OES XR115 Freeride board - 1st impressions

OES XR115 Freeride board (with 34cm xcross fin) - 1st impressions.



1st impressions are very good :). I sailed at one of my favourite
spots today in crappy winds (5-15 knots). Temperature was about 16C.
Water temperature about 8C. Sun shining

In these conditions I would normally rig my largest sail. However, Since I
was sailing on an unknown board and didn't want the remote possibly of
becoming overpowered on something I was not used too. So I rigged my
smallest: a 5.2m wave sail.

A bit of background: I have been sailing for a season using a 2006 148L
Bic Techno2 freeride board, and a quiver of 5.2m and 6.8m wave sails. I
am 65kg and 1.7m high. On my Bic Techno2, I learnt all of the basics
(except plane gybe). These are: beach start, water start, tack,
harness, straps, gybe, foot steer. When I grow up (I am sure that some
of the WindsurfingSA forum members don't think that this is possible
hehe , I want to be a wave sailor . When I contacted OES and asked
for a board suitable for sailing conditions at Semaphore beach during
summer seabreezes, they recommended a 120L freeride board (which I
deviated from - see below).

Semaphore beach:


Semphore is a stretch of beach that has cross-shore or on-shore summer
seabreezes of 25knot average, that peak to up to 40knots some days. The
water is very choppy during high tide. Chop is normally about a metre
high. I selected a 115L freeride design, as I want something easy to
use to complete my intermediate phase. When (if) I do become a wave
sailor, this board will become my "floater" when I eventually get my
sinker. If I was average weight, I would have gone with their
recommendation of 120L size. Since I am 65kg, I went with a 115L board.

I did a three hour session today at a place called "the wall" (about 5km
up the coast from Semaphore), in crappy winds. This is a very popular
spot for beginner/intermediate windsurfers and Kitesurfers during
winter, as the breaks in a northerly wind filters out the chop, but
allows the nice 1 metre wave sets. Unfortunately, most of my sailing
was not-planing. Only two runs did I manage plane and get into the
front straps. However, the handling of this board is awesome. It goes
up wind very well. If I was on my Bic Techno2 (even with my biggest
rig), I would be doing my usual 500m beach walks every 2-3 runs.

The Wall:


This board is fairly easy to uphaul; only slightly more difficult than
the Bic Techno2.

On the whole, I find this board heaps easier than the Bic Techno2. This
is apparent the very instant you beach start. One of the big
differences between my Bic Techno2 and this board (other than the volume
and weight) is that this board has most of it's weight in the tail side
of the board (ie where you stand). The front of the board has virtually
no weight, where as the Bic Techno's weight is even through out the
board. What this does, I am not sure... however, the XR115 feels great
to sail

I am hoping for better winds next weekend. I can't wait to see how this
puppy carves in real wind when in the straps and harness :). I'll keep
anyone who is interested updated. So far, I am impressed

Ja

Ja, that puppy looks mean! his tongue is sticking out! your gonna blitz all of us, damn you! you'll be carve gybing before you can say woof woof!