This test appeared in Kiteworld Magazine issue #81
TEST TEAM NOTES
We took a revisit to a cult classic twin-tip. The early Poisons were without doubt the fastest boards on the market. Very direct, they weren’t always easy though. In flat waters they were beautiful, in heavy chop they were impractical. This year the Poison feels much more complete. It’s still quick, but there’s a deeper rockerline – not by much, but enough to make a big difference and now the board locks in and tracks hard upwind in more difficult conditions. On this test we were so used to riding softer freeride focused boards that the Poison felt abrupt, but Bully especially enjoyed it – he loves that solid feel.
What’s improved is the board’s ability to better handle chop – its maintenance of speed in tricky conditions and therefore it’s ability to boost. You can approach a section of flat water in-front of a ramp and really put the hammer down and get a steep increase in speed as you approach it.
This new Poison has retained enough of its old characteristics in terms of speed, but has an added dose of usability. Compared to the Bliss which we tested last issue, it’s heavier and feels more solid. There’s less shape in the bottom too so it channels the water less but carries more speed. The Bliss is a bit slower but more comfortable; the Poison is all out speed – less absorbing and a more seat-of-your-pants ride. Get it in flat water and it really sparks to life and lets you convert all that speed into edging performance – you can huck huge.
The freestyle outline is more traditional than the fuller wakestyle shapes of today, but it’s quicker and offers a mix of hardcore freestyle on flat water, and better management than Poison’s of old on the chop. If you’ve always enjoyed the Poison, this one applies to more conditions.
The pads and straps are really good. Super easy to set up with lots of angle adjustments, there’s no pinching the outside of your foot while the footpad has a good moulded grip for your heel. We didn’t notice any loosening off after a few hours on the water, which is always a good sign.
SUMMARY
New, slick looks and a more forgiving side to what was a very raw performance board. Other more new school boards have replaced the Poison at the top of RRD’s freestyle line-up and will handle unhooked freestyle in difficult conditions better. However, the Poison retains its previous high speed character mixed with more rocker to better handle thrashing around the ocean.
KW LIKED
While top level freestyle riding has moved on, the Poison has stayed true to its speed roots and offers the all-round speedster a fully charged ride.
KW WOULD CHANGE
Lots of flat water freestyle performance, it could do with a bit more bottom shape to handle new school freestyle in chop and increased comfort, but we like that it’s remained true to its roots and will really please the specific rider that it appeals to.
POISON BALANCE POINTS
Build quality: 8.5
Fixtures and fittings: 9
Speed: 9
Pop: 8.5
Drive: 7
Flex: 4
Comfort: 5
Looseness: 5
Grip: 8
Upwind: 9
Slider proof: No
Boots applicable: Yes
Freeriding: 5.5
Freestyle: 8
Ease-of-use: 7
SIZES: 140 x 43, 138 x 42, 137 x 41, 136 x 40 and 135 x 39cm
HERE’S THE OFFICIAL POISON V3 PRODUCT VIDEO FROM RRD
RRD Poison V3 from RRD International on Vimeo.
More information at www.robertoriccidesigns.com
