I've seen the future ...and its a Freewave...

2nd Jul 2008 @ 08:07:06 PM

sSs Team Rider, Steve Carpenter, is one of the few windsurfers to have tested one of the new 2009 Ezzy Freewave sails and this is what he has to say:-

'The Freewaves are a completely new range of Ezzy sails for the 2008-2009 season, with noticeably different sailing characteristics from the other Ezzy sail ranges. I have been sailing the Freewaves for the past week and all I can say is that they are fantastic sails, that will more than meet the requirements of the majority of wave, freestyle and recreational sailors.

When rigged on the beach the sails are relatively flat (especially when compared to the Ezzy Wave SEs from the past couple of years). On the water they fill and power up nicely and are very comfortable “forgettable” sails with a light feel. Where they really come into their own is in transitions, the sails go completely neutral and move smoothly onto the new tack without catching on the mast or the need to pump the boom to get the battens to rotate, making it very easy to complete transitions and tricks.

I have sailed the Freewaves in a wide variety of conditions from flat water to waves and in both marginal and fully power conditions and also have also used them when practicing in non-planing conditions.

They work very well in all these conditions, having a good natural range and also a wide range of tuning options. The sails set with modest amounts of downhaul and tuning is principally by adjusting the outhaul. For example the outhaul on the 5.8 has a massive tuning range of 6cms from the fullest to flatest settings

So what you get is a light, smooth, adjustable sail with Ezzy build quality, durability and ethics, which is very relevant to the needs of many UK sailors.

I’d like to thank Jem Hall, who let me “have a go” on his sails in Prasonisi (and then couldn’t get me off them for the rest of the week) and Simon Bassett at 2XS for letting me use his sails at West Wittering.

Damn, I think I have just talked myself into a “sail upgrade”.

Please note that testing these sails could seriously damage your wealth...'

Ezzy 2009 Freewave