FEEDBACK: CRUZADER 7’0 XL

New feedback from Renaud, after a first SUP foil experience with his Cruzader 7’0 XL, who was able to test its comfort before touching the magical performance of this board associated with a Sirus/mast HM 72 set-up.

Quiver:

As the Sirius 156 and the HM 72 mast haven’t arrived yet, I set up the Curve XLT with a 75 aluminum mast, positioned around mark 4 on the box. No footstrap. The Cruzader is beautiful and light. It’s clear that without the foil to stabilize it, it would be impossible to stand on it!

Rider:

70kg, 1.81m. I’ve had quite a bit of experience with longboard SUP on large boards (my smallest was the 9’6 Never Stick), but I’ve been 100% into surfing (and wing foiling now) for the past 4 years. So, I’ve “lost” the specific muscles used for standing paddling.

Conditions:

Very light onshore wind, some swell, quite a bit of chop, not ideal at all.

Transport:

I used the trolley I made for my eFoil, and it works really well, see photos.

Sesh’s target:

Stand up, paddle reasonably straight, wake up the balance and paddling muscles, discover foot placement and longitudinal balance.

Result:

Well, let’s be honest, it’s tough to maintain balance in the chop and small swell. I’m glad I chose the XL version to have more width, and the volume suits me well; I don’t feel too high on the water. With the Curve XLT, which has a “mere” 102 cm wingspan, I’m missing the 27 cm of the Sirius 156 on each side to increase stability. After a few falls, I found my rhythm and started paddling straight.

I have the disadvantage of being regular and left-handed, so I paddle with my non-dominant arm, but I’m used to it. In longSUP, I could paddle switch-feet to use my left arm. I tried it with the Cruzader, but for now, it’s completely impossible to switch on it. I managed to paddle a little on the left in regular stance, but maintaining balance is much harder. So, to balance my effort a bit, I paddled on my knees on the board, going upwind and upwave on the left side, which works fine, and then standing up and paddling on the right side to go downwind.

I didn’t try surfing; anyway, I forgot my leash, so it wasn’t possible, and the waves weren’t suitable.

The same goes for pumping with the paddle. Given the conditions and the unsuitable foil, it was unthinkable for a first outing.

The front foot is currently placed very forward; it often bites into the footstrap inserts. This can probably be corrected by moving the foil forward.

The rear foot is currently placed far to the right, also not possible to put it in the footstrap at the moment.

I intentionally limited the outing to 45 minutes because I know it will wake up muscles that haven’t been used in a long time, and I want to be able to walk tomorrow!

Global feeling is very positive:

there’s work to be done, but I didn’t fail like I did in my first dock start session. I feel that the board is suited to my size; now I need to improve my physical condition and skills, with the right foil. It’s going to be really cool in the coming months.”