Original source: Exocet
This video from Exocet covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 3 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
How does a windsurfing board adapt to everything from calm lakes to choppy seas? One brand's answer lies in a hybrid design that prioritises both performance and rider comfort.
Exocet's Cross Board Aims for Versatility with Hybrid Design and Built-in Shock Absorbers
Windsurfing brand Exocet designed its Cross model as a versatile hybrid board for a wide array of conditions, from flat water to "bump and jump" waves. According to Patrice Bok, the board features fast planing capabilities and integrated shock absorbers underfoot. This design prioritises rider comfort and aims to reduce physical strain after a session.
The board's development points to a demand within recreational water sports for high-performance equipment that is also comfortable and adaptable. This allows enthusiasts to use a single board across various environments without feeling "broken everywhere" afterwards.
"We want to have comfortable, performing boards so that after the ride you don't feel you're broken everywhere."
Exocet Develops X-Wave Board Tailored for Imperfect European Conditions
The Exocet X-Wave is described by Patrice Bok as a "European-style wave board," specifically engineered for the often-challenging conditions found on the continent. The design anticipates choppy water and variable, side-onshore winds rather than perfect, clean waves. Key features include rounded rails for easier turning and shock absorbers for a more comfortable and controlled ride in rough seas.
This approach highlights a trend in sports equipment manufacturing toward regional specialisation. Instead of a one-size-fits-all global model, the board is optimised for the real-world, non-ideal conditions that many local enthusiasts regularly encounter.
"What we have in Europe is often some wave, some wind, but it can be a bit side-on, very choppy, rough condition. So the X-Wave is designed for that; it will excel in those type of conditions."
Exocet's Breeze Board Blends Longboard Stability with Wave-Riding Agility
Exocet's Breeze model introduces a unique longboard-inspired design intended to excel in light wind conditions, a common challenge for windsurfers. The board combines high volume at 145 litres for early planing and stability with thin rails and a special "step tail." This distinctive tail shape allows the board to perform sharp, powerful turns on waves without the nose diving, an agility typically associated with much smaller boards.
This design blurs traditional equipment categories by merging features from different styles. The focus is on solving a specific problem—making the most of imperfect wind days—rather than adhering to rigid classifications of board types.
"The board won't dive when you hit the lip, and it's also super comfortable... the board will pop out over the white water while you're going out."
Summarised from Exocet · 5:28. All credit belongs to the original creators. Exocet Windsurfing summarises publicly available video content.
