Boom Technology
iFRONT – the fastest and most comfortable NORTHSAILS boom front piece with unique trimming and tuning opportunities.
We have known for long that the boom construction, and in particular the head, has a decisive impact on rig performance. We carried out extensive comparison tests on flatwater, on Gran Canaria and Maui, eventually proving that rigs are extremely fast when they remain steady in the rider’s hand, allowing for controlled rig steering. Albeit the two spots are so different, so are the conditions that present individual challenges for the ideal boom. While wind and water conditions on flatwater are mostly calm, calling for larger sails, exactly the opposite prevails on Gran Canaria. Actually, in order to achieve optimum propulsion at both spots and tireless windsurfing especially on Gran Canaria, one would need two heads of different stiffness or attenuation. A very rigid, direct front piece for flatwater, and an attenuated, more flexible head for harsher conditions. This is an effort that only professional regatta pilots will not shun, but which otherwise makes windsurfing excessively complicated. Yet who would willingly forsake the extra performance and the additional comfort? This is exactly what we focused on.
- Low wind = calm waters = large sail, long boom = less rig movement
ideal solution: inflexible, rigid head - High wind = choppy waters = small sail, short boom = nervous rig = jumps
ideal solution: easily flexing head
“We’ve used the new iFront in all our centers now without any problems. After 12 months of heavy daily usage we can confidently say that the new iFront is the most reliable head we’ve ever had in our centers.”
Yola Bichler, Managing Director Club Mistral
“At the beginning I thought I‘ most probably use the new iFront in the familiar feeling, no-suspension „Lockout Position“ most of the time - like everyone else I believed in the Neil Pryde “ the stiffer the faster” theory... After 12 months of tough usage in all kinds of windsurf spots I can surely say that I prefer the „full suspension setup“, in 80% percent of the conditions. The „suspension modus“ simply provides more control – just like on a mountain bike, that enables me to increase my top speed no end.”
Jimmy Diaz, International Team rider NORTHSAILS
“As a World Cup racer I’m in permanent search for the best equipment to give me the edge in competition. I’ve tested all the frontends on the market and I can say that in the „Lockout Position“ the iFront is definitely the stiffest one available.”
Patrik Diethelm, International Team rider NORTHSAILS
