Cause i like reading all the reviews and stories, decided i'd contribute.
Background:
( 78kg, 176cm )
A mad keen windsurfer from way back, basically every possible day from 1992 - 1996 when at Uni, and heaps until 2000 when i had my first kid. Sold the wave gear. Then a couple days a year tailing off to 2010 when i decided that the rest of the kit hanging around in the garage would be better off someplace else, and if i ever got excited again i'd get new kit.
Basically at that stage I had ended up with a 85L F2 sputnik and a brace of full NP race sails, as you do when you go more hardcore every year, every time I had a spare moment and ventured down to the beach spent most of the time either waiting or sinking. Basically not having a real fun time windsurfing.
Also a 3 time a week surfer, various other sports taking all that spare time.
And then:
This year I was in Italy on Lake Como watching the freeride guys rip it up and was inspired to get back into it - came back and wound up my windsurfing mate who was pretty much in the same situation.
Did some research, got excited about new style kit, demoed a JP All ride 106, and a Magic ride 120, while the all ride was fun, it was still a hassle in the lulls (just from a doggin around point of view), the magic ride being too big (I knew that but it wasn't a windy day when i demo'ed it, and i wanted to see what it would be like) decided to maximise the fun to hassle ratio and get a Starboard atom 110. Paired it with a 6.7 Hellcat on a RDM for one kit to rule them all.
Been out three times since, Pittwater mostly but including yesterday in 5 gusting 25 knots on the lake, Sore arms, big grin!
Easy to rig, easy to tack and gybe, goes upwind even when not planing, never have to swim to shore ;-) Still pretty fast, jumps nice.
Even fun not planing, just mucking around, heli tacks etc. It's not hardcore but it's more fun!
My mate got a new Gecko 135 with a Hellcat 7.3 (being 100kg) loves it, considering he was also coming from a 85L sinker.
nice review mate. like you said, its not all about being on high end performance gear. plenty of fun to be had on free ride kit.
Hi Redfrogs, I love my atomic 110 as well, my gybing success rate has improved massively since purchasing my 110. I think it is the perfect board for Sydney with gusty winds etc. Planes quickly, can up haul it easy, and don't hesitate about going out as I have never been caught out having to swim it home. I also sail on the narrabeen lake sometimes and would be keen to give Pittwater a go.
Hey Dean, good to see that you have got some great kit mate. I don't think I would call it low end, most of the big brands now offer the new compact move kind of Freeride kit and you could even call it state of the art for Freeride. I was looking at the Gecko 98 for a mid size bay blaster, but I ended up with an older JP FSW 101, I guess partly because the design is proven and also it was musch cheaper. Wouldnt rule one out in the future. Enjoy !
+1 those extra wide freeride boards are awesome, I had a go on a rrd firemove ltd, what a fun board it was !!
Real fast to get on the plane, gybed in autopilot mode. I was smiling the whole ride.
Definitely the type of board I will get when I'm tired (or too old) of those slalom boards
Great Story and review, a lot to be said for a simpler set up, new gear has so much range these days, which simply means you need less kit, less time rigging and mucking around and more time on the water....
I saw one of those green boards at the Green Island Nats not only keep up with but went faster than dedicated slalom kit in the 'heavy conditions', sadly wasn't piloted by Dean!
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said..
Great Story and review, a lot to be said for a simpler set up, new gear has so much range these days, which simply means you need less kit, less time rigging and mucking around and more time on the water....
I saw one of those green boards at the Green Island Nats not only keep up with but went faster than dedicated slalom kit in the 'heavy conditions', sadly wasn't piloted by Dean!
I heard Foxy was pretty quick on them. I think with softer rails as compared to a dedicated slalom board one is more able to push it harder without so much fear of going over the front. I haven't even managed to smash the nose on mine and I have had for about 7 months now which is really unusual. One other difference compared to a slalom board is that it doesn't seem to have much of a fixed gybe radius. It doesn't really do a full on lay down gybe, holding a good turn radius, but it is easy to vary in turn to dodge people who have fallen at the mark. I haven't really explored this feature fully however as normally I'm the one at the back of the pack. The other thing the atomic does really well is that if it falls off the plane it is super easy to gybe on the putt. I rarely come off it in light winds and I'm around 87kg and as Jonesy has pointed out a pretty average sailor. I agree with Jonesy though, with the right sailor in rougher seas and possibly gusty winds it could potentially win easily with it's Isonic rocker line. Next time however I am going to take notice of the forecast and take a 5.5m as holding the 6.5m in plus 30 knots was beyond my skill and fitness. See you next year at Green Island Jonesy I won't be a GI virgin in 2015.
Nice review redfrogs,
So good to see more reviews of performance/ freeride equipment.
Well done getting back into the sport with such nice gear after the research.
Some key words of wisdom there, enjoy the summer
Thanks Guys,It was hard to find any actual non-magazine reviews of any kit on the net.
Good to see the pics from people, keep them coming!
The only thing about the lake was having to tack and sail backwards every second run to get the weed off. Although it's against my new system of minimal gear i might have to make an exception for a weed fin. Anyone use one on a 110? Size?
Can't wait for some pumping NE. G
That Green on Green is making me Green with Envy! Great looking kit!...how are you liking those big fat comfy pads on the Atomic...they look deluxe!
It's all about colour coordination...
Yeah the pads are good, in fact the whole deck layout and grip etc is excellent coming from a F2 and BIC Rap style boards which were slippery as snot, and skinny to go with it. It's like strolling around on a boat.
The board (second hand) cam with straps forwards which I tried for one go then put them all the way back/out, drives off the fin nicely.
Speaking of which, it's a 40cm Nitro, too small?
Redfrogs I'm currently using a G10 Weedster 320 that I bought from Sam with my atomic 110. Works really well with my 6.5m NCX. Is a little small for my 7.5m Turbo, but ok as long as you don't load up the back foot too much.
Select to expand quoteJonesySail said..
That Green on Green is making me Green with Envy! Great looking kit!...how are you liking those big fat comfy pads on the Atomic...they look deluxe!
The Pads are excellent on the Atomic Jonesy. You need one as your rough water board, it will match your Green Sail and the Green Pilot.
