85 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 2025
85 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 2025
85 LITRE ALL-ROUND WAVE BOARD TEST 2025: WAVE MACHINES
After getting their hands on a selection of the latest and greatest 85L wave sleds, our Test Team put them to the test…
TEST EDITOR: JAMES HARDY // SECOND TESTER: CAM COGHILL // PHOTOS: JAMES HARDY// LOCATIONS: BRACKLESHAM, HAYLING ISLAND & RHOSNEIGR
OVERVIEW
The 85L wave board is an absolute staple in any wave sailors quiver, and for most of us it has been in hibernation through the summer months, so we are eager for the first autumn storms to hit our coastlines and deliver either wind blown waves, or even better, some proper groundswell for those readers lucky enough to be in prime position to score those.
Board choice is always dictated by riding style, but also the conditions we are likely to encounter and also the conditions we are primarily attracted too. In a nutshell, it’s quite personal, even more so when it comes to wave boards as we choose to really express ourselves while riding. Each board of course has plenty of design and development, but if it doesn’t click with the way you ride, then you aren’t going to develop that natural connection with the board – it’s not that the board is necessarily bad. A board is much like a pair of shoes, in the sense that it’s very personal… what I like, can and often is, completely different to what someone else likes. Imagine how boring it would be if we all liked the same thing…
Translate this into wave boards and you have a whole host of personal preferences and combinations that we as individuals both want and don’t want from an 85L wave board. Do you want speed? Do you want ultimate agility? Do you want complete and utter usability requiring minimal input from the rider? Or at the other end of the scale, do you desire a board that really needs rider input to perform?
It’s important to note that one board can’t have it all – especially as you look towards the performance end of the spectrum, which I would suggest we are in with the 85L wave board category. I think it’s very important we remember that when looking at the boards in the lineup, but also when we are talking to others at your local spot. No matter what the brand says, each board will have its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s about finding out not only what works for you, but also which board will best suite the conditions you are most likely to ride in.
This year’s selection consisted of a strong lineup and there is something in here for everyone. What was great for myself is that being at the broader end of the scale in stature, the boards carried my stature nicely, that’s partly due to them being between the 85L and 90L mark, but also because some the boards feature new shapes and design tweaks. Another noticeable development has been that a couple of the brands have reduced the weight of their boards by eye-catching margins. Without further ado, let’s dive into the lineup…
Kicking us off with its lightning pace and an innate ability to position you in the perfect place on demand is the Severne Pyro, which demands a committed attitude. From Starboard we have the Ultra, which based on looks is very wave-orientated in shape, while still offering plenty of comfort when riding. The Ultra is also happy to be ridden off either the front or back foot depending on the kind of wave you are riding. Meanwhile, ultimate usability comes with the Duotone Grip 4 SLS, as it merges performance and ease of use in a tidy package to suit mere mortal riders who like to push into cleaner, more punchy waves. Next up we have the Ultimate Wave from JP, which in its brand-new S-Tec construction is impressively light and loves to utilise the power of the wave to perform powerful and snappy turns. Our penultimate board is the Quatro Cube, which offers a wonderful blend of performance and ease of use, keeping you locked into the wave and the manoeuvres you choose to perform. Finally, the Goya Custom Quad 8 displays ultimate riding agility thanks to its significantly reduced weight, while some subtle design tweaks mean it carries rider weight easily too – even when underpowered.
THE LINEUP
– Goya Custom Quad 8 Pro Carbon 88L
– JP Australia Ultimate Wave S-Tec 87L
– Starboard Ultra Carbon Reflex 86L
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