STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024
STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024
STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024
The Verdict
Bigger rigs bring the Foil Freeride to life. Commit to the width and remain in the straps and the Foil Freeride will reward you with ultimate control when flying. The Foil Freeride is forgiving with touch downs and provides a smooth gybe. Paired with a race foil the Foil Freerides outline would keep you in contention.
The Lowdown
Available in two constructions, Starlite Carbon Technology provides value and quality, while Starboard’s Wood Sandwich offers light weight together with their lowest carbon footprint. Provided in the wood sandwich for the test, light-coloured wood, where the natural grain of the wood is visible, runs from the nose to the front footstraps, before blending into a dark blue and bold contrasting red. The deck pads are colour-matched and well-cushioned, while the straps provided are extremely comfortable. The Foil Freeride is going to offer some comfort for the rider, even as they push their foiling limits. On top, it holds a fairly boxy outline that looks suited to larger, well-loaded rigs, tapering in ever so slightly at the tail. There isn’t a huge amount of rocker on the Foil Freeride, which in the air should be more aerodynamic. Its nose is reduced in length, which reduces swing weight, while its concave track will add control. Overall, the deck is appealing and doesn’t appear to be overly complex for a foil board. However, roll the Foil Freeride over, and you are greeted with a plethora of exaggerated bottom shapes and cut-outs. Sharp, crisp rails run forward and a vee double concave runs the length of the board, but the vee sits very proud, especially upfront under the nose. The foil box sits proud on its own with a very slight vee on it, a cut-out blends forward into the hull, and substantial wingers sit under the rear straps and taper forward to the front straps. All of these details are to keep the width to increase leverage and control over the foil as its used with well loaded rigs, but also to reduce the surface area to allow you to break free from the water. The Foil Freeride appears to offer comfort and usability on the top, but well-placed and hidden performance on the bottom.
Brand Claim
“Setting new standards and consistently surpassing expectations, these boards offer unmatched versatility and exhilarating performance. With a perfect blend of balance and control, effortless take-offs and exhilarating flights are simply second nature. Elevate your freeride foiling to the next level.”
Performance
Immediately feeling stable, the Foil Freeride provides ultimate confidence to the user to move around the board with ease, not requiring superior balance or balletic technique. Preferring to be powered and/or driven by larger rigs, the Foil Freeride builds speed and releases well, slipping onto the plane, accelerating gently, while generating lift. The front strap is easy to find, sitting there open for you to place your foot. Its foil box placement in relation to the back straps, which are slightly offset, makes coming up and out of the water a very rider-led affair. With the back foot in the strap, the rider has ultimate control in rising out of the water; it offers ultimate control in ride height. Its width naturally suits and helps you to manage well-powered and larger rigs by placing you outboard to commit to the power. In the straps, the rider’s position automatically sheets the sail in, providing continuous power and setting you to the apparent wind, which allows you to lever against the foil to drive as fast and as hard as you want. Touchdowns are managed for you as the Foil Freeride’s bottom shape works in your favour – with its pronounced vee doing a fantastic job dispersing water and popping you back up. Meanwhile, its thick, well-engineered tail shape with cutouts, wingers, and edges shed excess surface area to keep the foil the number one priority. The Foil Freeride is capable of being used with smaller rigs, but a more mobile rear foot is required, or the use of the inboard rear strap position, if you want to load up and lock in. Through the gybes, the Foil Freeride’s width is managed with a positive step over to the opposite rail to control the radius of your choice. Its flatter deck shape makes it an easy and usable area to find your way through the all-important foot change. The Foil Freeride offers a really nice ride that’s all about putting the rider in as much control as possible, while still being able to go full power.
STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 85 WOOD TEST REVIEW 2024
VITAL STATS
Price: £2149
Volume (Quoted): 160L
Length: 208cm
Width: 85cm
Bottom Shape: Vee Double Concave throughout
Weight (Naked): 10kg
Sail Range (Quoted): 6.0-9.5m
Sizes Available: 130, 160
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST
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