STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 150 2023 TEST REVIEW

STARBOARD FOIL FREERIDE 150 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

Starboard’s Foil Freeride is an accessible board that can be sailed with freeride foils or even pushed to more powerful foils and bigger sails. Its outboard stance position and wide design allow riders to lock in and find leverage over the foil to assist in pushing the limits of speed.

The Lowdown

The Starboard Foil Freeride, built on a powerful, wide platform, aims to offer greater control, stability, and speed. With its wider design, outboard footstraps and high rake box, this board is sure to handle bigger sails and more powerful foils with ease whilst also attaining the necessary qualities to provide easy freeriding. On the underside of the board, its extended long cutaway concept, borrowed from Starboard’s performance slalom foil boards, is in place to improve the board’s acceleration.

The Foil Freeride’s efficient nose profile, concave deck, and forward strap inserts work to improve the board’s balance. Additionally, the Freeride boasts an increased nose rocker compared to other boards on the test to ensure smooth touchdowns. Its shorter noses, mast track, improved volume distribution, thin profiles, and flat decks guarantee enhanced stability, control, and reduced swing weight. Foil-optimised pads with diamond grooves provide extra control and grip, while the premium Yulex neoprene Drake footstraps offer the ultimate connection. Starboard recommends pairing the Foil Freeride with Starboard Evolution Foils such as the SuperFlyer, Freeride, Slalom, or Race for the best experience. Built with Starboard’s most durable performance technology, the Wood Sandwich features a 0.6 mm Australian pine laminated deck, unidirectional fibres, and a 3mm PVC sandwich for long-lasting durability and a classic feel underfoot.

Brand Claim

“Starboard’s Foil Freerides have become our best-selling board, test winners and the global benchmark for freeride foil boards. Maximum versatility combines with playful performance; with a balanced trim between the mast track, foil box, and straps, effortless take-offs and rock-steady fast flights are just a natural.”

Performance

One of the key attributes of the Starboard Foil Freeride is its generous buoyancy, feeling its quoted volume at rest, offering excellent stability for larger sails. This is complemented by strategic cutouts that facilitate rapid acceleration. As the board gains speed, riders will appreciate the effortlessness of locating and stepping into the straps. Once securely in the straps, the board’s wide design provides good leverage on the foil, enabling the rider to take flight early. The Foil Freeride encourages a race-like stance at high speeds, with the board and foil generating lift under the rider’s front foot. This unique positioning allows riders to sit into their front foot, positioning their body slightly more forward than in traditional windsurfing. To achieve even greater speeds, windsurfers can simply shift more weight into their harness and drive into the mastfoot. This technique results in a highly locked-in style that inspires confidence and fuels the pursuit of speed. The forward lift of the Starboard Foil Freeride also offers benefits during gybes. Riders will find ample time to change their footing, with the option to take a more leisurely approach or to drive hard for a sharper turn. In conclusion, the Starboard Foil Freeride delivers a ride that combines speed, stability, and versatility.