FANATIC TRIWAVE TE 95L 2015 TEST REVIEW
FANATIC TRIWAVE TE 95L 2015 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
The 95Triwave TE is the largest but one of the 6 sizes in the range and comes in Fanatic’s premium tough TE – Team Edition Innegra Carbon, light weight construction. 2x 12cm slot box thrusters and 1x 19cm US box Maui Fin Company provide the grip.
BRAND CLAIM
‘’With a wide, more compact outline, rest assured that you will be first on the plane. The TriWave is undoubtedly a solid performer in all conditions. Versatility is the name of the game and with the adaptable fin setup option, you can fine tune your TriWave to suit your style and preferences. Ridden as a Thruster you will get the full radical Waveboard experience. Switch it to a single fin and you’ll have maximum planing power and drive when going down the line. The outline features a slightly wider fishtail for better low end performance and sharp, snappy turns delivering pure fun.”
PERFORMANCE
The TriWave 95 is corky and stable yet maintains a compact outline. All sizes of tester remarked on its confidence boosting stability, particularly in non-planing, float-out conditions where you don’t want to be tense balancing through the surf. Its boasted early planning is right up there rivaling the best in this class, but it has big-rig compatibility to go even earlier and match the most power hungry beasts among you. Upwind in planing or non-planing conditions presents no tough challenge and in the small, soft Medano surf we brought the fins as close together as we could to tighten up the turns. The riding feel is light and free with virtually no drag meaning swift acceleration and top speed. The TriWave remains composed in all water states and the only attention you really need to take on first outing is to keep your weight back to compensate for the flatter rocker line but this is just advice for your first run and you are soon dialed in. These attributes and the chunky fishtail make the TriWave an eager jumping machine. We always seemed to be able to find a ramp with this board to jump. On the wave, some commitment and practice was required for some of the team to keep speed and nip tighter harder turns in the pocket, but this is rewarded by the easy slidey, skatey turns that could be made. This Fanatic is not the most hard-core 95L as they have the Quad TE for that job. This 95 is a forgiving and confidence boosting board you can just get on and go. It’s a genuine alternative to a FSW in planning performance but with real wave riding skills.
THE VERDICT
A safe real world wave board that will really cover all the bases. Big boys with 4.5 as their smallest rig will find it a possible one board solution that comes close to FSW performance in lighter conditions. The more power you give it the better it is. Well worth a test ride.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST: