STARBOARD KODE CARBON 105L: 2025 TEST REVIEW
The Verdict
A versatile weapon for a minimalistic quiver. The Kode can tackle waves, as well blast across flat water. Comfortable tacks, smooth and grippy gybes and an ability to rip on a wave, the Kode takes all the best bits of windsurfing and rolls them into one.
The Lowdown
Starboard’s 2025 Kode 105L is back and even better that its predecessors! The Kode has a proven track record as a fantastic board to have in your quiver or a “one board does all”, blending wave and freeride capabilities in one versatile board. Designed to tackle a range of conditions, the Kode 105L is aimed at intermediate to advanced riders seeking a board that’s fast on flat water yet manoeuvrable in waves. For 2025, Starboard has refined the shape with a more compact outline and narrower tail, improving responsiveness in turns and maximizing control. It wouldn’t look vastly out of place in a line-up of wave boards. The refined bottom shape and rocker line features a double concave through the centre, which enhances lift and smooths out chop, allowing for impressive top-end speed and agility.
With its thruster fin setup, the Kode 105L will look to provide ample grip for high-speed carves, while maintaining a playful, loose feel. The Kode 105L has the ability to easily switch to a single fin for a more classic freeride experience, generating more lift and drive. The Kode’s lightweight construction incorporates Starboard’s proven Reflex Carbon technology, which you can subtly see come through in the nose and rails, reducing weight while ensuring excellent durability and stiffness for an energetic ride. In essence, and after initial inspection the 2025 Kode 105L seems to be a versatile choice for windsurfers looking to bridge freeride speed with wave performance pulling integral features from both end of the spectrum.
Brand Claim
“The exciting 2025 KODE. The future wave of bump & jump boards. True wave performance with freeride speed. Impossible. Until today. Challenge the KODE. Experience next level performance.”
Performance
Swift to plane, the Kode accelerates smoothly, with its footstraps naturally presenting themselves to the rider. As you slide your feet into the comfortable straps and plant them onto the thick EVA pads, your ride is cushioned for added comfort. With impressive top-end speed, the Kode keeps up effortlessly with others on the water—especially when set up with a single fin and the straps shifted outboard in a double back-strap configuration. This setup allows you to truly put the hammer down.
Gybes with the Kode are smooth and delightful, thanks to its thinned-out tail, which grips the water and lets you choose your desired turning radius. Whether you go wide to carry ample speed or opt for a sharp, quick turn, the Kode maintains excellent grip throughout. Its generous volume in the back end ensures you can carry speed through the turn, giving you plenty of opportunity to exit with style and still planing. Tacks are stable and secure, with the volume concentrated around the mast track providing confidence and comfort during the manoeuvre.
Shifting the Kode into wave-riding or FreeWave mode—by moving the straps inboard and swapping its fin configuration—transforms its personality. In wave conditions, particularly cross-onshore conditions, where the Kode was tested, it proves to be a forgiving and versatile wave board. As long as the wave face and spacing aren’t disrupted by unruly chop, the Kode excels with smooth, locked-in bottom turns and responsive top turns that add snap and flatter the rider. The Kode thrives with a bit of power in the rider’s hands, especially when actively riding a wave. This responsiveness allows the board to be thrown around on the wave with confidence. In steep, short, and sharp chop—the Kode can start to feel oversized, and the ride becomes harsher. This serves as a clear signal that it’s time to switch to a smaller board. If the sea state is challenging but predictable, the Kode can still hold its own, albeit with more input required from the rider. Its size makes it a standout choice for broader yet agile riders who appreciate a float-and-ride board. The Kode’s ability to turn on command makes it an excellent option for those seeking a minimalistic quiver. It’s ideal for riders who prioritize wave riding but also enjoy the occasional flat-water blasting or bump-and-jump session.
VITAL STATS
Price: £2049
Volume (Quoted): 105L
Length: 229cm
Width: 65cm
Bottom Shape: Vee Double Concave to Double Concave to Mono Concave
Weight: (Naked) 6.9kg
Fin: Drake Neutral Wave 11 + Rush 22 & MFC FreeWave 28
Sail Range (Quoted): 5.0m – 7.0m
Sizes Available: 85/95/105/115/125/135/145