Francisco Goya & Marcilio Browne

Q&A.

The new NITRO is originally scaled up and down by the same magic master for a cohesive feel and look. From there, each size receives manual adjustments, as our human needs don’t change exponentially in length or rocker as they do in volume. Thus, a fine balance of math and feel has been created, catering to the conditions we encounter and how we ride them.

What is so different from the previous version?
FG: Everything started after we finished our new Custom Quads and Thrusters. We couldn’t wait to apply the volume and accelerating rail flow to the new Nitro boards, and as we did, it surprised us even more than we expected. It was an instant winner, faster, more maneuverable, opening new angles and speed in areas no previous design could carry us.

Is the new generation faster or more turnier than last year?
FG: Both boards had to meet the Short, Fast, and Fun guidelines. The new accentuated rail flow not only accelerates the water in marginal conditions but also provides more effortless rail-to-rail agility that only our Custom Pro Models had before.

Can you ride a bigger size in this new compact design?
FG: The new shapes have more range than ever; as designs improve, so does the range; the new NITRO stands out like no other board has ever done for us.

Why use Quad for the smaller sizes and Thrusters for the larger ones?
That is how they ride best when the winds are marginal, and we are trying to maximize the low end of the board; a Thruster works best, but as soon as the conditions turn on, nothing can match the Quad feeling on the rail.

Did you guys consider having it with 5 Boxes?
Yes, shops were asking for this as they wanted to ensure they could have all of the options in one board, but every time we rode a proto with five boxes, we would immediately feel the added weight and the added drag, so it was an easy decision.

Being shorter and more compact, is riding more technical, only for the more advanced?
FG: This new shape will benefit every rider; you need to know how to water start, and the rest is very intuitive.

What about front-side riding?
FG: The Custom Quad is the pinnacle for the front side. Down the line, the new NITRO is right behind it, but, at the same time, can excel in everything else, turning onshore conditions into the most fun you have ever had.

How about the construction?
FG: The new NITROs also benefit from the new reduced and continuous layup, without patches and fillers, and with minimum paint, just enough to seal the vacuumed lamination.

What’s been the biggest inspiration for making such a shape?
FG: In the early 80s, my brother bought a surfboard from a local shaper in Brazil who had just added three footstraps with resin and a mast truck. We could only use this board when it was + 30 knots, but every time we did, it gave us a glimpse of what was possible; any turn you want it to make, you could, and the board would fit not only inside the car but also in every part of the wave that you could imagine. It has been taking decades to get back to that feeling; the difference now is that we don’t need much wind; the opposite now, the new NITROs have the most efficient volume displacement.

FG: Can you share some of your feelings on the new Nitro’s?
MB: This is an entirely new thing; it is like nothing I have ever ridden. The previous Quatro® SuperMini & NITRO were great, but once we applied all the Custom Quad development and balanced the outlines and volume distribution in this newer compact shape, a new era began in my sailing. This is changing the way I look not only at marginal conditions but also at On-shore riding; now, it is super fun as I have the gear to fly around non-stop while also being able to lay on the rail and in the wave face as hard as I want without fearing that the board will skip or not match the curve of where I’m trying to fit. I’m also riding these new shapes more at Ho’okipa and windy Pozo than in the past, where I would only use them on light, marginal onshore winds. This is always the biggest challenge, as there is nothing new in making super-fast and compact waveboards. However, it is different when you enjoy riding them in good conditions.

FG: What was the goal for this new line?
MB: We wanted to take the NITRO to the next level, as we have done with the Custom Quads. I always dream of having that board that would maximize those challenging On-Shore or Sylt conditions with almost no wind on the inside, with strong currents, and at the same time being overpowered as soon as you are outside, with overhead barreling waves and 12 minutes to put out all that you worked on all year. These new shapes motivate me the most, which means a lot when riding in cold and challenging weather.