Windsurf MagazineFANATIC BLAST LTD 132 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

The Fanatic is a gybing connoisseur. Capable of assisting you through a variety of gybing styles, the Blast makes a planing exit easier than ever.

The Lowdown

Produced in four sizes from 100 to 147 litres, the Blast LTD is Fanatic’s performance freeride board. Built with the brand’s full PVC Biax Fibre technology, with the goal of optimising weight, stiffness and flex ratio. Provided with a Fanatic Choco 42 fin, the Blast LTD is constructed with a foil-ready Tuttle box, increasing its versatility and making it a true crossover freeride board.

Rounded in the nose, the Blast LTD has long parallel rails that are noticeably thick and full. Rearward of the hips, the board pins in slightly to a subtle diamond tail. The underside of the board displays a double concave with vee throughout, and at the board’s tail, two small cutouts are present. Fanatic say that, “we purposely make the Blast narrower than the similar sized Fanatic Eagle and other classic freeriders – this gives the board the “feels smaller than it is” feeling, but the straighter outline balances out any loss in planing due to the extra power it generates.” Coming complete with the brand’s premium footstraps mounted above comfortable dual-density foam pads, the Blast LTD can be set up with an inboard or outboard riding stance to suit varying styles. Interestingly the front footstraps on the Blast LTD sit slightly more forward facing than straps on other boards.

The Blast has a classic Fanatic look. Finished in the brand’s flagship purple colourway and emblazoned with geometric lines that add a futuristic feel to the classic look. With the Blast testing well in the past, read on to see if Fanatic has matched the paintwork with the performance.

Brand Claim

The Blast is our performance freeride board. It offers blistering acceleration and a stable platform for speed and control over chop.

Performance

Step on the Blast LTD, and you will immediately notice that it feels slightly different from other boards. Fanatic has gone out of their way to create something that is all about making the rider better. The first notable quality is its low planning threshold. The board planes very early, even at a low speed, meaning the rider is not rushed into the footstraps, nor are they forced to take on large amounts of power in the rig to get the board moving. This makes for a smooth transition to full speed, even in gusty conditions. Once at full speed, the board tracks well on a reach or off the wind and produces the feeling of a smaller board, but with the same power and planing ability as a bigger board due to its straighter outline. As you head upwind, the Blast LTD requires you to listen to the feelings in your feet as it asks not to be pushed too hard and instead, is given some room to breathe as it gently climbs upwind. There is no doubt what this board is all about however. Initiate a gybe, and you will instantly notice the Blast’s exceptional abilities. Incredibly versatile whilst also being hugely forgiving, the Blast is an excellent teacher and is sure to have you fully planing on the exit, whether you’re looking to dig the rail in and sharpen the turn, or looking for a long arcing gybe. The soft rails on the board provide an abundance of support at every stage of the turn, producing a buoyant feel and encouraging you to commit with every ounce of confidence. Even if speed is lost through the turn, the board’s low planing threshold ensures that there is never any sticky feeling from the underside of the board, which allows you to be very consistent with body positioning in every turn.