RRD FIRESTORM LTE Y25 120 2022 TEST REVIEW
VERDICT
Direct and involving to sail, the Firestorm remains the classic freerace platform, with the added bonus of being foil compatible. Taking a little more power and time to fully crank up to speed, the LTE’s performance is still very much present, rewarding those that commit and put the energy into their riding style.
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- RRD Firestorm LTE Y25 120
THE LOWDOWN
The Firestorm is back in the test lineup this year, being the ideal match for the freeride/blasting criteria and brief. Sitting alongside the Freestyle Wave and Firemove in the brand’s ‘Free Line’ family, we tested the 120 in LTD construction last year, so this season we’re testing it in the more price-pointed LTE construction, albeit still ringing the till at over £2K. Harking back to the brand’s Y25 season, this particular generation of Firestorm is into its third season, with each of the three sizes displaying contemporary features, such as parallel rails, stepped wingers and a squashed diamond nose, giving it a somewhat boxy outline. The wood laminate of the LTE construction is visible through the white graphic of the deck, and the fittings supplied are identical to that of the LTD version, with an MFC H1 fin, thin diamond-grooved deckpads, and a foil-ready Tuttle box (also present in the 135). The Da Kine straps supplied require time and patience to adjust to the right size, particularly in the winter months if wearing boots, and are quite stiff initially, but rest assured that they do ease up over time. When we tested the Firestorm last season, we were impressed by its direct and involving ride, thriving on being ‘bossed’ and commanded by the rider to really explore its potential. Would the same be true of the LTE version?
BRAND CLAIM
“The Firestorm is a killer freerace machine with a pure-blooded slalom DNA. You’ll easily find a perfect trim over any type of water surface to allow you being on the tip of your top speed potential at all times.”
PERFORMANCE
After last year’s test, the LTD Firestorm stayed with us for demo in the centre, so we’re now very familiar with it and its capabilities. So, how does this LTE version compare? Well, not surprisingly, it performs very similarly. It is more compact underfoot than others in this test group, yet has plenty of directional stability thanks to the large 42 cm fin supplied. As a gust hits and power is delivered, the 120 responds smoothly and progressively, winding up to speed rather than accelerating instantaneously. The extra weight and differing material layup of the LTE construction can be perhaps be attributed to this, the board feeling a little less crisp or reactive compared to its LTD counterpart. Keep ploughing in the power though and the performance is undoubtedly still there, encouraging the rider into a fully committed stance off the back of the board. It’s as if the rider needs to work a little harder, making the performance all the more rewarding once achieved. As with the LTD version, the ride on the 120 is direct and involving, with the thin pads and hard straps undoubtedly contributing to this sensation. In powered to overpowered conditions the 42 cm fin supplied feels large, as if it is holding the board back somewhat. Swap it out for a 38 cm fin and the Firestorm instantly becomes more controllable and settled, helping to keep the hammer down, whatever the sea state. In the gybe, the Firestorm still very much responds best to a more confident and committed riding style, helping to make use of the narrow tail outline and drive hard throughout the turn. Keep the power on and driving late through the turn and it will exit as quickly as it entered, much like its slalom board stablemate. If you’re on a bit of a budget and can’t afford the LTD version of the Firestorm, this LTE version may take a little more input and patience, yet undoubtedly has the same performance credentials.
WEBSITE www.robertoriccidesigns.com
RRD FIRESTORM LTE Y25 120 2022 TEST REVIEW
VITAL STATS
Price: BLACK RIBBON: £2749.00 LTD: £2474.00 LTE: £2062.00
Volume (Quoted): 120 L.
Length: 234 cm
Width: 70 cm
1ft off: 48.6 cm
Bottom shape: Vee with subtle double concaves in the nose, shoulders and mid-section, the vee fading to just a subtle amount of double under the straps, with rounded vee in the tail.
Weight (Naked): 7.8 kg
Fin: MFC H-1 RACING BLACK G-10 42 (Foil Tuttle)
Sail Range (Quoted): 6.0-8.4m
Sizes Available: 105, 120, 135.
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