Windsurf MagazineRRD POWERMOVE LTE 104 2023 TEST REVIEW

Verdict
A very different and exciting board, the RRD Powermove combines some extreme features to produce something new and special. At speed, the board moves well, gliding through lulls with ease despite its rounded outline. Extremely playful through the turns with the extra volume in the tail providing kindly received support on the exit of gybes.

: RRD POWERMOVE LTE 104

The Lowdown
New to the 2023 season, the Powermove is an exciting addition to the RRD freeride board range and is a bump and jump specialist that sits between the Freestyle Wave and the Firemove. With a faster and more accessible feel than the Freestyle Wave but more manoeuvrable than the Firemove, the board is designed to improve blasting and gybing capabilities whilst also having the ability to double up as a wave board for smaller conditions. The Powermove is a new addition to the RRD lineup. The board’s rocker line is fast, with a relatively long flat section to aid its acceleration and blasting speed. With a fair amount of volume at the tail of the board, the Powermove has some slight freestyle qualities about it. Move your gaze to the front of the board however, and you will find a very surf-like outline suggesting the board is capable of managing decent waves. Like many crossover boards, the Powermove’s rails are relatively parallel, which, combined with the fast rocker, suggests this board will have a fast release. The board comes with a main power box and a MFC Freewave 30 cm G10 fin, but also has two slot box side boxes to set it up as a thruster if you wish. On test, here we have the LTE construction, the brand’s wood technology, which combines strength and lightness by adding specific reinforcements underneath the wood laminate. The layers are combined to reinforce the areas of the board which receive the most stress. Both deck and bottom are laminated using a 0.6 mm wood veneer, and Biaxial Glass fibres with a solid PVC reinforced bottom.

Brand Claim
Whether you’re looking to master blasting control, make more gybes or venture into small waves, the Powermove will be your new go-to board.

Performance
Step foot on the board and you will immediately notice the Powermove feeling a little smaller than its quoted volume. Once up at speed however this feeling is instantly replaced as the increased volume under the tail of the board generates lift and, in turn, provides the board with ample stability. The board feels light and playful, enticing the rider to pop into the air at any given opportunity. The Powermove has some familiar qualities but from different disciplines. The increased volume under the tail and its compact design make it feel almost freestyle-like, making basic freestyle manoeuvres feel extremely accessible. Carve into a turn however, and you suddenly feel the board’s wave components shining through with the sharp nose allowing the rider to dig deep through the arc without any risk of the rail catching. On the exit of gybes, the volume in the tail provides well-needed lift to keep the board moving as long as some speed is maintained. Though a wrong step on the gybe can lead to a challenging exit where the board’s small feel becomes apparent. Overall the board is incredibly exciting, with the potential to open up opportunities for fun, playful windsurfing in a wide range of conditions.