EZZY TAKA 5
Ian Whittaker has been using the EZZY Taka series of windsurf sails for the last few seasons – he has been spending quite a bit of time at Gwithians, Cornwall windsurfing and down here in the Witterings.
He is a windsurfer who is demanding on his kit but wants a stack of control, durability and performance for wave riding, jumping and aerials .
The entire Ezzy Sail range has been born out of Maui Hawaii but they work so well here in the UK – the durability and build quality is now a given with EZZY windsurf sails, but the new sails are now super light not only in physical weight but in the dynamic feel in hands on the water! A typical 5.0 Taka 5 is around 3.1 kg. The structure of the 3 and a half battened Ezzy Taka 5 sail makes it super stable and has an incredible wind range in gusty, light and heavy weather conditions.
Ian said – “The conditions were pretty big – logo to mast high sets rolling in maybe 35 people out there, it was buzzing everyone going for it! I found my new Taka 5 sails to be very stable in gusty offshore conditions and riding when I got overpowered I could control the speed and handle the gusts. At one point I got mowed down by a mast and quarter set wave had a big swim but kit fully intact.”
Ian Whittaker uses Ezzy Takas 5 -5.0/4.5/4.1 with Ezzy Hookipa masts ,Goya thruster 86 ,Goya carbon skinny boom.
Legendry photographer John Carter (windsurf magazine) kindly provided 2XS with pictures of Ian.
Speaking to Dave Ezzy recently I asked him to comment on the EZZY TAKA 5 here is what he said
“The Taka 5 is very similar to the Taka 4. Here are some taking points:
The clew and the tack patch on the Taka 5 have been re-shaped to make the clew and tack areas stronger and more durable.
The Taka 5 retains the light handling characteristics of the Taka 4.
The secret of the Taka 5 is the 3/4 batten above the boom, which allows the Taka to de-power in transitions.
One of the astonishing qualities of the Taka is how bloody good the Taka is over-powered. It rivals any 5 batten sail for high-end control. The other thing that makes the Taka the weapon of choice for many wave riders is how much low-end power you can get out of the Taka.
We are talking low-end, without the heavy feeling that plagues many sails when they are set full. When set full, the Taka retains its light feel, along with a massive forward drive.”
For the full spec on the Taka 5 check it out here
If you fancy testing a Taka 5 call 01243 512552 to book a test drive or email sales@2xs.co.uk
