Ozone Code twin tip

Ozone Code V2 138 Test Review

OZONE CODE V2

 

Easy handling, drive, pop, good speed and forgiveness!

THIS TEST FIRST APPEARED IN KITEWORLD #103 IN JANUARY 2020

 

TESTED BY: CHRIS BULL AND JIM GAUNT. FIND THEIR DETAILS AND TEST SCORE BREAKDOWNS HERE.

 

TEST TEAM NOTES:

Ozone’s first board releases – the V1s of last year – have been incredibly well received, both by us and shops / schools around the world. They’re superbly well produced and bonded and after a year of very heavy use, the Torque V1 that we’ve had in our quiver has suffered long term and heavy abuse and still shows no sign of top / bottom sheet peeling. They’re averagely weighted, not super light, but certainly not heavy and stand up to day-to-day kitesurfing challenges very well, wherever you ride. So, we know they’re good in that respect and off the back of how highly we regard the Torque, we were excited to get a go on the Code V2, which is more of a freeride / freestyle crossover.

 

The Feel:

For a freeride board, it’s reasonably quick, and feels so too because it has a relatively on-top-of-the-water natural riding position. This isn’t a board that automatically buries its rail and then sits there knifing along. The Code tries to lift a bit more and, as a result, feels less sucky. That riding position promotes a great low end performance and is very smooth to get going. It’s also very easy to make 180 degree directional changes because the rail’s not overly locked in, so pushing your heels through to go toeside is very easy. The outline ensures that the tip and tail sit out of the water, so there’s no spray in your face, but also there’s little technique required for those pops and direction changes when you want to release your rail. The Code is very nicely balanced and you don’t need to move your weight very aggressively from one foot to the other for your manoeuvres.

There are advantages and disadvantages with this sort of feel. Beginners and intermediates always struggle to release their fins, so at a basic level this really helps people learn their early manoeuvres. The good get up and go also means that there’s less kite work needed to get planing. On the flip side the rail grip is less bitey, so if you’re over physical with the board or over powered and haven’t learnt to enforce rail grip with your heels, then it might feel a bit loose or soft. The answer to that is to buy perhaps a size smaller or change your kite size down before you get overpowered, because in all other aspects this board isn’t technical and can handle bumpy waters without being rough on your knees.

The Characteristics:

There’s no doubt that you can get used to the Code’s requirements of using a bit more precision in your back foot pressure in strong winds, however, in regular winds when you’re not really overpowered, the Code is a joy for all. The rocker delivers a flat section between your feet to promote early planing and good speed, while the two stage rocker in the tips helps to control the board in difficult chop. The Code V2’s generous tip rocker isn’t so aggressive that it slows the board down, but is an asset when learning freestyle tricks. You can land blind and come in a bit off-centre and that on-the-surface, soft rail forgiveness that we mentioned earlier will help you ride out of tricks more successfully. All that combined with the fact that the board sits up in the water does make it easy for going out over white water and for landing jumps.

If you’re looking at this or the Torque, the Code is easy, comfortable and fun, while the Torque is much more grippy and drivey. Although it’s a bit heavier, the Torque is our weapon of choice for the experienced twin-tipper looking for high performance and strong wind control.

Ozone footpads and straps aren’t ground breaking, but they’re comfortable and soft through the intricately contoured pad and generic two Velcro adjustments in the strap. You can be locked in or loose, as you like, without too much fiddling about.

 

SUMMARY:

A perched up freeride / freestyle twin-tip for spritely, forgiving performance. Fast and comfortable, yet loose and encouraging to try tricks. No doubt it’s very well made, strong and yet retains mid-weight advantage.

KW LIKED:
In its low to mid-range the Code V2 delivers everything – easy handling, drive, pop, good speed and forgiveness.

KW WOULD CHANGE:
Some freeride boards are designed to edge more aggressively, but they’re not as spritely or as adept at other things.

CODE V2 BALANCE POINTS:
Build quality: 8.5
Fixtures and fittings: 8
Speed: 7
Pop: 6.5
Drive: 6.5
Flex: 7
Comfort: 7.5
Looseness: 7
Grip: 6.5
Upwind: 7
Slider proof: NA
Boots applicable: Rockerline would suit
Freeriding: 8
Freestyle: 6.5
Ease of use: 7.5

SIZES:
144 x 43, 141 x 42, 138 x 41, 135 x 40, 132 x 39 and 129 x 38cm

 

 

Find Out More: www.ozonekites.com

 

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