News Every Day | 24 September 2023, 09:09

SIMMER BLACKBIRD SL 920 2023 TEST REVIEW

The Verdict

Smooth and fast, Simmer’s Blackbird SL performs best at speed, making fast foil windsurfing extremely accessible. With speed that continues to glide even after the power is shut off, the Blackbird SL provides the necessary time in the gybe to foil through smoothly.

The Lowdown

Next up on test is the Blackbird SL set-up, with the mast swapped out for a Surf Carbon 85 mast.

The Blackbird SL has a 95 cm fuselage and a 920 cm2 carbon front wing, and is a freerace to racing foil specifically designed for medium to high wind conditions. The front wing is high-aspect with a thin profile. With a wingspan of 878 mm, a chord width of 130 mm, and an aspect ratio of 6:8, the Blackbird front wing looked to be a force to be reckoned with on the straights. The 280 cm2 carbon rear wing, designed with a flat profile and an 85 mm chord, possesses adjustable screw slots that allow riders to fine-tune their back stabiliser for more lift or higher speed. Seamlessly connecting to any size of wings in the Simmer Style range, the Blackbird Alu Fuselage is lightweight and extremely strong, thanks to its CNC machined high-grade aluminium construction. The Surf Carbon 85 mast, manufactured from pre-preg high-modulus uni-axial and bi-axial Toray carbon, boasts a seamless connection to any fuselage length in the Blackbird range.

Brand Claim

“Designed to go as fast as possible with a wide wind range and great upwind characteristics. A low-drag foil for the more advanced riders. The long fuselage makes the foil super-stable for high-speed levitation.”

Performance

The Blackbird SL’s stability comes from its speed. Once the board is driven onto the foil and the desired velocity is reached, the foil feels secure and rapid, slicing through the water with consummate grace. It’s a unique sensation, as if the foil has a mind of its own, inviting the rider to trust it and push their weight into the harness.

This racing-oriented design imbues the foil with a sense of familiarity and ease for the riders used to race-oriented foils. The foil’s ability to fly itself at speed offers an unparalleled confidence boost, empowering riders to extract every last bit of performance from their gear.

As you manoeuvre through the gybe, the Blackbird SL truly shines. When speed is maintained, the foil glides effortlessly, offering the choice between a swift turn or an extended carving arc.

However, it is crucial to remember that maintaining speed is the key to unlocking the Blackbird SL’s potential. The foil’s stability is contingent on velocity, and only through mastering this aspect will riders truly experience all the performance it offers.

In conclusion, the Simmer Blackbird SL is an impressive piece of engineering, delivering remarkable speed and stability. If you are a rider looking for that racing feel combined with ease of use, this is one to look out for.