Windsurf MagazineRRD FIRE Y27 6.8 2023 TEST REVIEW

7.0 NO-CAM FREERACE SAIL CATCH-UP TEST

The Verdict

The Fire impresses with its light, compact design that effortlessly balances power and finesse, adapting seamlessly to varied wind conditions. It offers agile turns and unparalleled stability, even at high speeds.

The Lowdown

The Fire is up next and is RRD’s performance freeride sail that evolves through the sizes to ensure each size is designed to fit its most common use. The adaptability and efficiency of the Fire, tailored for riders of all skill levels, is what truly sets it apart.

The brilliance of the Fire begins with its size-specific battens. For sizes ranging from 5.0 to 5.7, it boasts five battens, focusing on improved control and manoeuvrability, making it ideal for riders who relish executing sharp turns and quick movements. On the other hand, sizes from 6.3 to 6.8 incorporate six battens, accentuating stability and drive, tailor-made for those in pursuit of a steady, robust ride. The 7.2 to 7.6 range, equipped with seven battens, is meticulously designed for top-end control and blistering speed, truly crafted for adrenaline seekers. The largest in the range, 7.8 to 9.0, not only comes with seven battens but also integrates two cams, ensuring low-end power for early planing, coupled with stability at peak speeds.

Beyond the battens, the Fire rigs easily, achieving significant skin tension whilst displaying a moderate amount of luff curve. Its negative leech curve design further promises more control, moving away from traditional leech designs. An innovative stretch control seam, strategically integrated through the window, provides an additional layer of stability, ensuring the sail consistently retains its desired shape. Additionally, the Power-Clew System stands out, offering riders a vast tuning range, ensuring every windsurfing enthusiast can fine-tune their experience down to the minutest detail. To top it all, the integrated trim system guarantees simple rigging every single time. Set the sail on the minimum setting for a tight leach with minimal twist, or crank it to its maximum setting to see the leach twist away right from the mid leech.

Brand Claim

“Performance freeride at its best. The Fire is a dynamic range of sails, enhanced in each wind range for optimum usage, basically 4 ranges in 1.”

Performance

Hold the Fire, and you’ll note its deceptive lightness. Compact and nimble, it might even come across as understated compared to its stated size. Yet, when it’s game time, the Fire belies its initial impressions. When gusts kiss its surface, a deep surge of power originates from its low and forward draft, pushing the board with impeccable efficiency. In softer winds, instead of brute strength, the Fire relies on finesse. It’s a sail that nudges the rider to be dynamic in generating power.

Glide with it and discover the thrill of acceleration that settles, almost paradoxically, into a serene, locked-in harmony with the wind. Each gust heightens its ability, and in these moments, the Fire transforms into a whirlwind of speed and efficiency. Astonishingly, the faster it races, the more it feels like a weightless whisper in the hands. As the breeze builds, simply adjusting to the lower clew eyelet stabilises the rig, showcasing a range that truly astounds. And then there’s the Fire’s agility in the turns, reminiscent of a graceful dancer. It rotates seamlessly, readying for the next burst of speed on the opposite tack. Through every curve and carve, the Fire remains reliably stable, its twist impeccable.