JP FREEFOIL 130 LXT 2022 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
With plenty of well positioned fittings and features, this 130 really is a master of many disciplines. A great tutor for the novice wind or wing foiler, its appeal stretches well beyond, with the balance, comfort and response to make it a great deal of fun for the experienced foiler too.
THE LOWDOWN
The FreeFoil has been in the JP range for several years now, released late in the 2020 season. This 130 is the largest of the family and like the 115 is available in either LXT (as tested here) or the brand’s price-pointed Epoxy Sandwich (ES) construction. Designed to be user-friendly and compatible for all styles of wind foiling, from blasting to more manoeuvre-oriented riding, the FreeFoil also caters for winging, with the introduction of extra features, such as the extended deck pad, additional strap positions further forward, a carry handle in the hull and a leash plug on the tail. This 130 in particular is recognised by JP for being ideal for the novice foiler, with a little extra length to make take-offs easier and any touchdown recoverable. On the underside the bottom shape is clean and quite minimalist, with subtle bevels in the nose and no cut-outs in the tail. There’s a Deep Tuttle foil box for a wind foil specific foil, or large US tracks (with a visible scale incorporated for easy foil placement) for those with a plate fitting, maximising setup compatibility and tuneability. Tipping the scales at 9.7 kg, it is not light, yet not surprising with all the extra fittings and features included in its make up.
BRAND CLAIM
“Ideal for all types of freeride foiling. Whether it be just cruising along, riding strapless, riding with footstraps, wave foiling, wing surfing, teaching people how to foil behind a boat, or even freestyle, this board can do it all, and does it all REALLY WELL! Suitable for all conditions and levels.”
PERFORMANCE
Despite perhaps not feeling as buoyant as a conventional ‘fin’ board of 130 litres would feel underfoot, the FreeFoil 130 nonetheless offers plenty of ease and stability for uphauling and rig/weight carrying. Partnered with a medium to low aspect Tuttle box foil initially, the straps were placed in their outboard positions to explore its potential in cruising/freeride mode. Gathering pace smoothly as power is supplied, the 130’s straps are ideally placed, making them easy to locate before the board glides up into flight. The slight dome to the deck provides comfort underfoot, the straps and diamond grooved deckpad offering plenty of feel and connection. What is more, there’s a real sense of ease and dependability about the 130 – it feels solid and assured, with balance between both feet, the mast track, footstraps and foil track all well-considered to help contribute to the sense of security. Comfortable for use over long periods and covering great distances, its dependable nature is also apparent during the gybe, the old front strap easy to twist out of, whilst the ride height is smoothly maintained through the back foot. A great tutor for the progressing rider, the 130 has the life and balance to appeal to the more experienced recreational foiler too. It’s not suited for loading with a high-aspect foil for racing, yet has the manners and compact nature to be thrown into carving trickery, such as foiling duck gybes or downwind 360s. Swapping the foil into the tracks, and shifting it forward, the 130 also makes a fantastic platform for learning to wing. Gaining momentum effortlessly as power is applied, the tail releases easily as weight is shifted to the back foot. There are strap options supplied for winging too, albeit the flat deck along the centreline and deckpad provide ample traction to go strapless initially.
VITAL STATS
Price: LXT: £1799.00 ES: £1399.00
Volume (Quoted): 130L.
Length: 207 cm.
Width: 77 cm.
1ft off: 60.0 cm.
Bottom shape: Starts with a vee with double concave and subtle bevels, which then transitions into a mono-concave from the mid-section all the way to the tail.
Weight (‘Naked’): 9.7 kg.
Foil Box: Deep Tuttle and Foil Track (35 cm.)
Sail Range (Quoted): <7.0m
Sizes Available: 105, 115, 130.
JP FREEFOIL 130 LXT 2022 TEST REVIEW
THE LINEUP
STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 150 STARLITE CARBON