SIMMER QUANTUM 90L 2019 TEST REVIEW
SIMMER QUANTUM 90L 2019 TEST REVIEW
THE LOWDOWN
The Quantum is now into its fourth generation, retaining the station as the brand’s worldwide wave option for use on “wind swell”. Said to be “super loose and effective in smaller surf” it has now been refined to handle bigger conditions as well, being faster and with a greater capacity for snappy rail to rail turns. The bottom shape has a similar configuration to its predecessor, displaying mono-concave from the shoulders, with a wash of double concave to help cushion the ride over chop whilst funnelling the water towards the fins and the vee in the tail. The five slotboxes in the tail provide lots of trimming options, from twinzer to quad, yet comes supplied with three Simmer carbon/honeycomb fins for a thruster setup (just bear in mind the grub screws are small and require a surfboard Allen key). CAD designed by Simmer’s Ola Helenius, the Quantum is fabricated in Vietnam using a hybrid carbon construction, incorporating a PVC stringer for improved load distribution and so called “Electric Flex technology”, said to provide “flex for energy” and “strength for performance”. Rounded in outline with an even progressive dome to the deck, the new Quantum is wider in the tail than the V3 and has an aggressive non-slip to its surface, masked and sprayed in front of the deckpads into a symmetrical arrow pattern up the board. The Gortex valve in the Quantum is self-regulating and can be left alone, whilst the double screw anti-twist Simmer straps sit above some 10mm thick adhesive deckpads.
BRAND CLAIM
“The G4 Quantum is an evolution of the popular G3 shape, designed for wind swell type wave sailing. Although it excels in onshore conditions, it is actually the most versatile wave board in the range, featuring a huge performance register and super easy sailing in any type of wave. Thanks to the five carbon slotboxes, you can tune the board for a huge spectrum of conditions, from light wind to high wind and from onshore to side-shore. The Quantum is able to adapt and thrive in any environment.” Fabien Vollenweider
PERFORMANCE
On the water, the Quantum has really come of age and has such a wide range of use that gives it masses of user appeal. Firstly, it releases onto the plane very easily, requiring relatively little input from the rider. There is plenty of volume and width in the tail, helping it to push through lulls and point upwind well. You can almost rock onto your back foot and use the bottom shape, combined with the drive of the central fin to keep the board flying and skimming over the water in light airs. It would make a great float and ride accomplice and has real balance as well as load carrying practicality. This predictable nature extends right through the Quantum’s wide wind range, feeling smooth and dependable even when the wind is gusting and creating sail control issues. In cross-offshore winds, the 90 feels playful and inspiring with a predictable bite that can be tightened at will. The thruster setup supplied provides ample drive to push against and the rails hold the board into the bottom turn beautifully as you redirect it up the face. The same can be said in cross-onshore mush, the stability in the tail helping the rider to push hard through the back foot for the tightest projection. It just has a lovely feel about it – a ‘go anywhere’ partner for any eventuality and with the manners to cope. Even in overpowered 4.2m weather it doesn’t feel out of place, bestowing the rider with an ‘extra volume trump-card’ if they need to contend with the variable winds we experience all too often around our shores.
THE VERDICT
Bold graphics to match a performance worth shouting about, the Quantum is a fantastic all-rounder, capable of adapting to any wave environment.
Other boards in this test:
• STARBOARD ULTRAKODE FLAX BALSA 93