Lightwind freeride set test - JP-Australia Super Sport 133 i NeilPryde V8 8.2 2023

Hello! A few days ago, I got my hands on another "lake" setup, but this time from an entirely different toy stable. I'm talking about the JP Australia Super Sport 133 board in the PRO version and the legendary Neilpryde V8 sail in size 8.2. First up is the board, which I can honestly say I have a love and hate relationship with. As it turned out, after the first tacks, it's not as easygoing as I had expected. Spoiled by the recent tests with the Rocket+, which we cooperated seamlessly with from the very first tack, I was convinced it would be the same in this case. I couldn't have been more wrong. Although when you look at the shape of the Super Sport, it doesn't appear to be a demanding board by any means, but once you start making your first maneuvers on it, your beliefs change drastically. I must admit, it took me a while to figure out how to work with my feet and operate the sail in the best way possible. Getting accustomed to a board is a very individual matter, and I can confidently say that I found common ground with the Super Sport after 2-3 hours on the water. The biggest challenge between us turned out to be the wind conditions. My first ride on this board happened in borderline and quite holey conditions with 10-14 knots of wind. Anyone who disagrees with me, please feel free to comment, but I must say that this board is not easy to handle in light wind conditions, and it doesn't forgive mistakes easily. It immediately senses when a rider pumps without conviction or moves sluggishly in semi-planing.

Nevertheless, enough complaining about the higher entry threshold that the Super Sport presents to us because the situation turns 180 degrees when we learn to cooperate with it! In more stable sliding conditions, the board showed me what it's truly capable of under my feet. The maximum speed in full power and even upwind sailing made a huge impression on me, and I really liked how the Super Sport goes upwind without hesitation. When the wind picked up to a solid 14 knots, circumnavigating the lake from end to end took me literally just a few minutes, and Lake Narie is not exactly small. This speaks volumes about its maneuverability and smooth turns. And here we finally come to the beloved part for windsurfers - sliding jibes. It turned out that I quickly became friends with the Super Sport in this case because both regular and lay-down jibes worked very smoothly. I liked the turning radius the board needs for gybing and the force required to sheet in the windward rail, all thanks to its V-shaped bottom. This provides great stability when entering turns. Focusing on the details of this board, I must mention how comfortable the anti-slip surface applied to it is for bare feet, as it gave me great confidence that I wouldn't suddenly slip when aggressively pumping the sail and pushing the board forward. Another interesting detail is the lower-mounted mast track, which allowed me to close the lower sail leech even more. For foiling enthusiasts, there's a foil-ready box, and for me, the biggest plus, delving into the finest details, is the footstrap adjustment scale. A small detail, but really handy!


 

Now, let's talk about the power plant of our setup, the Neilpryde V8 with an area of 8.2 m2. The legendary V8, which made a comeback 3 years ago after a several-year hiatus, has truly made its mark in the windsurfing world, and for a good reason. During the summer season, I often see V8s on the water from models dating back to 2007-2014, and that speaks for itself - everyone had this sail! Leaving sentimental considerations behind and looking at it with a critical eye, it's really a piece of high-quality sail. The manufacturer focused on low weight and a stable profile, which you can definitely feel on the water. Even in full planing and overpowered conditions at 17 knots, my hands and back didn't feel like they were towing a kitchen countertop. The V8, in its 7-batten construction, surprised me with its stability and how well it handled aggressive gusts that didn't faze it much. Its "belly" is nicely shaped and stabilized by 2 mini cambers that don't significantly affect the weight of the entire sail. At the jibes, the whole sail easily shifted, and on a straight run, its racing ambitions were easy to sense. Thankfully, rigging this sail is not a major challenge like with true racing machines. What impressed me was the position of the clew on the boom end and the entire mainsheet system. Thanks to the clew practically coming off the boom, the entire setup is more rigid.



As a side note in this review, I want to share my opinion on another Neilpryde product, the Proton harness. It has been with me for over a year now, and so far, it's the most comfortable harness I've had the pleasure of using. A mega stiff backshell, a robust hook, and a comfortable shape that sits well on the back are its three most important features. Although, you know, choosing a harness is a bit like Harry Potter's wand – everyone has their perfectly fitting one ;)

In summary, both as a complete package and individually, the JP Super Sport is a board for experienced players, like a partner with a rocky start but a happy ending. Once you get to know this board, you'll feel its freerace capabilities, and you'll start reaching higher speeds. Smoothly executed jibes are what come to mind when I hear the name Super Sport. The V8 will certainly not disappoint anyone; it's a design that competes with racing sails while maintaining lightweight and easy rigging. The setup complements each other perfectly, and the sail meets the expectations of 99% of freeride windsurfers. Once you feel the chemistry with the board, you won't want to part with it. ;)

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Text by Adam Łuczak