Windsurf MagazineSEVERNE ALIEN 125 2021 TEST REVIEW

SEVERNE ALIEN 125 2021 TEST REVIEW

VERDICT

Plug and play freeride foiling at its best, the Alien is as straightforward a wind foiling experience as you’ll find, making it both fun to sail and rightly appealing to many.

THE LOWDOWN

Severne say the Alien is, “Purely designed as a windsurf foil board.” It is a much-anticipated release for the new season, this 125 being the second largest in a four board series, with more sizes and constructions already in the works according to the brand. Every element of its design has been well considered, from volume distribution, length and width, to bottom shape, fittings location and deck shape. The premise was to make a product “stable enough for first flights”, yet delivering enough “performance so as not to be outgrown”. Produced solely in a full PVC sandwich, with carbon and s-glass laminates using the brand’s default compression-moulded process, the Alien is a light board, which will undoubtedly assist early flight. The deckpads are also reduced in thickness for extra weight savings. And interestingly, Severne also offer suggestions for the best compatible sails (and sail sizes) in their series for each Alien size, plus the targeted rider weight.

BRAND CLAIM

“Purely designed as a windsurf foil board, the Alien enables all the variables to work in harmony and move beyond simply balancing on a foil to WINDSURFING on a foil. A functional foil board with refined details that makes foiling both accessible AND desirable.”

PERFORMANCE

Plugging the RedWing foil into the Alien for its first outing, the overwhelming impression you’re left with after the session is one of ease and practicality. The RedWing generates lift at slow speeds, and the Alien is perfectly placed to harness the lift and make the most of it. There is plenty of synergy between the two Severne products, one of the most notable being tuning simplicity. For example, the Alien has just one set of footstrap plugs, making the choice straightforward. You can then just adjust the gait of your stance to suit personal preference. Getting going, the straps are relatively inboard and easy to find, the board rising early and the lift feeling balanced between both feet. The Alien’s deckpads offer secure traction and the deck shape under the heel of the back foot feels elevated to give plenty of connection and impetus with the foil; so much so in fact that you’d be forgiven for feeling your stance is pitched and giving the sensation that you’re sailing downhill, your front foot lower than your rear! It takes a little getting used to as you step onto the Alien from another board, but once adapted to, the benefits are noticeable. It means that the Alien encourages and welcomes you to get your weight forward and onto your front foot, trimming the board flat in gusts and mitigating the chances of breaching. It makes the Alien a great tutor for the novice wind foiler, establishing a more upright foiling posture. Adopt a conventional windsurfing stance and the Alien will let you know it’s wrong through the infliction of subtle but unmistakeable back-leg burn! Swapping the Redwing out for a higher aspect foil, the Alien continues to cope well, providing ample feel and contact at all times. It’s possible to drive the 125 hard whilst retaining complete comfort and balance, with plenty of freerace performance for long distance adventures. And in transition the more inset straps are easy to twist out of and find again quickly. A versatile freeride-focussed wind foil specific platform, it has the directional stability and dependability to suit many, from teaching the uninitiated to opening up the opportunity to explore for the experienced.