ezzywave-se5.8

OTC EQUIPMENT REVIEW 2008
EZZYWAVE-SE5.8
ATAGLANCE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Wave SE is the sweetheart and foundation
of the Ezzy range and is available in no less
than 15 sizes from 2.9m to 6.9m.
It has a very distinctive appearance on the
water, the concave leech outline and high
angled top batten giving the sail a tall
appearance.
The 2008 version has the same deep forward
profile in its draft, although it’s been refined
slightly from last year’s version with a slightly
shallower profile.
Nevertheless it extends through most of the
sail, right up to third batten where it is still
significant.
Very well engineered, ensuring years of
service: Long ribbed leech battens in three
top panels. Vinyl window Wide luff tube,
allowing easy access to RDM mast.
Spectra X-film throughout panels, no
monofilm. Foot beading up to clew.
Batten key built into foot and easily available.
Extended highly padded tack fairing and an
industrial tack pulley that can be changed to
single eyelet if required.
RIGGINGANDSET
•
•
•
•
An Ezzy sail sets and is tuned unlike any other
sail in this group...or on the market for that
matter. Applying the downhaul, there is loads
of shape forward in the draft, the batten
completely de-rotated away from the mast.
There is only a minimal amount of tuning
range on the downhaul, varying the looseness
in the second panel down between the front
and back of the ‘swoosh’. Throughout this
range, the leech is always very loose in the
top panel, but relatively tight in its
mid-section.
The majority of the sail’s tuning range as
achieved through varying the outhaul,
although we found the visual aid strings of
relatively little use when tuning the sail’s
power.
Finally, the tack strap needs to be applied
firmly to tension the foot of the sail, pulling on
it hard enough to create a crease in the
material in the foot of the sail.
•
•
•
•
Not as powerful as last years, but not
embarrassing early planing compared to
others here.
Once going it feels super balanced and stable,
with quite a precise balance point, very
manageable and extra power supplied is
delivered as acceleration to the board.
Combined with an efficient board on a wave
face it is a great performer providing the
power to drive the board deep and hard
through the turn.
It is then easy to reposition through the carve,
not going neutral yet the balance at speed
makes it easy.
Top end stability is awesome.
THEVERDICT
Suitability: Constant power can be misinterpreted as
the sail feelling heavy by less experienced. Best suited
to heavier more dedicated wave sailor to provide power
to ride waves in less than ideal conditions.
+ Insane stability and build quality.
- Pound for pound not as powerful as last year’s
incarnation.
The Ezzy is a true light wind wave sail with a solid yet
dependable character that provides constant power to
pull the rider through tight turns.
RIDEANDHANDLING
•
•
•
•
Same as the 5.2m ... but:
Plenty of luff tube material plus the pre-shape
makes the sail have a very deep profile once
the wind fills in.
Feels solid yet balanced in the hands.
Definitely never goes neutral, always
providing constant power.
The Official Test Centre
Windsurf Holidays. With Purpose
El Médano, Tenerife
T: +44 (0)121 288 9965 (UK)
T: +34 922 179 401 (Tenerife)
W: www.otc-windsurf.com
E: [email protected]
OTC EQUIPMENT REVIEW 2008
Harbour Wall
Cabezo
South Bay
The OTC
.
And again I can’t
recommend the OTC
enough. While I was there
I tried about 8 boards and
quite a lot of sails. The
range of kit and the lads
who run the place are just
brilliant.
Ken Morton
iwindsurf.co.uk Forum
What is The OTC?
CONCEPT
The OTC is a unique windsurfing centre offering the first
real opportunity for you to compare the boards and sails
from each major brand for yourself … and all in the relaxed
atmosphere of a holiday environment. It was the brainchild
of Tris Best, who, acknowledging the privileged position he
was in whilst testing all the latest windsurfing equipment
for magazines, wanted to extend the same opportunity to a
wider audience.
EQUIPMENT
The centre stocks the very latest equipment from all the
major board and sail manufacturers, including:
Boards: Exocet, F2, Fanatic, Goya, JP Australia, Mistral,
Naish, RRD, Starboard, Tabou, Witchcraft
Sails: Ezzy, Gaastra, Naish, Neil Pryde, North Sails,
Severne, Simmer, Tushingham
From wave to freestyle and crossover, into the expansive
realms of freeride, almost every discipline and equipment
category is represented, catering for all rider styles and
abilities.
The Harbour Wall is easily accessible from the centre, and
offers a clean smooth face at the right tide state. A good
introduction to wave riding for the uninitiated, it is a great
deal of fun to ride, with the added security of a safe exit
channel within easy reach at all times.
Cabezo is the northern most bay of the town, which, with its
typical European cross-onshore conditions provides the
ideal test arena for wave and crossover equipment. Hosting
World Tour events in the past, the sailing standard in the
bay is awe-inspiring and is sure to captivate even the
non-windsurfer’s imagination.
THE CENTRE
Contained in a modern building directly on the beachfront
of South Bay, the centre caters for a limited number of
clients each week, ensuring every opportunity to try the
desired kit.
WIND STATISTICS
Boasting over 250 days of planing conditions (force four and
above) a year, El Médano is Tenerife’s primary windsurfing
location and is well exposed to the influence of the Atlantic,
offering some of the most consistent conditions found in the
Canarian archipelago.
LOCATION
The centre is situated in the town of El Médano on the
island of Tenerife just ten minutes transfer from Reina Sofia
Airport in the south. With an average air temperature of 22
degrees Celsius, the OTC is open throughout the year, and
benefits from three fantastic windsurfing areas to cater for
every windsurfing ability and preference.
South Bay is a true windsurfer’s playground ideal for
intermediates and above, providing a large bump-and-jump
sailing area with the added benefit of having a safe,
enclosed sandy beach.
The Official Test Centre
Windsurf Holidays. With Purpose
El Médano, Tenerife
T: +44 (0)121 288 9965 (UK)
T: +34 922 179 401 (Tenerife)
W: www.otc-windsurf.com
E: [email protected]