AV NYTRO 87 TEST REVIEW 2023

The Verdict

A true freestyle wave board that is steeped in comfort, the Nytro is the perfect board for those seeking to combine some flat water sailing with some wave riding and if you’re a sailor that likes a long session, this is the board for you.

The Lowdown

New to Windsurf Magazine wave board testing, AV-Boards have delivered the Nytro, an all-round wave-orientated board advertised as the brand’s ‘FreeWave’ board. The board comes in 4 sizes, from 87 to 113, with all sizes produced with a thruster setup. The Nytro is fitted with two slot boxes for the front fins and a power box for the rear, meaning you can set it up as a single fin for a freeride-orientated feel. Finished in red and topped in AV graphics, the Nytro certainly looks the part.

Diving deeper into the board’s shape, the ‘FreeWave’ elements of the Nytro become clearer. The board has some fast features, combining a fast and straight rocker line with very little tail kick. The underneath features a full double concave with a pronounced vee through the tail. Wide at the tail, the Nytro is said to have good early planing performance, whilst the tail’s reduced volume ensures there is not too much board under the back foot.

On the deck, the board has a well-defined setting guide aligned alongside the mast track to ensure that the rig is positioned well on the board for the conditions. The footpads on the Nytro are one of its most notable features. They are significantly thicker and more malleable than pads on other boards, suggesting that the board will produce a comfortable ride.

Brand Claim

“Great onshore wave board to use on European conditions, or a board to ride the waves in the ‘rough conditions’ days”

Performance

Step onto the Nytro, and the support provided by the width at the board’s tail becomes apparent immediately. Buoyant and stable, the board sits comfortably underfoot both at rest and when moving onto the plane. Step back into the straps, and you will immediately notice the comfort provided by the thick footpads as the shock delivered by any lumps and bumps in the sea state is absorbed, giving the rider the instantaneous feeling that the Nytro can be sailed for hours. The Nytro feels bigger than its quoted volume whilst moving onto the plane. The board maintains speed well with little rider input as the wind undulates. A reasonably large centre fin assists the board’s upwind ability allowing the rider to choose when to navigate back to the top of the lineup or use the board’s flat section in the rear to pick up speed and aim for the next lip.

On the wave, the board maintains speed down the line well as it asks the rider to draw out turns in a flowing manner. One of the ‘cruiser’ boards in the lineup, the Nytro permits a more laid-back wave riding style, suggesting to the rider to move through sections with a more gracious flair. The soft footpads still providing comfort whilst riding the wave take a little bit of getting used to through the turns. However, the comfort they provide will no doubt extend your session.