QUATRO TETRA 99L 2017 TEST REVIEW
QUATRO TETRA 99L 2017 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
The Tetra is in its third year of production, classed by Quatro as their freewave thruster. This 99 is the middle sibling of a three-board line up, each produced in the brand’s Pro Carbon construction. With a long and narrow outline by today’s standards, it looks clean and conventional, dressed in its now familiar bright livery. The deck is domed and stance can be altered with more outboard strap positions, and with minimal tail rocker and thin narrow tail shape, the Tetra is designed to carry its speed through confused waters and tight transitions. We tested the 99 a couple of seasons ago, impressed with its speed and versatility. For the new season the central fin supplied with the 99 has been reduced by a whopping 6cm to a 21cm foil – an indicator of the Tetra’s perceived preference?
BRAND CLAIM
“Sticking to our newer concept of putting the sailor further back on the board and adjusting the tail rockers accordingly, we have created a board that is fast to plane yet easy to turn because of its stance positioning. This is the go to wave board for blasting around and smoking your friends.”
PERFORMANCE
The longest and narrowest in the group (with the lowest quoted volume), the Tetra is not surprisingly one of the most conventional in nature as you step on it for the first time. It requires marginally more power input than some here to release, yet has excellent directional stability (despite its small central fin), and accelerates smoothly to an impressive top end speed. With plenty of traction to push against, the Tetra cruises upwind easily, feeling connected to the water at all times. Its stance in the water is easily adaptable, happy to be pushed with a locked in and committed stance as it is in an upright cruising riding style. It might not be the fastest in the group compared to some, yet its control and manners bring it back into contention as the conditions become more severe. In confused chop it rides over the most violent sea states as if it were a magic carpet, putting the rider at ease and letting them concentrate on their own performance. It will help to flatter the nervous pilot, and encourage the experienced rider to push harder. This is also true in a wave break where the Tetra’s longer rail line and smooth dependable feel gives it a kind of glide and elegance on the face. Gripping through the turn without a hint of sticking, it carves brilliantly, never stalling or tripping a rail as it completes the turn. Adapting to any riding style, it can be turned on the back or front foot and keeps its speed at all times, forgiving any over-excitement or nervousness from the pilot.
THE VERDICT
Offering easy, accessible versatility without the need to fine-tune, the Tetra may have the most traditional increments here, yet feels far from out-dated on the water, providing the speed and measured temperament to tackle any environment.
Other sails in this test:
• RRD FREESTYLE WAVE V4 104 LTD