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RRD WAVE CULT 250
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WAVE CULT 250
Length: 244 cm Width: 53 cm
Volume: 72 ltrs Weight: 14/6.6kg
Upwind: 3.47 Planing: 3.84
Speed: 3.84 Handling: 4.05
Jibe: 3.95 Overall: 3.83
Price: $1,295
Includes: Straps, Pads, Fin
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The board itself it not new for 2000, although the shape has been changed and the name is new. Ricci named it Wave Cult because it has such a following in Europe. It’s been heralded as the first production board to win a pro event, as Josh Angulo took the ‘99 DaKine Pro-Am at Ho’okipa on a 250. Although we had only this 250 to test, the line also includes a 255, 260 and 265.
Designed primarily by Josh Angulo and Robby Seeger, the Wave Cult sails very differently than the MPE Wave, although the basic specs don’t indicate many differences. It features an exclusive construction element, a special polyester-Kevlar fabric woven in Italy, and it has a teensy
little dimple of a split in the small square tail, but the outline and bottom shape of the Wave Cult 250 and MPE 248 are almost the same. The 250’s rails are scarcely more rounded, and it’s only half a pound heavier, 14 vs. 13.5.
But it’s thicker, with 72 liters of volume vs. 63, so it’s preferred by bigger sailors who can’t make the slick little MPE’s work. The rails are also thicker, but still thin enough for good carving. It was designed to handle gusts, chop and conditions where it’s difficult to get going. It’s a wave board that’s well suited to the Gorge. Andy and Hedy Gurtner own and operate a rental shop in Hood River, called Swiss Swell, and the Wave Cult 255 is one of their most popular boards. On Maui, the 250 was one of the most popular boards in our test.
SCORE:
Upwind 3.47 Planing 3.84 Speed 3.84
Handling 4.05 Jibe 3.95 Overall 3.83
COMMENTS:
“Roberto! Roberto! Roberto! The 250 transforms this mere mortal into an invincible windsurfing god.” [Jardini]
“Well balanced, improved my jumps a lot. A super fun board in waves. Turns fast but easy to stay on top of.” [Sollner]
“Very easy to ride for a wave board. Planes easily, good speed and handling, but upwind ability is lacking. A larger fin might help that.” [Boring]
“The best board I’ve tried so far,” said a dealer who tried a lot of them. “Quick to plane, lively and snappy in waves, fast, very loose. Felt like a custom board. Good for high wind and waves, but still easy to ride.” [Taylor]
“Basic bump-and-jump 4.0-5.0 conditions today. Board spun out with the smallest amount of rear foot pressure. The fin seemed too small and too soft, which also hampered going hard upwind. In my view the board’s strongest feature is its excellent control in all conditions. Easy to get comfortable with.” [Cicale] A surprising comment about the spinout, as this sailor’s technique is impeccable.
“It hardly takes anything to get it going, and once powered up, it flies. Super fast. Jibed great.” [Quarles]
“Jumps great, but a little squirrelly. Feels light in construction. Don’t think it would work well in Gorge-type conditions,” said a dealer in the Gorge who doesn’t sell RRDs. He also said the board was “crisp” and “tracks great,” presenting a puzzle over how a board can be crisp, track great and be squirrelly all at the same time. [Coach]
STAFF:
Upwind 3.33, Planing 4.0, Speed 4.33
Handling 4.O, Jibe 4.33, Overall 4.0
COMMENTS:
“It’s hampered by a fin that’s too flexible for my size,” said Nevin Sayre.
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