SPOTLIGHT 95
Boosting parallels
Fanatic Freewave Stubby 105L 2017
Info: www.fanatic.com/product/freewave-stb/#series-1 Price: £1899
WORDS: WINDSURFING UK
NON-POV PICS: JAMES JAGGER PHOTOGRAPHY new school versions – endos and whips
being all good.
FREESTYLE WAVE BOARDS: THE DO IT ALL, GO TO TOOLS FOR MOST
WINDSURFERS LOOKING TO DABBLE WITH ALL KINDS OF SAILING.
EXCEPT WE KNOW NO ONE SINGLE PIECE OF WINDSURFING
EQUIPMENT CAN COVER ALL BASES, CAN IT? If you’re into sliding backwards you’ll
discover an accommodating platform
with the FSW. Its nose helps
composure through vulcans/spocks and
such like. All but the highest level of
freestyler will enjoy the 105L. And
waves? Drop in, bottom turn and the
sensation isn't unlike a full on wave
board with a forgiving nature that
allows riders to progress and improve.
Fanatic have made rapid progress with
their stubby parallel rail concept FSW.
With its duck's bill nose and double
diamond tail the 105L is every bit the
new school shape it professes to be.
Heaping volume into the middle of the
board allows for a reduced/stepped rail
element around the tail. The brand's TE
lightweight construction, yet hard
wearing layup was welcome. Fanatic’s
top drawer fixtures, fittings and livery
are all suitably high end.
dominant riders may prefer the 105L in
single fin mode whereas manoeuvre
orientated sailors will be content with it
as a 2+1 set up.
Most obvious was the cushioned ride
across chop. For many large chunks of
water will see a board of this size
buffeted and bounced about. The
parallel rails of the FW keep it slicing
through flotsam.
Capped off are thruster style fins from
MFC. The middle skeg is a traditional
Powerbox while side bites are Slot Box.
It's also possible to blank off the two
additional boxes when tuning as a
single fin. Fanatic’s 105L is fast and loose.
Eyeing your ramp riders will be skyward
in a flash – how high is then down to
nerves. Once in the air there’s a lot of
control for a 105L board. Lighter riders
would certainly be able to take those
first airborne steps without being
unceremoniously dunked.
With full power blow in effect the FW
105L is up to speed rapido. It
accelerates progressively and glides
through lulls effortlessly. Back foot If you’ve a penchant for loops the FSW
will serve you well. Swing weight is low
which improves control. We were able
to mix our loops up between old and
Something we would point out is when
gybing in heavy chop the FW Stubby
needs a committed approach. The
board’s whole rail needs to be utilised.
Turns off the tail aren’t quite as
efficient, although doable.
Conclusion
Fanatic’s Freewave Stubby 105L
comes damn close to being a one
board does all for mid to heavy weight
riders looking to make use of 6m
weather down to around 4.7m. A good
board for jumping, small to medium
wave sailing, float and ride, sliding
freestyle and generally booting about
on flat or moderately choppy water.
uk
WIND
SURFING