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RRD WAVE CULT V7 LTD 82L 2018 TEST REVIEW

Stats Price LTD - £2089 WOOD - £1671 Volume (L) 82 (quoted) Weight (Kg) 6.45 (naked, quoted) Length (cm) 222 Width (cm) 57.5 Fin MFC TF_17 G10 (slot) + 2 x MFC TF_11 RTM (slot)

 RRD Wave Cult V7 480px

RRD WAVE CULT V7 LTD 82L 2018 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW-DOWN
The Wave Cult is RRD’s most successful wave board range, and has been completely redesigned for 2018. Classed as their ‘all-in-one’ wave board, it is available in a total of six sizes, the smallest and largest produced solely in Ltd construction, whilst the four middle sizes can be bought in Wood technology as well. This 82 only just reached us in time for the test and, as such, is one of the first off the production line. It came supplied with MFC side fins in addition to the MFC G10 central fin, but we’ve been informed (and is stated on the RRD website) that all future Ltd boards will be supplied with K4 side fins, just as the Wood version will be supplied with complete sets of K4 fins – testament to just how much R&D work Steve Thorp at K4 fins has put in. Taking a closer look at the design of the 82, it has some very interesting features. The ‘COTAN’ (cut off tail and nose) offering of the V6 has made way for a “soft diamond” nose and a “winger” tail. The board has been made shorter, with more volume concentrated in the centre where it is needed most, allowing the nose and tail profile to be thinned down. The wingers certainly stand out as a design highlight, drawing attention to the pintail, yet another less obvious feature worthy of note is the pronounced vee / double concave combo in the hull – much more distinct than in any other board in the group. Under the skin, the Ltd construction uses a new laminate called C-ply – Biaxial Carbon with hexagonal stitching fibres, said to produce a better bond as well as reducing weight, whilst also increasing impact resistance … something only time will tell. It comes with five slot boxes in the tail to cater for the quad devotee, the usual Da Kine Velcro straps and a new “duo density” deck pad for more grip and durability.

BRAND CLAIM
“The Wave Cult has been my go-to board for years. I like to have one board that does everything and with the Wave Cult I know I can excel whatever the conditions, from cross onshore in the UK, through to howling Pozo through to side shore in Cape Town or Maui.” John Skye

PERFORMANCE
Despite certainly feeling its size when you initially step on, the Wave Cult responds the instant power is supplied and accelerates like a bullet from a gun to an impressive speed. It provides a lively and active ride, asking for rider input and certainly feeling engaging as you charge out over broken water. The board sits flat on the water’s surface, the double concave in the rear of the board funnelling air to provide a real sense of freedom and response. The new deckpads are also a noticeable improvement, giving great traction especially when shifting weight and stance, to drive upwind for example. The 82 undoubtedly has the capacity to be used as a high wind bump and jump platform, punching off ramps and releasing effortlessly for some proper airtime. In violent churned-up seas it does require more rider conviction to keep the board in-line and refrain from becoming too flighty as it is buffeted by rogue-chop, but maintain your concentration and the board behaves. This excited energy and willingness for action is also carried into the turn, the Wave Cult feeling very at home in every wave environment from onshore to cross-offshore bliss. On a clean wave face it was a delight to use – squirrely and alert underfoot and capable of adapting to differing styles, carving smoothly through full use of its rail, or tightening instantly through the back-foot. We didn’t get a chance to really explore it in quad mode properly, but given its spirited nature in thruster setup, we can only anticipate the option will add to its versatility for conditions and riding styles.

THE VERDICT
Fast and alive, the V7 Wave Cult is an active and inspiring board to use, responding best to riders that really want to play a full part in every session.

www.robertoriccidesigns.com


Other sails in this test:

FANATIC GRIP TE 82

GOYA CUSTOM THRUSTER PRO 86

JP SLATE PRO 87

QUATRO CUBE 86

RRD WAVE CULT V7 LTD 82

SEVERNE NANO 83

STARBOARD A.I.R. 83 REFLEX CARBON

TABOU POCKET 87


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