Finally the time has come and I can test my 2 favorite boards. The wind is good and I go on the water with my Core Fusion 2 and Lieuwe Shotgun.
With a 12 meter XR5 in the air as a draft horse, I have to be able to have some fun. The forecast is 17-20 knots, then I am slightly overpowered at the end, but can be done. My Fusion 2 is 137/41 and I mainly use it for light wind sessions. I have been riding this for more than a year now and am super satisfied with the characteristics of it. Only when the wind picks up is this board really too big for me. That is why I bought a Lieuwe Shotgun 130/39 at the start of this year for when the wind is going really well. Also a great board, but not really able to ride this year, until today!
Core Fusion 2
The Core Fusion 2 is a kiteboard from 2015 and its successor has been in the shops for a long time, but I still chose this board for its excellent riding characteristics. With a double concave, V shape keelt and hydro dymatic contour, the board has a lot of grip and provides excellent upwind capacity. The board is made of carbon and wood. It is a real all-rounder for the intermediate / advanced kiter. He has a good pop, but on the flat water it is also a super fast board. I ride my top speeds with this.
The Union pro pads are screwed onto the board. They are nice and comfortable, with different settings, but my favorite bindings remain the APEX bindings from Naish.
Lieuwe Shotgun 2018
At the beginning of this year I bought the Lieuwe Shotgun in the standard colors. For an additional price you can set up a nice print, but that did not allow my budget 😉 The Shotgun has a 3D shape and deeper channels for grip and playfulness. The board is made of wood, but super light. The pads look good and the edge to clamp with your toes is in the right place for my feet.
Core fusion 2 vs. Shotgun 2018
Okay there we go. I start with the Fusion 2 because the wind is still moderate and I know that with the Fusion I can sail quite quickly in combination with my 12 meter XR5. From 12 knots I can get on the water with this combi. I don’t have to buy a Flysurfer or light wind for that.
I start with some hits to go upwind which works fine, despite the little wind. In any case, the upwind feature of this board is really super. When I am out of the crowd and in the choppy water, I notice that the wind also picks up a bit. Due to its rocker, the Fusion 2 can easily cope with the short waves and it is time to attack for a first jump. The board cuts well in the water, virtually no spray and the board is flexible enough to absorb the short blows on the waves. I was warned that the board would be stiff, but don’t experience it that way. What is also delicious with this board is nice carving along the waves, although I only have short waves here, you can have a great time. The board keeps grip, but also turns quickly. The pop of this board is a great springboard for your jumps and what I said above, there is enough flex for the soft landings.
Making some speed, because this board is good at that. I race over the water, now some spray in my face, but what does it matter, the speed I get with this board and still feel the grip on the water is a sublime feature that I have only had with a Core Fusion so far to xperience. Meanwhile the wind has started to blow harder and I can do 2 things: choose a smaller kite or a smaller board.
The real test
I ride to the shore to pick up the Shotgun. What is immediately noticeable is the light weight. The Fusion is light, but this is a fether compared to my other board. I Quickly hit the water, lean over and pop, the board works like a slingshot and shoots up. Well that is a good start. Also with this bloard agood grip on the water, it feels very playful and light. It is cearly noticeble, the Shotgun wants to get out of the water. I immediately go upwind this board, it also sails well through the chop, which can be expected with the rocker of this board.
Te board cuts through the waves nicely, immediately feels very familiar, no hard hits and wants to go up. It is striking that the somewhat simple pads fit my narrow feet very well.
Okay carving and jump, because that’s what you want with this plank. Edging is really great, no spray on my face. I put the pads back a bit for a little more pressure on the heelside and that works perfectly.
You then let the board shoot you out of the water so the kite can take over the work. The flex of the board is fine because the landings are fairly soft and do not bother my knees. For jumping this board is ‘far out’ as Aussies would say.
The speed is also good, a bit slower than my Core board, but hey it is also 7 cm shorter and 2 cm narrower. Yes, I am going to have a lot of fun above 20 knots!
Conclusion
I dare say that I am the lucky owner of 2 topboards. In terms of riding characteristics, the difference in grip, pop and speed is clearly perceptible. That makes sense because both boards have their own shape, but the boards are not inferior in terms of overall riding characteristics. As far as I’m concerned, they complement each other well. If you want to ride super fast, but still have the ultimate grip, you can take the Fusion 2. With which you can also enjoy jumping. If you only want to make meters in the air, then grab the Shotgun, because in that respect the board lives up to its name!
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