HAURA XXL
Technology: wood-core.
Length: 137cm
Width: 40.5cm
Weight: 2.5kg
Fins: 4 x 1’75
Rider: 102kg intermediate.
Style: Freeriding, Surf.
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 10/10
Disclosure: No affiliation.
Previous boards ridden: Underground FLX 05, 06, 07, 08, Naish Sol 07. 08, Slingshot SX,
Weather:
o One Mile beach cross-onshore, ENE 10-15 knots 4-5 feet surf 14M Slingshot Turbo 3 & Haura XXL twin tip style.
o Bagnalls beach NNE 15-25 knots cross onshore, choppy conditions 9M Slingshot Turbo 3 & Haura XXL twin tip style.
o Fingal Bay off shore, NE 15-20 knots butter smooth with occasional 1 foot waves 9M Slingshot Turbo 3 & Haura XXL mutant and twin tip style.
o Birubi beach onshore SSE 20-25 knots messy 3-5 feet surf, 14M Slingshot Turbo 3 & Haura XXL twin tip style.
The Haura XXL offers an original concept: the half directional twin tip, for versatility. It has a set of inserts allowing 3 different positions: twin tip, goofy and regular. The back feet can be offset to the tail, and its angle can be changed to 0° for wave riding. The fins can be used in 3+1 option: 3 fins on the back and one in the front.
First impression is the board looks sensational and the word that sums it up is smooth. Transitions both heel side and toe side were easy in all water states, the combination of fins, rail and flex ensured that each turn was made with a nice carve and the harder the pressure the more the board gripped. I have not yet managed to cause the board to slide out and it’s not from a lack of trying. The Haura hasn’t yet caught an edge or nose dived, and upwind the board tracks nicely with no spray in the face, it’s pointing ability and speed is on par with other boards I’ve tried. The Haura flew through even the most severe chop without bouncing around and with no grief to my knees.
Its bottom for me is around 10-12 knots with my 14m getting up and planing without any drama and it holds the 9M easily in over 30 knots where only then did any leg pressure become apparent. Jumping comes naturally as the Haura holds its edge and pops quite well with soft landings, again its ability to drive through any water state helps.
The waves are its forte with bottom and top turns as good as it gets for a twin tip also the transition from rail to rail is predictable and smooth, irrespective if riding heel or toe side. Heading out the back in onshore mush is no problem as the board eats white water for breakfast. With the board in 3 + 1 mode it provides for even more grip when needed with ability to quickly turn out of trouble when that errant bomb is about to pile drive you into the bottom. The pads/straps are quite comfortable with easy adjustment without tools both on and off the water, the quality of the overall finish begs for it to put on display on a wall.
Any negatives only the one is the foot strap pads tend to move a little under pressure which has been resolved with the fitment of a fibre washer. I would love to see this design applied to a directional surf board style as I would have one just because I can.
So it rides as good as it looks, its ability to be smooth in all it can do turns crap days into good ones. The Haura is at home on butter smooth water, severe chop conditions or playing around in the waves. It puts a smile on my dial every time I ride it, I find myself looking for the next ramp to carve up or launch off. Feedback from the local crew is they love the look of it and after much consideration I’m very pleased with the decision to go with the Haura XXL.
Constant winds,
Baz.
P.S. My thanks to Marcel and Chad at Liquid Surf Designs for great advice and service. 
I have to concur with Baz ....I have been riding the standard Haura 135 x 38 for almost a year now. These boards are amazing to ride, very light and also very strong (..and they come with a 12 month warranty) excellent pop, very smooth, carve beautifully and 1 thing Baz forgot to mention .... dry (hardly any splash in the face, no matter what conditions) I tested the XXL model recently in High and low wind conditions in flat and heavy chop. It shared most of the same characteristics as the original size. I did manage to catch an edge a few times on the XXL but that was only because I was riding it very aggresively, like my smaller board. The remarkable thing is that these are very simple boards. Nothing fancy in the rocker no quad this or that .No multi laminant stepped anything. They are a flat bottomed board with awesome graphics ... and the very high quality wood grain finish, and ride as good as they look. The pads are real comfy. The new model pads are softer and gripper than the ones on my earlier model board and this is a big improvement. I am between 95 and 100kg and my 135 x 38board is almost a 1 board solution for me, the XXL definitly would be. (I ride an 11m and 13m ozone edgeII) Weekend before last I was out in 12 to 18 knots with the 13m on the 135 and had a great day.
