RRD Wave Swallow 78 2005, 233cm x 55cm ... £315 ono
this board was clearly ahead of it's time in the fin stakes. get some multi fin sailing for a bargain price ...!
board is in good condition for its age. has some bumps and scratches from the beach, a couple of which i've dabbed arraldite on just to be safe, but no proper dings and no repairs.
at 75kg i've used it as a one board wave quiver and its has happily taken everything from 3.7 upto 5.5, with 4.2/4.7 the sweet spot. the extra volume doesn't go amiss in the usual gusty wind you get when its sub 4.0, but it doesn't feel too big then either.
it comes with unused daKine/RRD straps, MFC 20.5cm fin and 2x kite fin thrusters.
i'd say the Boards test below is pretty spot on ... it really turns very tightly and when you get it right on a big wave the top turn is amazing!
i'm in North London but can courier or maybe meet up on the south coast if it's windy.
can email more/larger pics if wanted.
Boardseeker MiniTest
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www.boardseekermag.com]
BOARDS test
Test Report Style and Size
Very much a new generation shape (wide and short) but with a relatively narrow tail and an unusual fin set up with a thruster on each rail either side of the main fin.
Strengths
Its main strength is the ability to perform sharp, tight turns in very small spaces giving it an almost unparalleled ability to work away at small awkward shaped (generally onshore) waves in finding lips to bash and jump off. Its great fun even in mushy small surf which would be uninspiring on many other waveboards. It possesses average speed and grip for sailing around the break, not as good as a conventional board, but better than many of the new-style boards and the three fin set up gives it good upwind performance when sailed tipped over on the rails, wakeboard style. It is also a good performer in the air, feeling compact and agile. The board rides flat and with good side-to-side stability, making it an easy board to sail, and it remains controlable in tougher conditions. the straps and pads are extremely comfortable, particularly with bare feet.
Weaknesses
It is not the best at either holding a rail in longer, faster, drawn out turns or in breaking out through the white water in larger surf - RRD DISPUTE THIS - ITS WHAT THE BOARD DOES BEST, ACCORDING TO RRD!!!, and the wide low nose has a tendency to catch the lip of a wave in take off for jumps. DELETE The narrower tail and three fin set up doesnt feel ideal for sliding freestyle. It also doesnt quite ride waves with the same degree of looseness and float over the white water sections that some of the other new generation boards deliver.
Thrusters
The well designed thrusters fit securely, and add an extra option to the boards performance, giving it a real (thruster) surfboard feel which accounts for its agility in small waves. (the fins giving extra bite and grip). The RRD recommended setup in bigger surf is to do without the thrusters, as they do tend to slow the board down slightly.)
A good general purpose waveboard with unusually tight and satisfying turning in small to medium surf. The slightly experimental three fin design and unusual volume distribution result in a board with strong qualities and a unique character. Its more versatile than most new generation shapes, and was popular with the team. Best suited as a medium and high wind waveboard for average weight sailors (for use with 4.0-5.3)
