Versatile, and performing well in all areas, the Alien encompasses the essence WindFoiling. The Alien is capable of handling a huge range of rigs and a spectrum of foils, while it remains familiar and balanced while keeping the rider in control, which allows you to decide on your foiling future.
The Alien certainly looks like it was crafted and produced by a space agency. Its grey and silver deck with white and red detailing makes it looks like it is ready for flight. As one of the narrower boards on test, it’s the only board that looks slightly similar to a large freeride board, which will make it easier for the rider to jump on and not need to adapt or learn how to handle it. Its volume is distributed in a friendly manner through its parallel outline, with more volume being placed under the straps, while keeping enough volume running towards the nose thanks to a gentle nose kick, which also assists with any unwanted touchdowns. Its deck pads cover a greater area to suit the available footstrap options, allowing the Alien to be adjusted to suit the foil it’s being paired with or your style of riding. Rolling over and inspecting the hull, you immediately notice two large cutouts in the tail to reduce surface area, increase release and assist with changing the angle of attack. Its hull shape starts upfront with a single concave which morphs into a flat section and then again into a single concave at the tail. The front half of the Alien is all about managing those touchdowns, while from the mast track back it’s all about takeoff with sharp rails and a flatter rocker, which are the two main areas you want the board to work for you when foiling. The Alien is available in two constructions, Custom Precision and Moulded, of which only the 145L and 120L are available. The Alien looks sleek and carries some smart thought processes that should promote an adaptable, well-balanced, and usable ride.
“Purely designed as a windsurf foil board, the Alien enables all the variables to work in harmony and move beyond simply balancing on a foil to windsurfing on a foil. A functional foil board with refined details that makes foiling both accessible and desirable.”
Instantly, the Alien feels stable and comfortable. Its handling, outline, and slightly further back mast track position provides more room upfront, sailing off the foil, it doesn’t feel too dissimilar to a freeride board, breeding a familiar confidence in the rider. Generating speed easily, the Alien accelerates comfortably as you work back into the easy-to-find straps, with its volume in the tail supporting you. Rising up onto the foil in a controlled manner, the Alien allows you to remain in control. Meanwhile, the Alien possesses adequate width, while a broad range of footstrap positions enable it to be used with quite a broad range of sail sizes and also foils. The Alien is not going to put you at the front of the pack on a race course, but it will certainly allow you to manage rigs of some size. Responding well to the rider, the Alien never feels too playful or out of control, while it feels incredibly comfortable, balanced, and settled through the gybes, but the Alien truly thrives with drawn out gybes. As one of the narrowest boards in the category, it makes the step across and foot change akin to that of a freeride board, not having to overstretch or overreach to gain control or wobble through your gybes. Touchdowns are dealt with swiftly, with the tail cutouts releasing the water, while the length and rocker in the nose prevent the nose from catching or blinding you with spray; it simply guides you back up into flight. The Alien encourages a well-balanced and well-controlled ride on all points of sail.
SEVERNE ALIEN 145 TEST REVIEW 2024
Price: £1849
Volume (Quoted): 145L
Length: 210cm
Width: 80cm
Bottom Shape: Single Concave into Flat into Single Concave in the tail.
Weight (Naked): 8kg
Sail Range (Quoted): 4.8-8.0m
Sizes Available: 105, 115, 120, 125, 145, 155
Starboard Foil Freeride 85 Wood 160L
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