RRD Wave Twin 74 - ease of use and superb performance - WINDSURF MAG - SEPT. 08

12th Nov 2008 @ 04:21:30 PM

RRD WAVE TWIN 74 Target Advanced to Pro Well constructed and designed, the RRD Wave Twin 74 effortlessly combines ease of use with superb performance over a large range of users and conditions. At a Glance The RRD Wave Twin 74 comes in a carbon kevlar construction with monochrome graphics. The board features great fittings, including measurements alongside the mast track for ease of mastfoot positioning, comfortable and easy to adjust Da Kine foot straps, grippy deck pads with well-cushioned integrated heel bumpers, and it comes supplied with two excellent MFC TP 15.50” fins. The RRD also features a flat deck that domes off to the sides for good rider positioning, and a fairly typical twinzer board plan/outline shape, with lots of width running from the shoulders back to the front straps, and which then narrows off towards the back of the board and is finished off with a pin tail. Ride and Handling Relatively early to plane, the Wave Twin 74 feels compact, controlled and fun under foot when up to speed. It feels very smooth over the water, the integrated heel bumpers in the deckpads ironing out any clatter from the water state, and the rider feels comfortable and composed with the excellent Da Kine fotostraps. The board is super controlled over the water, it releasing well with a pronounced single concave in the bottom shape, but due to the smoothness of the ride the sailor hardly realises their speed. The RRD has an intriguing and mischievous feel encouraging the rider to try something off a ramp or on a wave rather than just keep going in a straight line. The 74 also jumps well and is controllable and manoeuvrable in the air due to its compact nature. As the wind picks up and the sea state worsens, the Wave Twin still retains its smooth controllable feel, and if anything inspires confidence in the rider to go for some big air etc! Manoeuvres In turns: the board tacks very easily for a 74-litre board, with a flat deck and lots of width up around the mastfoot and into the nose, and in gybes the board has a very smooth carve whether driven more off the back foot or taken into the turn more assertively. In waves: the RRD offers a good mix of easy performance for the less experienced rider with more loose, slashy appeal for the more advanced whether frontside or backside riding; bottom turns are smooth and effortless, and can be tightened up on demand, and top turns are beautifully rewarding whether coaxed around for a smooth cutback, or whether pushed for more fantastically loose and slidey performance. The board excels in small to medium size waves, onshore through to sideshore, and will make the most out of a mushy day as well as a clean swell. Verdict + A superb all rounder in the wave department, boasting great construction and fittings and a fun, easy, and superbly loose feel for a huge range of users and conditions - Not much to fault here... a great board! Expert riders and above looking for more dedicated performance in more size-able waves might find the Hardcore series in the RRD range suits their specific needs a little more.

Wave Twin 74 - Windsurf mag Sept 08