92 SPOTLIGHT
composed the 5m remains as
gusts hit. The gnarlier the
conditions the more the Vogue laps
this weather up.
Hardcore Wave 88L
Stepping aboard the HCW 88 and
you can feel the board’s liveliness
straight away. That said it’s no
slouch on the early planing front
relative to its overall shape. With a
deft touch getting going in marginal
conditions is doable. Riders may
need to tweak fin settings to
achieve the optimum in lighter airs
– especially when looking to boot
upwind efficiently. A bigger middle
fin may help here.
When winds ramp up, however, the
HCW 88L really comes into its own.
As power increases its controlled
nature really shines and confused
water states are no match, even
with it being 88 litres. As we said at
the start dimensions really don’t
tell you the whole story. With feet
locked in footstraps the HCW 88
performs like a much smaller
board. RRD have done a sterling
job in terms of getting the volume
distribution sorted with enough
upfront to help with early planing,
and float at rest, right down to
impeccable manners once up to
speed and being ridden off the tail.
Stepping on rail the HCW 88 is
efficient with an edge engaged.
Slicing round corners and biting
into wave faces is efficient and
fulfilling. With enough speed
(power in the rig helps) the HCW
88L belts up to lips ready for full
power smacks without issue. We’d
even suggest being slightly
overpowered is a way to best
achieve the ultimate whack, after
all the tail helps massively with
control. Frontside and backside
riding is equally rewarding – the
more vertical the wave the better.
Which is the same with jumping…
Whilst the HCW is perfectly
hoppable off chop it loves a proper
ramp for bigger boosts.
CONCLUSION
As a complete set up for stronger
wind action both RRD’s Vogue Pro
5m four batten sail and Hardcore
Wave 88L board are tools that will
get you ripping. Whilst the Vogue
is applicable to a wider range of
windy conditions the HCW 88L has
leanings towards wavier
environments or control orientated
sailing venues. Both pieces of kit
have a vast range of tuning ability
and will reward those riders who
learn about the gear and
understand what settings are
applicable to each scenario.
As stand alone bits of kit the Vogue
Pro 5m will also suit riders who dabble
with the odd flatter water trick whereas
the HCW 88L will deliver pure wave
riding performance in quality
conditions for those who have access.