JP MAGIC WAVE 89 TEST REVIEW 2023

The Verdict

With its upright riding stance and easy to find straps the Magic Wave is a comfortable ride whilst blasting out. Its outstanding clew first riding ability left us feeling that this board was a strong fit for onshore days.

The Lowdown

The Magic Wave shapes remain unchanged from last year, save for the addition of a new 68-litre board for lighter riders. And at first look, the Magic Wave has a much softer outline than the other boards on test. With its rounded nose and broad swallow tail, JP has created a more parallel rail outline to help with early planing and to keep speed through white water. Another notable quality of the Magic Wave is its visibly deep and rounded rails that run from the nose right back to the hips of the board, before swiftly thinning out at the tail.

The board’s bottom shape encompasses a subtle vee with a combination of concaves that creates an incredibly curvy rail line. Like other boards in the test, the Magic Wave possesses a fast rocker line to enhance its planing ability. On the board’s deck, you will find a decidedly less rounded shape that adds to the suggestion that JP has created a board with a stable feeling underfoot. The board is topped with diamond groove footpads and double inserts in the rear pad to avoid strap twisting for maximum connection through turns.

The board is finished in an intense orange and faded blue paint, ensuring the Magic Wave stands out in the lineup. Provided with three distinctly stiff carbon fins for a thruster setup, which are said to improve its speed maintenance, the board also has the option of being set up as a quad.

Brand Claim

“Finally, an all-round board which excels in mediocre conditions but does not compromise on wave performance.”

Performance

On the water, you will immediately notice the stability of this board both on and off the plane. Whether floating or blasting, the board easily navigates through messy whitewater. Drive the board onto the plane, and the straps almost appear at your feet, making for an effortless transition whilst building speed. There’s little doubt that the Magic Wave is fast, and as it hits its top speeds, it manages choppy water well, potentially due to the more upright riding stance the board encourages. The Magic Wave releases well when required, with the wide nose providing some advantageous lift for airborne antics.

On the wave, the board and its stiff fins encourage the rider to drive hard through smooth and powerful turns. Ride this board over the front foot, and it tracks almost unshakably down the line as the rider is guided in which line to pick, particularly on onshore days. To loosen the board up, the pilot is urged to shift their weight onto the back foot to tighten their turn radius. The Magic Wave is an absolute godsend in onshore conditions as the board maintains impressive speeds whilst sailing clew first down the line. This feature assists the rider nicely in setting up for a looser turn at the top of the wave as they hunt for the perfect section to hit.

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