we all expect from our wave board? And that’s why Marc and Victor are our most important assets in the development process. In fact, all our GRIP SLS production boards are exact replicas of their best boards from the PWA tour.
Now the most important question you need to ask yourself is which fin configuration best suits your personal riding style:
The GRIP 4 SLS with its Quad fin configuration gives you maximum drive and grip for committed rail to rail turns, even in XXL waves.
The GRIP 3 SLS has a slightly better acceleration due an efficient rocker with a lower-drag entry, which is especially helpful in jumping conditions. The Thruster fin configuration allows for earlier tail release for tighter/slashier turns, even in smaller waves.
At DUOTONE, the main objectives for all our products are weight saving but at no cost of durability and offering an unmatched plug & play setup, because these are exactly the 2 things that help everyone, from beginner to World champion.
Here is what we did to the 20.24 GRIP SLS line-up:
No 5 multi-setup fin-boxes: this just adds unnecessary weight and drag and is always a compromise since every fin configuration requires a different board shape (bottom and rail shape, outline, scoop-rocker line) to exploit its full potential. It also prevents the board from becoming tail-heavy/sticky. Plus finding a good working setup with 5 boxes is just the opposite of plug & play.
The mini mast track reduces the weight in the critical nose area. It also reduces the risk to misplace your mast base while still providing just the right amount of length adjustment for all riding styles and sail sizes.
The mini side fin boxes no longer offer any adjustment to prevent misplacing your fins. Now all adjustability for different riding styles and sail sizes is done through the centre fin(s) only – simple and lightweight!
Our exclusive layup based on over 40 years of experience got refined by DUOTONE product manager boards Dani Äberli and implementation specialist + QC manager Vasin Siritho.
Even the artwork got weight optimised by minimising heavy PVC stickers.
All these efforts add up to a noticeable weight reduction of 400-500g (depending on the board size) without compromising our bombproof durability. In fact, we are so confident about this new construction that as the first production brand ever we offer a 1-YEAR UNLIMITED WARRANTY on breakage on all our GRIP SLS boards: STRONG-LIGHT-SUPERIOR! In addition, they simply work to their best right out of the box, just plug & shred.
Your new GRIP SLS dream machines are ready and waiting for you to take your riding to the next level!
PERFECT SAIL MATCH: SUPER_HERO / SUPER_HERO SLS
SHAPE DETAILS: GRIP 4 SLS
Fin configuration: Quad for maximum drive and grip
Rail shape: thinned out rails towards the tail and nose for maximum drive
Deck shape: reduced dome deck shape results in a more stable/balanced stance, especially in drift & ride conditions
Outline: approx. 6cm longer than the GRIP 3 SLS with a very similar max. width. The narrower nose and swallow tail result in a more curved rail outline in the middle to balance the enormous grip of the 4 fins.
Bottom shape: progressive double concave V front to back – ideal compromise between performance, manoeuvrability and control
Rockerline: slightly more nose and tail rocker. The tail rocker balances the enormous grip of the 4 fins.
SHAPE DETAILS: GRIP 3 SLS
Fin configuration: Thruster for better acceleration and earlier tail release
Rail shape: only slightly thinned out rails in the tail and nose, ideal for slashy turns
Deck shape: reduced dome deck shape results in a more stable/balanced stance, especially in drift & ride conditions
Outline: approx. 6cm shorter than the GRIP 4 SLS with a very similar max. width. The wider nose and swallow tail result in a more parallel rail outline in the centre to balance the slashy Thruster fin configuration.
Bottom shape: progressive double concave V front to back – ideal compromise between performance, manoeuvrability and control. The unique tail channel provides additional grip for the Thruster fin configuration.
Rockerline: disconnected Rocker – faster surfing scoop-rocker line in the centre combined with more rail rocker due to the progressive V in the tail. The slightly reduced centre rocker prevents the Thruster fin configuration from releasing too early.
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