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with efficient upwind and downwind
ability, is where the BIC’s skills lie.
Round bends and riders need to be
forceful when pushing a rail into the
water. With practice good gybing
technique can be developed that’ll see
planing exits in no time.
If you’re at an advanced level of skill
then you can throw the 293 about
more than you’d think. The
daggerboard does add some weight so
jumping needs to be done with this in
mind. One of BIC’s alterative Techno’s
however, sans daggerboard, will be fine
for some floaty air time. How do we
know this? Because we’ve tried…
Conclusion
their money. And for those who fancy
some whirling and twirling simply
attach a smaller fin, plug in a sub-6m
and with the majority of its 205L
volume underfoot it’s a great low
breeze skills training platform.
Planing conditions
One of the magical elements of the
Techno 293 is its early planing
potential. In the lightest of airs the OD
winds up to full speed in progressive
fashion, that wide tail forgiving clumsy
footwork (great for those practising
strap technique). The
additional/substantial nose rocker
keeps everything up front clear of chop
whilst being able to push against the
Ride 46cm fin increases full power
efficiency no end. For intermediate
sailors it’s a great platform for learning
the planing ropes – especially with
multiple options for footstraps. If you
plump for One Design rig also then
combined with a 7.8m low end force
fours are no match!
If you’ve dismissed BIC’s Techno
range as not for you then perhaps
it’s time to revisit and check out
what the French brand are offering.
Affordable windsurfing equipment
with no less performance than
you’d expect from any other
premium product. As an everyman
windsurfer the One Design 293
delivers everything you’d want from
a light to medium wind early planing
freerider (with the additional
benefits of light wind performance).
Robust, versatile, efficient and a
whole lot of fun. And just to address
the elephant in the room: that
previously thin nose danger area
now has a mast bumper in place to
prevent damage in the event of
catapulting. If you fancy something
that’ll put a smile on your face then
check out BIC’s 293 and raft of
alternative Techno designs, you
never know…
We’ll be honest, blistering speed is not
the Techno’s forte. But, again, that’s
kind of missing the point. Early planing,
uk
WIND
SURFING