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Simmer Freewave 105 Feature

SIMMER FREEWAVE 105L 2014 TEST REVIEW

Stats Volume (L) 105 Weight (Kg) N/A Length (cm) 237 Width (cm) 64 Price £1599

Simmer Freewave 105 2014

SIMMER FREEWAVE 105L 2014 TEST REVIEW

THE LOW-DOWN
This 105 is the largest of a 4-size range that are delivered with 5 finboxes and four fins making both a single and tri fin set. (Blanks supplied for spare slots.) With such a range of tuning combinations it’s clear they’re confident of the board’s adaptability from flat water to genuine surf. We’ve also heard rumours that Kai Katchadourian’s JAWS board is based on this shape. The outline is nicely balanced with good width and volume spread throughout the length – albeit slightly ‘nosey’ – blending into a classic, narrowing pintail.

BRAND CLAIM
‘The Simmer Freewave is a high performance board that offers a fun and effective ride in a huge spectrum of conditions. It is equally good for blasting on a lake as for busting jumps and riding waves. The Freewave is a easy board to sail, which makes the perfect choice to get into wave sailing with. It can also be tuned to perform in more radical conditions.’ (sic.)

PERFORMANCE
There’s an immediate difference in feel to the rest as you first stand on the Freewave 105. Lovers of the flat deck will be instantly at home and the strap placement indicates the board’s level of wavesailing pedigree. Super inboard insert positions, with just the three options compared to other brands’ arguably excessive multiple offerings, we can confirm they’ve done their research and have them in and around the sweet spot. Double screw inserts also lend confidence to those intending on pushing it a bit, as well as security for heavier riders. Also of note are the nice snug, narrow straps. There’s no issues in terms of float and security and the hull doesn’t offer any higher perceived volume or much sensation of a smaller shape either. Wavesailors will love the wide stance – the biggest spread in the group – but it’s worth noting the ‘convertible’ factor is limited by the lack of outboard strap placement choices. Compared to last year’s model we found a much softer sensation to the ride, although the level of connection is still nice and direct thanks to the level deck profile. From memory alone, it also felt lighter. The sailing position and shape make for a smooth path through the full gambit of water states with it coping particularly well with large gusts, sitting down nice and low in the water. Despite the straps being so near the centre line, (ideal as that is for wave and freestyle use) the speed and acceleration are all still there. Across our range of various size testers we all pretty much agreed it was better sailed in thruster mode for the pinned-down feeling and good levels of lift and upwind tracking. Around the bends we were impressed with the almost unlimited grip (esp. in thruster mode.) and capability for front foot turning. By far the most manoeuvrable board in the bunch.

THE VERDICT
Awesome grip and control make the Simmer Freewave 105 a superb pick for a one-board wave quiver for heavyweights, a light-wind shape for smaller riders or a super controllable freestyle-wave for the wannabee wavesailor hunting enough performance to enjoy crossover sailing as they progress.

For more information on the

SIMMER FREEWAVE 105L 2014

go to www.simmerstyle.com

NOW READ THE OTHER REPORTS

FANATIC FREEWAVE 106 TE
GOYA ONE THRUSTER 105
JPAUSTRALIA FSW 101
NAISH STARSHIP 100
QUATRO FSW 106
RRD FSW 106
STARBOARD KODE 103
TABOU 3S 106

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