FANATIC
ALLWAVE VNT 8’9
TEST REVIEW

Verdict
The Fanatic Allwave now in Fanatic’s new VNT construction feels very solid and tough on the water. The shape gives this chunky board a very easy but precise nature. We really enjoyed the safe and secure feel – it’s very predictable to turn – but plenty grippy enough to drive speed though the turns. The Allwave already has a cult following and fantastic resale if you decide you’ve out grown it. Probably one of the best first-time wave boards for medium size riders or a great performance shape for the bigger guys; this board will bring your SUP surfing to new higher levels with ease.

Overview
Looking sharp in its new construction of reinforced bamboo, tough paintless rails, and visible centre stringer. The deck has a diamond cut ¾ deck pad with kick pad, windsurf insert and air valve on the slightly doomed top and a good-sized ledge handle. Underneath the bottom runs from a single through to a soft double concave and into a vee and at the back three future box 5” glass fins and sharp thin rails in the tail. The rails have a net fibre and pigment rather than lots of gel coat to chip off, like in the old days. The rails are good and chunky upfront with a soft grippy form and taper nicely towards the tail giving a thin sharp edge in the tail, all good stuff that works.

Brand Claim:
The fast rocker line and stable stance offer straightforward wave catching characteristics and good speed, allowing you to focus 100 % on the wave. The four sizes increase in length – with minimal additional width – to guarantee a smooth flow all the way through the models for the heavier riders. Whether conditions are choppy, small and testing, or clean overhead walls, the AllWave is the perfect tool for enjoyment, ease and progression.

Performance
Some boards you jump on and struggle to get used to while others just feel comfortable and right straight away. The Allwave  is a joy to ride right from your first wave on it. The 8’9 offers plenty of stability with its chunky well-hidden volume, the deck shape is slightly domed and it has a good grippy pad, you can stand in most places on the board and it’ll still catch waves easily. Once up and surfing you’ll find the more you stand back on it the more grip and performance you’ll get out of the board. The generous nose rocker gets you out of most problems with ease, the fins grip well and offer a very secure feel on a wave. Now in Fanatics’s one shot construction (no need to save up for the better one, it’s gone) the Allwave is a very attractive board for someone wanting to progress forward with their surfing.  A highly recommended board; no wonder they get snapped up so quickly second hand, you simply can go wrong on one.

www.fanatic.com/sup

OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:

Aqua Inc Air Rider 14’
Fanatic Allwave VNT 8’9
JP Foil Pro 7’0
Loco El Diablo 8’2
O’Shea 10’8 HDX
Red Compact 9’6
Red Whip 8’10
RRD LongSUP 9’8
Starboard Longboard 10’0

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