SIMMER QUANTUM 85L 2014 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER QUANTUM 85L 2014 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
Making the most of hard-to-judge waves and those refining their turning skills in the surf.
RECOMMENDATION
We’re told it gets better with the ‘big’ fins in the front for onshore use, but we loved it with a wide stance, track in the middle and left the big fins in the back!
BRAND CLAIM
“The Quantums are extremely easy, efficient and all-around wave boards with single fin-like mobility and liveliness. Loose enough to be quickly whipped around in small waves, fast enough to enable big jumps in any conditions and controllable enough to keep delivering when the wind and the waves get serious.”
OVERVIEW
Outline: Snub-nosed, Moderate teardrop profile into swallowtail. Wide point to rear of mast track.
Deck: Gentle doming.
Rail Profile: Tucked from forward all way to front fins, sharpening to tail.
Bottom Shape: Rolled vee under nose, into slight single concave, deepening under mast track, peaking between straps, fading through fins to tail.
Rocker Line: Deceptively deep nose lift, flat spot of around 20 cm between front strap and track.
Fin Configuration: 5-box cluster. All SlotBox. G10 swept back Simmer Blacktips. 15 cms in rear and 10.5 cm fronts.
Pads: Minimalist single density own-brand.
Straps: Simmer straps, traditional adjustment.
PERFORMANCE
The main proof of the Quantum’s hard-core riding ability is that nearly all the talk amongst the testers was about its performance on-the-face. OK, it did plane relatively quickly and has a nice and secure sensation from the riding position, plus it does head upwind pretty well too. All-in-all it’s pretty settled on the water and the whole stance and volume profile helps a lot in getting set for jumps. The thick, corky contours also make for easy tacking and manoeuvring off the plane too. Sound good? OK, so what about that wave-riding behaviour then? First of all, it’s pretty loose and grippy and holds-in well when cranked hard around turns – we all found it especially liked more hooked turns and kept speed out of the exit well from those tighter cutties. (We only sailed it in quad mode.) Everyone remarked about the amount of ‘squirt’ it has in the bottom turn in the sloppier surf. Especially when perhaps you thought you’d jammed the rail in too hard and would be bogged down from an overcooked carve – that’s when the Quantum seemed to forgivingly spurt you outwards again. Off-the-top it comes around quickly and pivots well even if your timing is a little out. With the predominantly onshore conditions we had it’s hard to comment on what the Quantum’s all-round credentials would be. (Simmer have this board pegged as a ‘wind-blown swell’ product.) Most of the time we sailed it in, at best, shoulder high slop, with the occasional session a little more sideshore in larger swell. None of it was what you’d call ‘down-the-line’, but the Harbour Wall was where the most fun was had on this shape. All we can say was that every time it was fun and lenient in what were pretty tricky conditions.
THE VERDICT
Lots of nice float in a compact package. A loose, forgiving and rewarding board to sail, especially in onshore wave conditions.
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