STARBOARD LONGBOARD 10’0 TEST REVIEW
STARBOARD
LONGBOARD 10’0
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
The SUP longboard game is gathering pace and Starboard have just introduced a belter of a player. We were lucky enough to test the premium Flax Balsa version which has got to be one of the tastiest looking boards on the market. This board hasn’t got a straight edge on it and it surfs as hard or as easy as you’d like to push it. We found the grip and drive off the bottom turn amazing for a board of this length and the forgiving cut backs are easy to maintain speed and flow along the wave. A progressive longboard that’s feather-light and a joy to use.
Overview
The Starboard Longboard features plenty of innovation, on deck you notice the thinness (only 3.3”), soft die-cut deck pad, off set large soft edge ledge handle, kickpad with centre arch on the tail and a bright diamond tail. The Flax rails are super-soft up front and sharpen nicely at the tail. Underneath the end grain Balsa is visible below a light paint and clear laminate combo. The bottom shape has a soft vee running into a double concave and finally a vee in the tail. This board is pretty thin throughout and it feels super light.
Brand claim
Inspired by our legendary Starboard Surf Longboard model, designed to perform in waves from 1ft small beach breaks to head high reef breaks. The boards offer fast down-the-line surfing, as well as the ability to perform in the critical section of the wave. These cutting-edge shapes are totally well received by our team riders and anyone who have tested them.
Performance
It’s a pleasure to stride down the beach with such a light, easy to carry board. Not only does this board look great it also has heaps of performance to match. With plenty of glide the 10’ slides into any wave with ease, the gradual nose rocker seems to get you out of most drop ins unscathed. The Starboard has a large sweet spot the board can be driven hard off a bottom turn and snapped back off the top, or you can just cruise along and trim from further forward on the board – the grippy soft forward rails feel super secure. One thing we noticed with such a thin light board was the judder popping over the waves, this board has a fair bit of flex to it which was noticeable (the cheaper Pinetec has three T-stringers so should be stiffer). With all of its green pedigree this board looks awesome, it’s super light and your friends will be drooling over it. This Starboard has a great range of performance and feels at home on slopey waves or chunky beach breaks. As a performance all-round longboard this board really has it all, there was just about nothing we didn’t like about it, unless you worry about the price, but hey the Pinetec almost looks like a bargain at less than £2K.
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