JP SUPER SPORT PRO 124L 2016 TEST REVIEW
JP SUPER SPORT PRO 124L 2016 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
Becoming the bedrock of the JP-Australia line-up, the Super Sport series of four boards hasn’t altered (bar its paintwork) since 2013. The 124 is the second largest and like last year is exclusively available in either Pro construction (as tested here) or the brand’s GOLD makeup, using “ultra light Textreme technology”, the other sizes available in Pro construction only. Supplied with the largest fin in this test group, it has the uncomplicated bottom shape of vee with double concave throughout, finishing in a couple of spherical cutout scoops in the tail. Visually it has quite a classic appearance, being one of the longest and narrowest here, yet relatively wide in the tail, bestowing a distinctly parallel outline. The rails themselves possess a hard edge throughout with minimal tuck and the footstrap options have been optimized to reduce unnecessary weight. .
BRAND CLAIM
“The Super Sports deliver slalom race-like performance but are way easier to ride and control. The line combines shape features from the X-Cite Ride and the Slalom boards to offer the best of both worlds. To make them seriously fast Werner Gnigler used his experience from the Slalom developments while the influence of his X-Cite Ride shapes make sure that the power of the Super Sports is easily accessible for every advanced rider.”
PERFORMANCE
Long and narrow, with parallel rails, a squared boxy tail and boasting that large fin, the Super Sport is not surprisingly very stable directionally. It can make the most marginal conditions its play-park, finding the straps easily and pumping efficiently to gather speed, whilst feeling comfortable and planted underfoot. Its riding style is conventional and balanced, the extra width in the tail providing plenty of traction against the fin through the back foot. The feedback itself is very assured and secure, giving you a real sense that the fin is a quality outfit, helping you to push the board upwind at a very impressive angle, the board’s shoulders hovering safely over any chop. Even in challenging seas, the Super Sport inspires the confidence to keep pushing, never bucking, nose lifting or doing anything else untoward. Solid and user-friendly, it can be used to cover distances in comfort, its even volume distribution and domed deck feeling familiar and reassuring as you switch weight from foot to foot. In fact, the only part of its performance where the 124 concedes anything to its younger adversaries is in the gybe. Responding best to a more committed and forceful entry, the hard parallel rails and low shoulders tend to scrub off speed if not kept driving. It also feels quite stiff in the corner compared to others in the group, particularly noticeable in sharp chop when it seems hard to fit the board’s length into tight corners. Take the pressure off and the board straightens up. And yet, as we found when testing the Super Sport last year, that extra width and stability in the tail lets you make any number of mistakes and still come out dry. Now that shouldn’t be frowned upon…
THE VERDICT
An oldie but a goodie, the 124 has deservedly been with us for some time, providing effortless performance in marginal conditions and with the range to efficiently cover vast distances in real comfort.
Other sails in this test:
STARBOARD FUTURA CARBON ULTRACORE 124