SEVERNE NUEVO 86L 2016 TEST REVIEW
SEVERNE NUEVO 86L 2016 TEST REVIEW
THE LOW-DOWN
This is the first year that Severne have introduced their own board range … although a closer inspection will easily confirm any hint you may have picked up from the board range’s name! These boards aren’t actually new to the market, but are in fact the same Nuevo designs that were in the Starboard range for 2015. Designed by James Hooper of NUDE Australia, the shapes are available in two constructions – either Hybrid in its orange/red graphics, or Carbon as tested here. Both come supplied with new Severne fins, with a shorter base length and reduced surface area than the fins previously supplied by Starboard.
BRAND CLAIM
“The Nuevo is a proven performer. Rather than chase the latest trend or fad, the Nuevo design is a classic. It enables average level riders to do pro-level turns. Available in a wide range of sizes to suit any weight rider. The bigger sizes open up wave-sailing to heavier guys, or much lighter winds. There is no easier board to do full-rail turns on than the Nuevo. It excels in knee to logo high waves, side-shore to side-onshore conditions.”
PERFORMANCE
Despite being the only twinzer in the test group (in addition to having a lot of tail kick…), the Nuevo didn’t have any issues keeping up with the rest in the early planing stakes. It gathered speed well and felt incredibly smooth and stable underfoot, the pronounced vee and double concave in the board’s mid-section playing its part. The Nuevo’s twinzer set-up was noticeable at times when pushing upwind (especially in marginal conditions), losing traction on occasion, but adjust your technique to use the rail a little more and the directional stability improves. Severne describe the Nuevo as a ‘classic’ and it certainly feels conventional underfoot, with a super domed deck, rounded outline and pointy nose. And yet its performance around the break endeared it to even the most progressive rider. Whilst not one of the fastest, its planted secure stance on the water helps you to plough energy into it confidently, which, combined with the loose lively nature of its twinzer set-up inspires those that use it to try a stunt on the next ramp or push harder through the next turn. On the wave, you can really feel the grip provided by the fins, giving you time and movement to decide to push harder and tighten the turn, or ease it out and prolong the arc towards your target section. It is quite a rare and unique feeling, as if the board gives you more time to decide how you’d like to interpret the wave, before offering easy redirection on the cut back, the super tuck in the shoulder’s rails ensuring the board never trips.
THE VERDICT
The Nuevo exhibits the very best virtues of a twinzer, providing a real connection and understanding of the board’s grip and direction as you carve through the wave. No slouch to get going either, it is easy to see why the Severne team were keen not to let the Nuevo disappear from view.
Other sails in this test: