Simons’ Review of the new Ezzy 2013 Legacy Sail

Posted on by Emile Kott
Ezzy Legacy 5.2 – 2013 Sail Test

I tested the new Ezzy Legacy last weekend in El Medano Tenerfife – firstly it was great to get back into a shorty and sail in air temperatures of 24c in full sunshine, it ensured leaving the 3 degree UK air temp was no hardship!

The Ezzy 2013 Legacy is Ezzy’s first take on a price point orientated sail, though first impressions I definately wouldn’t put it into this category but knowing Dave Ezzy well it didn’t surprise me. He’s not a man to cut corners on performance and quality just to save a few dollars, he’s even been able to keep the look sharp with clean graphics for a cool looking sail.
With a profile and dimensions which appear to be similar to that of the Panther 3 / Tiger, you’d easily mistake the Legacy as a flagship model if you’re coming to Ezzy from some another brand.

With time on my hands I took the unusual task of reading the instructions before rigging on the recommended Ezzy RDM mast, rigging the sail using the wind setting dots on the leach of the sail as my guide I found it very easy to tune the downhaul even though the Legacy comes with a pulley less D-ring.

Popping on a boom and setting the outhaul to the recommended max for a super windy El Medano (4.2 – 4.5 weather) I noted the omission of setting marks in the boom cut out area, and no built in mast pad. Looking closely there’s a new lighter luff material and a difference in the amount of seaming in the sail, a little less batten reinforcement compared to the Elites and Tigers and no neoprene piece by the head cap.(You can buy the extra mast pad, pulleys for the Ezzy legacy if you want them )

On the water the vision through the Legacy is incredible, the translucent see through nature gives a full 360 view of the water .I really liked the forward and solid centre of effort, no pulling or moving in the gusts -the sail is very stable and it felt good to be back on a 5 batten sail.

Cost savings normally hit performance first yet I’m not only surprised but happy to report that Dave Ezzy has been able to produce the sail without effecting your performance on the water.

The 5.2 Legacy felt good wave riding, stable, smooth and easy to de power yet, was spot on when you switched the power back on.

So good was the performance, shut your eye’s and it would be fairly hard to decide if you’re on a Legacy or Tiger!

If you want to test a Ezzy Tiger, Elite or Legacy call the UK Ezzy test centre on 01243 513077 or contact Simon and book it in simon@2xs.co.uk.

Ezzy owners are used to wind range and the Legacy continues that trend, if the wind drops reduce the downhaul, tune the outhaul and the Legacy will have you heading out for a second session.
I’ve yet to test the bigger sails but if the 5.2 is anything to by then I look forward to a few light days.
So with the 5.2 Tiger costing £505.00 compared to £375.00 for the 5.2 Legacy Dave Ezzy has produced something special for the wallet on a budget, and as that’s not saving enough, you can reduce the number of masts you need to rig the range.

You can BUY the sail here

See the Ezzy Legacy on the Ezzy website here

Gear used Ezzy 5.2 Legacy, 400 Ezzy RDM mast, Streamlined carbon boom, Streamlined carbon extension and RRD 83 cult quad.

Pics and test by Simon Bassett 2XS/X-train

Go Pro Pics taken with Carbon Mast Mount>>..

First look: RRD Cult Wave 2013

Posted on by Emile Kott

2013 RRD Cult Quad LTD at 2XS
Just had delivered the first in country 2013 75 RRD Cult quad ltd to the RRD test centre at West Wittering. Looks very different to the previous model – on first impression it is lighter, has a new fin set – (ultra fin style – more upright), a new outline – narrower rails and much thinner in overall thickness than previous cults. The new RRD cult Ltd 2013 has a flatter rocker line with more vee into a double concave and a narrow pintail.

You will notice each model is wider this season (approx 1 cm) so the concept here is thinner overall thickness for improved handling and early planning and a more surfboard thinner rail style for better grip and control.

Specs are as follows for 2013 models:
RRD Cult Wave Quad Ltd 75 Litres: 229×57, 83Ltrs X 230 X 57
RRD Cult Wave Quad Ltd 92 Litres: 231 X 61,100 litres 233 X 62

You notice the contest line is now called the LTD and is made in the super light contest construction. The RRP on these are £1650 and delivery is 15th September for the 92l, 75l, and 100l and then the 83l will be arriving 30th September.

If you need any more info please send me an email simon@2xs.co.uk

We looking forward to testing this board over the weekend as it look like it will be windy – call Chris @ the windsurf club on 01243 513077 to book your test ride.

Ezzy Panther Elite 2012 4 batten wave sail

Posted on by Emile Kott

Ezzy Panther Elite 2012 4 batten wave sail

Wouter from Seasprite sent me over a a 5.3 Ezzy Panther Elite for me to test out. Having used 5 batten sails for the last 15 years I looked at the sail with some uncertainty. For 2 weeks I put off using the the 5.3 just because of the unstable and backhanded feel I expected to get from the the 4 batten sail (this was my perception from previous 4 batten models from other brands ). But in fact I am so happy with my 5 batten Ezzy panther Ltds I was really not in the mood to change my sails at all.

I tried the 5.3 in 20 to 26 knots of wind side on shore conditions at West Wittering with waist to chest high waves – I rigged my 5.2 panther ltd too just in case I didn’t enjoy the the elite – I had pretty much convinced my self I wasn’t going to like the 4 batten sail(!)

After 2 hours of of windsurfing, getting some monster jumps and good riding I had one of the best sails I had for ages. The 5.3 didn’t over power or get backhanded –I just increased the out haul when I need less power and more control. It felt super light in my hands –perfect balance –not shifty and gives a real boost when you take off –different to the panther LTD. What I also liked was the back hand power in bottom turns you get some real controllable acceleration from the back hand when your riding. The Ezzy Panther Elite when riding or turning has a more noticeable de powered feel but also when you sheet in turns the power back on just when you need it.

When I took the 4.7 Elite out the wind kept building all day I started at high tide in around 30 knots all seem very good by the end of the day I was holding the 4.7 in 40 knots of wind on flat water –I increased the downhaul to the high wind setting and tuned the out haul and was stunned to find the sail held its shape and I felt in total control. Like all the Ezzys  I have owned the wind range per sail size is massive when you use the correct Ezzy mast.

Each person who also tested the sails on the beach both in flat water and in waves we very impressed with the performance its  not just a performance wave sail its great in flat water –if your not sure why not test one for yourself please contact me at 2xs to arrange a test -simon@2xs.co.uk  0774  775 8883

So I have just sold all my Ezzy panther Ltds and the rest of my set Panther Elites are arriving this week.

First look: Cabrinha 2013 Kite Gear

Posted on by Emile Kott

I attended the Cabrinha 2013 dealer launch last week in Poole. It was good to see all the usual team from Cabrinha including Chris Martin and Simon from the Pryde group. Also I met up with Susi Mai and Dre (team riders from Cabrinha). All the new toys were on display including the new surf board range in both PU and Epoxy. The boards have a combined wood and cork top sheet in the new models (a subwoofer, re tuned s-quad and skillet, the trigger and Pete Cabrinha’s own signature model).

Mike Rapier explained that Cabrinha have their own factory to make kites and now have a new factory making boards – the first boards are the beginning of a new project that they hope will push Cabrinha to the top of the board pile. The new twin tips look decent too with a stack of new models with refined existing models including Dre’s ‘Custom’ which has retuned channels/rocker, new tronic quad concave bottom, caliber and spectrum.

Susi May has developed a new line of ladies products in the ‘Siren’ line. The kites and boards have been tuned for women, and include narrower widths, a new bar with less through for depower, kites tuned for lighter riders who still want performance and yet they look good.

Lots of work has gone into developing the kite bar/lines/pumps –a complete re design for the switchblade. Work has been done on the bridles, foil shapes, material, colours and even the pumps have smoother action. (The pumps are see-through (!) so you can see the sand gathering inside). The drifter and vector have had a re fit with new material, lines, and tuned bridles. There is a redesigned X Bow which is faster for course-racing and a full bridled C Shape kite. And this year the Chaos which replaces the Nomad as the freestyle kite. The bar had had some tune ups including new lines, and detail work on the quick release with new ergonomic trim adjusters.

We will be having a Cabrinha demo of 2013 at West Wittering so watch this space ask simon@2xs.co.uk for details.

The New 2012 Ezzy Panther Elite.

Posted on by Emile Kott

The new Ezzy Panther Elite, four battened wave sail, has just arrived into the 2XS Office – you may of seen the pictures of the prototypes we put up in a 2XS news feature about a month ago of KP and Graham Ezzy.

The word is that this new sail has been worked hard by Dave and the R & D Team in Maui and they have evolved this new four batten sail so that when using it it feels as controllable as a five battened sail with a lighter feel and more manoeuvrability. 


 You know we don’t always believe in all the hype, but I have to say, Ezzy is a bit like Ronseal “it says what it does on the tin” – so its going to be exciting to try out this new sail. We have a 5.3m which we will have on the beach this weekend – and wind is forecast for Saturday so it looks like we can put it through its paces.

Availability will be end of July/early August – prices are expected to be between the current Panther Ltd and Tiger sails – we will have all the specs on the 2XS site as soon as we can. Prices TBC.

Call Simon if you want to check it out this weekend 0774 775 8883 email: simon@2xs.co.uk

First look: 2013 Gear in Maui, Hawaii

Posted on by Emile Kott

This year I didn’t manage the pilgrimage to Maui,but our friends the Mckirgans did and Alex shot a few photos at Ho’okipa-Maui.

These shots showcase the conditions and new toys coming up for 2013.

It looks like from the pictures that 4 battens sails are the main development and Ezzy seems to testing a number a prototypes. (You can see Kevin Pritchard and Graham Ezzy testing a EZZY 2013 4 batten prototype). Naish and Goya allso seem to be doing more work on their 4 batten sails.

On the board front they seem to adding more fins and JP appear to have some 5 fin box options on their wave boards. The quads seem to be getting faster and with improved fins and refined rocker lines.
There is also a trend with fast thrusters coming out with both Quattro and Fanatic having boards in this style.

We will find out new 2013 RRD boards when they have their launch next week in Cyprus…

Nik Baker recently told me about a new Fanatic thruster which he really rated as replacement to the Fanatic single fin board.

There are also rumors are also about that Goya will launch a new light weight blank in their 2013 models – Marcillo Brown, can be seen with a 2013 Goya Pro Wave with some subtle changes more vee new nose shape and narrower tail.

Thanks to Alex who sent the photos over to me. He has been windsurfing since the age of 5 years old and learnt hi initial skills on one of our X-train Rippers courses. He has been getting some coaching in Maui from the master coach himself Matt Pritchard…





 





































 

Grr Easy Tiger… The NEW Ezzy Tiger is in da house!

Posted on by Emile Kott
We have just taken delivery of the New 2012 Ezzy tiger in the 2XS office grrrrrrr.
This sail we haven’t tried yet is a very similar concept to the EZZY Panther Ltd but comes with standard sail cloth opposed to the custom sail cloth of the Panther LTD. I have a 4.7 were going to test next time its windy.
I had an email form the master himself Dave Ezzy who said “the Tiger has very close to the same performance as the Panther Limited. The Tiger might be a smidge more powerful and a tad more draft forward. The weights are similar, with the Tiger coming in only a few grams heavier than the Limited.”
If you not tried the panther LTD there is big reduction in weight of previous sails and it feels very light in your hands –what I like is the early planning you get from the new EZZYs without sacrificing any top end power. One thing is for sure the quality of these sails is by far the best in the industry.
Ezzy ltd>>
So if you fancy seeing the EZZY Tiger or looking at a new Ezzy Panther LTD please give me a call 0774 775 8883 or email me directly on simon@2xs.co.uk

See all the our Ezzy products here>>

Sneak a peek at Surftech 2012 products

Posted on by Emile Kott
Surftech 2012
We had chance to try and check the 2012 paddle surf boards from Surftech. We had a damp day to test some of the new sticks which included a new set of distance and race boards from Jamie Mitchell and New Laird Hamilton boards designed with Joe Bark. Surftech already have reputation for making some of the lightest distance race and paddlesurf models on the market the 2012 line does not disappoint. The new elite race boards felt very light carbon bottoms and tufflite tops seem spot on in the weight department-they also are making a tufflite only cheaper model of certain distance boards which does feel heavier than the elite boards but are acceptable – if you want top performance buy the elite model!
Surftech Roxy – 10.6 = £1145 and 9.6 = £1145
We didn’t have any girlie’s to try these so we thought we would try them ourselves – I really like the feel of these, and they felt very similar to the Pearson Arrow lairds –they are really stable easy to paddle and rode waves with great ease and were surprisingly loose. What was good was the fact the board tracked pretty well – but still rode small waves with great ease. They have a decent surfboard style rail line handle which was well placed and boards were light weight and easy to carry. 10.6 x 32.25 x 4.3 – 9.6 x 30 x 4.33

Jamie Mitchell Latitude 12.6 £1495 And 14ft £1695.00

The Jamie Mitchell models look very different this season – gone is the drawn out pin tail and now there is a high volume squash tail. The boards are super fast and feel more stable than the 12.6 of 2010 – we tried them in choppy windy conditions so it was not the most perfect test conditions. What you notice straight away is their weight – they are super light – the high volume tails give you the chance to get more pop when you paddle. As you compress into your paddle stroke as the paddle is forced down in the water – the shape and high volume tail is forced down into the water as the paddle gets released, the board rises out of the water and with forward momentum picks up speed. All sounds very technical but you do it nearly all the time on a sup with good paddle technique-the Mitchell tail shape improves this. The 14 ft is narrower than the 12.6 and once a cruising speed with hold that speed with a little less effort.

The Laird Race Tufflite 14 ft £1445

This is big volume board 275 ltrs 14 x 29.5 width 7.5 inches thick will suit big guys and we felt this board would make a great downwinder –super fast downwind has good footstearing and the vee bow drives through chop.We had a swept back fin on the test board so it was harder driving up into the wind I think a more upright fin would work better into the wind.The Elite model will cost £1595 –personally I spend the extra and get the lighter board. This board has been a collaboration between Joe Bark and Laird Hamilton so you know its going to be good. There is 12.6 model x 30″ and 7.75 inches thick 259 ltrs. This has a different shape more of a squash tail –feels very stable a similar concept to the bark competitor and is a great all rounder in different conditions. Volume has been reduced in front of the foot pad to reduce windage. They come in both pro elite construction £1395 and tufflite £1345.

Bark
Bark is legend in the paddleboard world his distance race and prone boards have brought him many titles –in the USA bark is king of many of the race comps and his production boards are result of a lot of R and D. We had the new competitor 12.6 and dominator 14 ft which have had a tune up with lower deck profiles forward of the pads. We also saw the Candice Applebee model in blue which we didn’t get chance to try.12.6 competitor elite £1545 (Candice Applebee model same as 12.6 competitor) dominator elite £1745. The boards are still as fast as last years so always a very good option.

We arrange demos for 2012 models and other surftechs please call simon on 0774 775 8883 for specific technical advice or email simon@2xs.co.uk

The cult of RRD equipment at West Wittering

Posted on by Emile Kott

Earlier this year the European Championships were help in St. Gilles Croix de Vie, Vendee, France. RRD team rider Sebastian Garat was crowned king for winning the final stop. There were seven days of spectacular competitions, varying wind conditions and beautiful waves at the beach. Garat and Kerneur were crowned European Champions.
RRD Team rider Sebastians favourite gear is the RRD Obsession MKIV and  Poison LTD 133/41!!!

Dan Sweeney has recently taken on the role of RRD UK Team manager at Seasprite. His job role includes working alongside the company developing and building the team, visiting shops educating staff and customers on the product . Dan’s equipment choices are the Obsession Pro and the Juice Twintip

 
RRD equipment has become very popular on the south coast, and a number of members of the West Wittering Windsurf Club have now been using their gear for many years.
Stuart Holland is a face that is frequently seen when ever the wind tips the magic 18 knot mark. He rides the 2012 RRD Obsessions and also the 2012 Maquina Surf board
 
Product Review by Stu Holland “I purchased the new RRD Obsession kites, 9 and 7m about a month ago and have now had some fantastic kite sessions with them. Although I usually kite in the waves, and always use a directional board, I have tended to prefer these ‘all-round’ kites like the Obsession, as I’ve found they have a bit more grunt and range than the waves specific kites. This makes them better suited to the South Coast type conditions. The 9m has seen the biggest improvement from last year, with much better unhooked capability whilst wave riding. Overall they are great all round kites- easy to fly, giving you versatility and a big wind-range”.

Neal Gent, the all round Witterings waterman loves his RRD 2012 Religions and also his brand new RRD Asso Pigliatutto

Chris Rainbow’s new ride is the super stylish RRD Style Twintip and twinned with the RRD Religion it makes for an epic riding combo.

Julia Toms has also been an RRD fan since the beginning of her kiteboarding life when she started on the RRD type 6! She now rides an RRD Obsession on a custom surf board.

There also a whole flock of RRD Passions to be seen on the beach. Jess Napper has been converted to kitesurfing from windsurfing and it was the RRD Passion that led her down the kiting router. She is frequently seen at the beach and also rides RRD Twintips boards.

*NEW* Ezzy 2012 Cheetah & Tiger Sails

Posted on by Emile Kott

Here a snapshot of what’s coming in January 2012 Ezzy has changed the Panther 3 to the new Ezzys Tiger 2012.

It has the same panel layout and shape as the Panther 2011 LTD  Click here to see the 2011 Ezzy Panther III

The Panther Ltd has been very well received with its new improved power range an- lighter handling and unique custom graphics.
The Ezzy Tiger has graphics and panel layout and new striking colours -see the pic of of Kevin Prichard smashing the lip at Hookipa Maui Hawaii.

The new Cheetah which is the replacement for the Ezzy Freeride. What you will get with the new sails is a reduction in overall sail weight as well as softer, lighter feel in your hands on the water without compromising the unusual strong and light wind performance you get from Ezzy sails.

We will be getting more details but this is all we have so far .