Yesterday I got the 2011 Starboard Futura 93 from Hans Kleingeld to try, did also some windsurfing at Strand Horst. This morning I did a quick check if the Brace would be OK, but it didn't.
Soo went to the Amstelmeer, nice sunny weather, strong wind. PERFECT to explore the new futura potential. At the schapendijk I saw this fisherman again in his boat (I told him about the problems we had), it turned out he worked hard and even more dangerous lines in the water now (I guess he didn't understand me). Rigged my 6.2 and SL-S 34cm. First reach was powerfull, but a bad feeling (everywhere could be a new fishtrap). After the first gybe and back I hitted a new fishtrap at lower speed. After this on the way back a low 60km/h run
The first real run (35kn) I decided to open the throttle more and it went well, not completly balanced (but futura doesn't mind this). Hitted nothing, all OK. Back again a high 60km/h run.
Second run it went wrong, I hitted the fishline (in my best run). I knew my fin was gone, about 1 or 2 sec I was still on the board, but the wind/waves got too strong and I was full downwind, full catapult. Now I can tell you without a fin it is DAMN hard to brake!! The equipment felt like even accelerating. I was damn happy the fin broke from safety point of view, it gave me 2 seconds to respond, I bet if it wasn't a strong gust it would be OK to brake 'normal'. Still sore feelings I had soo much good memories with this fin, but called Joerg and ordered a new one.
I had no other fin with me, soo sitted on the futura and floated to Lutjestrand, this took almost 50minutes. Yes, in water around 3 degrees Celsius... Here wad1team members Gauke and John picked me up, and I was damn lucky they saw me crash! And it could have been soo much worse.
Here you can find the GPS-speedsurfing details:
http://www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx?mnu=user&val=72738&uid=870
About the Futura 93, first experience was great! Sonntag SL-S 34cm is working perfect and the futura has taken speed&control to new levels. I have to test more (now only 23 minutes time on water), but after today I wouldn't be affraid to chose the Futura 93 as my "90-liter-speedweapon", the fact I had not found to ultra balanced settings yet but still
the board was very much in control! Very good value for money (you even get a fin). Next time I try to reach close to my Amstelmeer PR.
About the fishtraps, I will definitly will do my very best to get these fishtraps at some safe depth or safe location. Not acceptable for a spot visited by thousands of windsurfers/sailors and other water recreants. I windsurf at the Amstelmeer since 2006 and never experienced soo much trouble.
Author: Erik Loots
www.speedsurfingblog.com
