WaveThruster Test from windsurfer.es

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1,2,3,4…Fins, this is what the Market offers for 2010 wave boards
Is it just a marketing trend that has come about in the last few years? Well, Ricci brand was the pioneer in launching the first twin fin 13 years ago and more recently the tri-fin Wave Swallow.
During June 2009 I attended the RRD 2010 meeting in Tarifa where I could discover the brand new Wave Thruster. The RRD shaper told me this was going to be the most radical and down the line oriented offer of the 2010 boards range… and my curiosity started to grow.
After one year of great satisfaction with the Twinfin 82

RRD Wavetwin 82: First contact. from windsurfer.es on Vimeo.

I wanted to try something smaller and more radical, ideal for strong Tramontana days here in Catalunya.
After almost 4 months on the waiting list, at the beginning of October, the small jewel arrived in my hands in the 76 liter size.
The board has a very equilibrated outline, a fluid scoop-rocker line and the majority of the volume is concentrated in the track and front area with a very thin tail.
The edges are very rounded until the back footstraps ending into a classic swallow-tail.
The 3 fins appear to be pretty small; in fact the central one is 17 cm while the two side ones measure 8 cm each. The footstraps are RRD by Da Kine and the stylish pads hide the 1,5 cm heel bumpers.
The forecast for the Spanish Bank holiday are right: I tested the board on a first session of 3 hours with the Simmer Icon 4.7, gusty side wind and some 2 meters waves, plus a second session of 2 hours with the Simmer Icon 4.0 in a 35-40 knots side/side-off conditions.
Initial setting: front footstraps towards the mast track and the back one on the second hole from the tail and the mast foot at 135 from the tail.
First impression: the board gives a compact feeling, planes early, is very fast and goes easily upwind without any spin-out. The volume is well distributed and is sufficient to pass through the wind holes.
The initial curves are easy, the board responds rapidly and I suddenly realize that I should not put too much pressure on the edges with the back foot.
I, therefore, try to change my style pushing more on the front foot; I feel better and I find it easier to lay down the sail bending my knees more and more. After a couple of hours I move the mastfoot forward at 138 cm to have more stability during the bottom: perfect!
The three fins allow you to attack the wave descending it completely and going up to smack the lip as to keep yourself in the middle of the wave and go down looking for the aerial. The scoop-rocker line keeps up the speed even in choppy wave conditions. Closing the cut-back in Kauli surf-style (am I really able to do this?) the fins keep on track without slashing.
The Wave Thruster compared with the Twinfin appears to be more technical, less forgiving, but still very fast giving an intermediate level windsurfer the pure satisfaction on the front side and down the line surfing, allowing you to choose the desired curve line depending on each wave.
These were my first impression, hasta la próxima for further feedback!


RRD on the Wave Thruster:
http://www.robertoriccidesigns.com/WOL/WOL-WaveThrusterLTD.pdf

Thanks to: Tactic Surf Barcelona, RRD, SimmerSails, www.drwind.com.br

For more action, check it out:
http://www.windsurfer.es/2009/20091015thruster/20091015pals1.htm