JP Australia Freestyle Wave 2006 review and board test

Last year Ricardo Campaello described the JP Australia Freestyle Waves as "completely rewriting the one board quiver rulebook". For 2006 JP have managed to take these amazing designs another stage further. A brand new format for the new season, the Freestyle Waves are now the most versatile boards ever produced in the JP range.

There are four revolutionary designs available in two different constructions - the Pro version and Full Wood Sandwich. These boards push the frontiers of windsurfing - being the earliest to plane, amazing high top end speeds, fantastic for jumping, super loose in the turns and compact for freestyle use.

If you are looking for a board that really does it all - then look no further than the JP Australia Freestyle Wave 2006.

Magazine Tests

JP Freestyle Wave 85 FWS

WHAT WE LIKED: Where to begin? A standout for planing power and all-purpose use. Expert freestyle and wave testers liked it, and so did our back-and-forth free-riders – a rarity.

BETTER THAN THE FLEET AT: Charming testers of all abilities.

BEST SUITS: Intermediate to expert sailors looking for a fun, versatile board.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS: The test team logged more sessions on it than on any other board – a sign they liked it. Pro Edition model is also available...

PLANCHEMAG, France
March-April 2006, p803

JP Freestyle Wave 85 Pro - Responsive, dynamic, explosive, this is a cannon bullet

...It is the most responsive board in this group and the most dynamic. Perfect to discover or push the limits in freestyle. In jumps, it offers an impressive take off which allows to fly higher than with a pure wave board. It is perfect for bump&jump and onshore wave conditions, it also sails very easy in side shore waves...

WIND, France
Oct-Nov 2005, p443

JP Freestyle Wave 85 - An exemplary Arrogance and Wildness

Attention: Very top-of-the-range... Ultra reduced and fine like a custom board it addresses all those who have the means to affording some pleasure. Sandwich charged with Carbon and Kevlar for the solidity. Finally the foot straps are thick and comfortable... due to its reduced weight it floats well and the early planing is spectacularly on this new-age-convertible. The lightness coupled with the perfectly adapted scoop allows the board to plane in the lightest breeze. It offers exemplary smoothness, with true sensations of speed. It flies over the chop and the slightest ramp confirms its agility: you completely forget about the board because of its very good handling. The important bevel allows freestylers to plane and pivot without fear. The initiation of turns happens without effort, even in waves, the tail section is thin enough to allow great carving without any apprehension...

WINDSURF, UK,
#251, Oct/Nov 2005, p36

JP Freestyle Wave 93 Pro

At a Glance
The Freestyle Wave range from JP has quite a distinguished history, the original 85L version back in 2001 being the design that largely ignited the freestyle-wave crossover phenomenon. Shorter and slightly wider than its predecessor, the 93 adopts a fast rocker-line, with the finbox placed well back in the tail. The deck is very domed, leading to thin rails and a subtle bevel in the tail...

Ride and Handling
The FSW93 has a distinct ‘plug and play’ ease to its riding style that will endear it to competent and expert sailors alike. Instinctively rising onto the plane as power comes on, it accelerates efficiently under the rider’s feet, and  encourages them into a locked-in stance, driving hard against the fin and  pushing the board to an impressive blasting speed.

Manoeuvres
On the wave face, the  93 does prefer a longer more drawn out bottom-turn and is more critical of technique, asking the rider to get well forward to keep the speed in the turn. Although not a natural wave riding machine, it certainly doesn’t feel out of place around a break, and has plenty of fin drive for backside riding. In freestyle the JP pops and pivots easily, feeling crisp and compact underfoot.

Plug and play ease, blasting control and early planing.

PLANCHEMAG, France
#280, Sept 2005, p28

JP Freestyle Wave 93 Pro - A Bomb regarding Sensations

The Shape
The 4th generation of Freestyle Wave boards consists of four models (78, 85, 93, 102) and is from now on available in version FWS and Pro Edition (600 to 800 grams lighter). Shorter than the FSW 91 from 2005, this 93 features a straighter bottom curve than the average, with  -like always- the channels along the bottom to retain more curve on the outside than the inside. The other particularity of this board is the tail bevel at the rear to make spocks and sliding moves easier. Slim, spindle-shape, it is well equipped with a 27cm fin. This sandwich construction benefits of a bit of Kevlar and the hull is covered in carbon. A record weight of 5,9 kg measured.

Impression of the Test Team
Electrifying regarding early planing, the JP Australia is a board which delivers lots of sensation and with it you permanently sail full speed.
It is very fast upwind as well as in light winds it appears as the lightest board in this test and as one of the stiffest. It is amongst the most reactive ones. Full speed, and wants nothing but to jump and wave sailing.
It works perfectly in onshore conditions because of its acceleration and potential to go upwind in the foamy waves. It turns very tight with pressure on the rail. Thus, in side shore conditions it fits for waves that lack the wind necessary for classic wave boards. With front foot pressure the Freestyle Wave carves into wide bottom turns like a classic wave board. A good board for light to medium winds when used in waves, and for moderate to high winds in bump&jump mode. Same for freeride use where it moves greatly with the straps in the outside position where it matches the classic freeride boards.

Finally, in the jibe, you carve on the rail without loosing speed. A bomb for those who want to push the limits.

Conclusion
Very loose, this board is a hero for jumping, surfing and attacking in freestyle when the conditions are not perfect. An excellent board for small waves and medium winds, which stands out when freeriding in medium winds to overpowered.

Specifications:

More information: JP Australia

Source: Riks Windsurfing