Kona from Exocet

One of the latest offerings from Exocet
More info at www.kona-windsurfing.com
Demos available Ring 93861975

By Windsurfing US, 05.06 Date : 23/5/2006

Exocet's Kona Style is a big board that's looking to be a big part of your windsurfing quiver. It's also been one of the most talked-about boards of the year. WindSurfing's Eddy Patricelli was one the first people in the US to catch a ride - here's his take.

Eddy Patricelli Level: Expert Weight: 175

Impressions on Land
· It's a can't-miss board. Its 11'6" length is eye-popping. So are its floral graphics that wrap around the rails.
· Relatively lightweight at 32.5 lbs. Its narrow width also makes carrying the Kona Style with one arm rather easy.
· Front foot straps are just behind the centerboard, leaving ample uncluttered foot room around the mast base for learning basics and freestyle.
· The rails are relatively rounded and its outline resembles a longboard surfboard -- rounded nose, long parallel rails and a slow taper toward the tail.
· EVA foam deck is unique in that it wraps around the rails all the way to the board's bottom – no shin guards needed for rail rides, and windsurfing and surfing newcomers need not worry about scrapes climbing onboard.
· Regular mast box. You can adjust your mast base placement, but you have to stop sailing to do so. That said, I never felt a need to adjust it, even when switching from a 6.7-meter sail to a 9.0.
· Power fin box makes for easy fin switches, but limits jumbo (65-plus cm) fin usage – though that shouldn't be much of an issue with its long outline and parallel rails.
· The tail is stepped – one portion of the board ends just behind the back foot straps, though there's a separate raised portion of the tail that extends another 34 cm to the tail of board. The raised portion looks to improve light-wind performance with a longer waterline.
· Centerboard has a foam adjusting knob which looks to be easy on the feet. The centerboard (and its soft-plastic casing) is easily removed with four screws. This removeable feature makes the deck flat and comfortable for surfing.

Impressions on the Water
· In 5 mph of wind, sheeting in is a bit of a time warp. The board glides and, with a little pressure placed across the centerboard, rails up nicely, making it easy to lean against the sail out over the water.
· Reminds me of what hooked me on windsurfing. It wasn't just the speed – it was the sensation being supported by the sail, silently cruising with my body a few inches over the water. This is real fun, and there's no real wind…
· Tacking is surprisingly responsive. Lean the sail and move those feet. Jibing – oops, centerboard down means pressure the windward rail. I'm rusty. It's been a while...
· Planing – Pumping in a gust, it climbs up to speed, going through 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears along the way. At first, it feels weird. Wide boards are all or nothing in speed. This offers a lot more planing gray area that's fun regardless of gusts or lulls.
· This is also exercise. The comfy deck encourages active feet. Move 'em for the ideal trim in each gust and you get rewarded. Rail rides – I still can't do 'em very well, but with this board I'd be inclined to learn because my shins aren't bleeding.
· Waves – Oh… My… Gosh… It's a Sherman tank. It motors over everything. Its centerboard lets you point straight into waves in onshore wind conditions. Its gliding prowess in light winds carries you right over the whitewater. It's so stable at slow speeds it's easy to regain balance after each wave rolls under you. This board could get a lot of wannabe wave sailors out into the surf safely. If they fall, hop on and uphaul.
· Wave riding – Careful of surfers, you catch waves well outside of their takeoff spots. Also, RUN back to keep the nose up when the wave gets critical -- otherwise you'll pearl. I did this once. Don't plan to repeat.

Overall Impression: I want this board. Its simple versatility combines the best of then and now. I also like that I can teach someone to sail on it, without necessarily steering them toward the gear expense and wind-waiting that comes with high-wind sailing. They can improve on this without outgrowing it. But as eager as I am to own one and get friends hooked with it, I more anxious to see what this board will do for the sport. It has the potential to put more happy sailors on the water in more locations, more often. Good news indeed. Very stoked, and very eager to see its impact on the sport. My bet is it will be a big one.

As to not sound like a sales pitch because some of you know I have an association with Exocet. I really believe that the concept of the Kona, Phantom and Windstyler is fantastic for windsurfing as a sport.

I have only had a chance to sail the Kona and I have no doubt this board will increase everybody’s time on the water greatly. This board amazed me the first time I used it, I am an average sailor who has only been wave sailing over the past 10 years. I now look forwarded to sailing on the river in light winds as this board gets up and going with ease. It is great to be able to say “I am going sailing at 5pm” and not have to look at the wind strengths. As you are confident that you will be able to sail in any conditions.

For what it is worth I recommended that everybody gives this style of board a try as I can almost guarantee you will triple your sailing time over the summer. These boards are great fun; they are fast and the turn with ease. Of coarse I recommend trying the Kona, but I recommend trying this style of board most of all.

Rob Goyen