Shape
- Rocker: moderate to handle the steep sections just right while generating some serious speed.
- Rails: thin and hard for a true hardcore surf feeling.
- Volume: very low, no compromises.
- Outline: thin at the tail and at the center, with a medium wide-point and a tapered nose. Narrow board with inherent maximum speed.
- Deck: flat for more stability.
- Bottom: single concave to double concave to slight V double concave.
- Tail: round tail for more freedom in the curves.
- Nose: pointed nose for 100% radical surfing.
L’Ours has totally revamped the shape of the Alley to push its performances even further. The 2022 version has more rocker, more kick tail and thinner rails for even more radically. It is also slightly larger and the fins placement has been adjusted so as not to compromise the ease of ride.
Its round tail gives it more freedom in curves to max out fluidity and get vertical in hollow sections. That allow you to radicalize your turns while still rolling the curves. The board is less centered and much more maneuverable. Which is not negligible in competition, and also in free-surfing! To describe it as best as possible, we can also say that this board is our most efficient when it comes to backside surfing, which might very well be the most technical aspect on a SUP.
The pointed nose is also less obtrusive in tight curves on a steep slope. The lesser surface allows for a lighter front third : Radicality is boosted and the liveliness of the board is insane.
The board keeps its 100% radical outline, with good underfoot width when paddling and insanely small OFO.
The flow has also been totally reworked with a width at the leash plug that has almost been cut in half !!! The volume has been gently pushed at the front and center of the board. It simply looks amazing, and oh so sharp !
The deck is even more domed than before to get thinner rails all along the board. There is volume at the center while still keeping a very thin waist, giving it elegance and performance.
The hull has been refined, year after year, on these shapes by L’Ours :
- A very light concave at the nose (slightly convex) that starts early and focuses the flow for stability and grip.
- A simple deep concave at the center to steady the board when paddling and channeling the flow towards the fins to maximize lift and drive with a very good front foot grip.
- A double concave at the fins which will stick to water and tunnel the flow to the outer fins, aiming for maximum speed!
- A slight V with a double concave at the tail to release the flow of water while giving the board a loose rail to rail.
This reworked and active hull gives it 50% more performance compared to a flat hull. It might not seem essential but it is crucial to get the best out of the rest of the shape. In a nutshell, the outline spreads the load on water and the hull dictates the directional flow of water.
The rails work in concert with the outline and the hull to offer optimal water penetration, nothing is left to chance :
- The rail at the nose is recessed to avoid mistakes. It does not hang on to water and allows for total directional freedom on steeper slopes, while softening contact when paddling.
- At the center, the rail has a more cutting edge to guide the board and give better balance when paddling.
- The rail stays recessed but with a sharper edge right in front of the fins. As soon as you are past the find, it becomes harsher and more square, which gives extra precision in curves by defining lift angles, which amount to the angles of inclination in the water. That will allow the board to naturally find the optimum inclination when responding to your input : not too deep or too shallow, just right for maximum grip, control and responsiveness. We really pivot around the tail by letting the rail bite into the water until water reaches its release point at the fin, and just behind it we grip !
- The vertical rail at the tail allows for easy take off for even more speed.
The rocker gains some shapeliness for more confort on the way down, but also so that the board naturally fits into the curve, without using stalls to cheat. It really surfs on the rail.
Alex van der Meer (verified owner) –
I picked up my board (8.6 / 140 liters) last monday and took it for a ride in good quality French waves for 2 days.
Stability when paddling out is perfect, I could maybe do with 1 size smaller, but was hesitant so bought the bigger one. It was quite clean waters without wind.
The most important is the take off and wave rides and the Alley 8.6 is very controllable on the wave for me. Steering is very nice.
I am 100% confident with the strong FSP PRO construction.
Reason I don’t give the all star rating is the higher weight. I understand it is due to the additional paint. It looks absolutely stunning 🙂
Personally, I would not mind to have my board with only light white paint finish to keep the temperature and weight down.
Alexandre –
J’adore les nouvelles couleurs ! Magnifique cette nouvelle gamme PRO ! BRAVO !
Coolas –
Reçue mon Alley Pro 8’1″ 120L.
Superbe finition et déco, vraiment classe.
Je vais attendre que il cesse de pleuvoir pour faire quelques photos, mais la comparaison avec ma 2019 est assez frappante: si l’outline est assez proche, le travail sur la répartition des volumes est bluffant, les rails sont moins volumineux de partout, on se demande où l’Ours a été cacher le volume 🙂