FANATIC STYLE MASTER 10’6 LTD TEST REVIEW
FANATIC
STYLE MASTER 10’6 LTD
TEST REVIEW
Verdict:
Fresh out of the Style Master stable the 10’6 gives bigger riders access to the performance longboard market. With its wide lower rockered nose the Style Master picks up waves at ease and is begging to be nose ridden. It’s stable, light and stiff in Fanatic’s LTD construction and had the slimmest rails on the test. Our testers loved this Fanatic’s looks and longboard surfing feel; ideal for heavier longboarders.
Overview:
The Style Master’s deck features a very wide bamboo exposed nose, a diamond cut chunky pad with tail kick and twin leash plugs. This Fanatic has very slim performance rails and a fairly domed deck shape, a slightly smaller ledge handle than last year and a windsurf insert in the deck. Underneath, a classic proven bottom shape of single to double concave runs into a gentle vee in the tail. It also comes with a smart looking set of three glass fins.
Performance:
Let’s face it, I’ve said ‘longboard’ several times already, this is where this board is squarely aimed. It’s is a giant longboard, nice slim rails and a wide flat nose that’s just perfect for slopey, long sandbar waves. It picks up waves super early but is less happy in steeper shore break kind of waves as you would expect with its lower rockered nose. Once on a wave it has a large sweet spot letting you stroll around or set a line along the wave. The quality fin set up and thin rails gives you plenty of confidence to get further back and drive off the tail on a bigger wave where you can throw it around nicely. The Style Master had by far the widest nose of the trio so paddling out, as long as you shuffle back a touch, was no problem. The deck pad was the coarsest of the bunch on test, possible slightly uncomfortable for those with soft bare feet but it provided the best traction and of course it’s fine with boots. Clearly the Style Master is a very attractive board that makes a cracking performance longboard which is very much at home on the flat or surfing mellow waves. If you have dreams of trimming along endless emerald walls check it out.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• FANATIC STYLE MASTER 10’6″ LTD
• STARBOARD 10’5 WIDE POINT STARLITE