These are a few shots of me during the first week or so sailing my OES TF 78. Below are my first impressions written over my first few days as a TF newbie adjusting to the twin fin:

re sailing the twin in op’ed conditions – it’s very easy to correct when you feel it start to spin out. In fact, before long, I was able to do it preemptively. The only time I found it difficult to correct was off the top a couple times when I ended up doing a slider across the lip and also when I spun out on a backside bottom turn and ended up sliding sideways facing into a pit – that was interesting!

First of all, it’s a looker – everyone wants to check it out on the beach. Kinda like leaving your hot girlfriend on the beach while you’re sailing. The construction is rock solid at a nice weight.

Man, that board likes to fit right in the pocket – and it bottom turns like a dream. I had some magical moments then got cocky and went for a late hit on a logo + section. I got worked pretty good with my back foot stuck in the strap. That was the end for Sunday. Conclusion – pretty different to ride, but I see the potential. Needed to play with fin position… the twins definitely didn’t like too much sail power. The board is very fast – no problem there, and lots of pop for looping and lip smacks.

Now that I’m more used to it, I’d say the board planes up fairly early, is very fast (sometimes too fast), bottom turns like a dream for going vertical… off the top is taking a little getting used to. I’ve had some magical cutbacks and a few nice off the lips, but at times I’ve found myself unusually ‘out of sorts’ when I get to the top. At first I was thinking that the board reacts different off the top, but actually I think I’m just getting to the top in slightly different form after the radical bottom turn… and I need to get that dialed.

The bottom line – with a little adjusting of your technique, this board WILL take your wavesailing to the next level.

JM