Windsurf MagazineRRD FIREMOVE FLIGHT LTE Y25 135 2022 TEST REVIEW

VERDICT

A unique board with such an eye-catching outline, the Firemove Flight offers real performance and versatility, making it much more than purely a novelty concept. Put off by its appearance? Reserve judgment and give it a go!

THE LOWDOWN

The Freemove Flight is RRD’s windsurfing / wind-foiling crossover machine, of which they claim to it being “the shortest freeride board on the market”. Its short length isn’t the primary observation you make when you first lay eyes on it, however, but its dramatic egg-shaped outline! Its 85cm wide-point is forward of the board’s mid-point, yet quickly rounds to a pin-nose, giving the 135 such a distinct appearance. The idea behind the design is to provide the board with extra control and comfort, with either a fin or a foil in place. In the rear there’s a pronounced wingered tail, to assist in manoeuvrability and around the corners. It is also extremely thin in profile, with a long rocker flat and even volume distribution throughout. Tested here in LTE construction that uses a ‘single shot’ process, it features a wood laminate on deck and hull, which is actually visible through the white deck graphic. And whilst there’s a dearer LTD version, or a price-pointed E-Tech option, this LTE version tipped the scales at 8.19 kg. It comes supplied with four of RRD’s firm Velcro footstraps, which take time and patience to adjust, but set well, and a 44 cm G10 Liquid Pro fin from MFC. There are dual density diamond grooved pads seating inboard and outboard strap positions in the domed rear and a long mast track for cater for the mammoth quoted sail range of 4.0-8.0m.

BRAND CLAIM

“One board to opt for a foil or windsurf session, the FIREMOVE FLIGHT 135 is a convertible windsurf/foil shape that gets you in the water with minimal conditions.”

PERFORMANCE

If there were any doubtful preconceptions of the Firemove Flight’s likely performance prior to use, they were quickly dispelled as we took it onto the water. Firstly, in foiling mode, it is an incredibly stable platform and can take a large rig, up to 7.5m quite easily. Deliver power and it gains forward momentum effortlessly, planing smoothly and providing time to locate the straps. Weight the back foot and it rises into the air, the back straps located suitably in-line with the foil box when using the outboard positions. In flight the 135 feels balanced and controllable, offering good connection to the foil, so that the rider can decide whether to cruise and cover distance, or push harder and explore the foil’s potential. We tried a number of different foils with the 135 and believe that low to medium aspect front wings are ideally suited, providing the performance without the desire to load the RRD too much. In transition, the wide nose provides plenty of room and margin for error during the tack, whilst in the gybe, the tapered tail means that the step over and strap to strap movement is not so extreme to unnerve the novice pilot. It’s when the Flight was used in conventional ‘fin’ mode however that we really found our eyebrows raised. It planes effortlessly, requiring next to no input from the rider. Simply deliver power and the board does the rest! It is also impressively fast, and has great pointing ability, capable of covering large distances in real comfort, the dome of the deck providing just the right shape and traction to push against. In carving gybes, not surprisingly, it needs to be governed, such is the width in the shoulders, and responds best to a proactive style, entering with speed and driving positively throughout. Let the pressure off early and it straightens up. Its shoulder width also became a noticeable distraction in choppy, turbulent seas, which confirmed our belief that the 135 is most at home blasting around on flat water.

www.robertoriccidesigns.com

VITAL STATS

Price: LTD: £2447.00 LTE: £2091.00 E-TECH: £1601.00

Volume (Quoted): 135L.

Length: 225 cm.

Width: 85 cm.

1ft off: 55.8 cm.

Bottom shape: Vee with double throughout, the double diminishing to become straight vee in the tail.

Weight (Naked): 8.19 kg.

Foil Box: Deep Tuttle Foil Box

Sail Range (Quoted): 4.0-8.0m

Sizes Available: 135