New Board Day: The Sunova Allround Faast Pro 14’

With a solid history in the world of SUP and an innate passion for innovation, Christian Taucher has long been a key figure in shaping the evolution of SUP equipment. As a competitor, coach, and brand ambassador for Sunova, Christian’s insights on board design and performance are highly valued by athletes around the globe. Lately, the new Allround Faast Pro 14’ and other key models from their line have been newly introduced to the market.

Hi Christian, nice to have you with us! What are the biggest changes in the shape of the new Sunova Allround Faast Pro 14’ compared to the previous model? And what was the main goal in developing this board?

It’s a flatdeck board with a slight recess. The tail is a little wider than the Allwater Faast Pro, making it more comfortable to turn in rough waters and easier to control in surf. The goal was to create a modern flatdeck board that helps professional athletes win competitions in surf races while also being an ideal choice for amateurs as a touring board, so the new board is best suited for beach races, technical races with beach starts, turns, and waves to surf.

Which riders will benefit most from this board – beginners or advanced paddlers?

Both! Beginners love the flatdeck, which makes it easy to climb back on after a dive and gives the rider a feeling of control while turning or surfing. Advanced riders appreciate the board’s speed in sprints, its ability to shed water after hard turns or when the wave pushes from behind, and the smooth buoy turns that provide an edge in competitions.

Which board from the Sunova range should you choose for which conditions?

• The Flatwater Faast Pro 14`: The best board for pure flatwater and sprint. It offers excellent first stability when you step on a rail.
• The Flatwater Faast Pro Elite 14`: Ideal for flatwater and choppy water. It’s easier to ride in sidewind and sidewake and better for turning than the Pro.
• The Allround Faast Pro 14`: Perfect for surfing, beach starts, ocean conditions, or if you prefer a flatdeck for touring on flatwater without dugouts and wet feet.
• The Allwater Faast Pro 14`: The best choice when you want to be the fastest in the ocean, going upwind or downwind, or if you’re drafting in flatwater with a group of paddlers, as it picks up and melts energy from every tiny wake for faster gliding.
• The Ocean Faast Pro 14`: Ideal for pure downwind or heavy ocean conditions.

All Sunova raceboards have less volume than boards from other brands, why was this approach chosen?

More board volume equals extra weight that paddlers have to carry around. Sunova boards have enough volume for all conditions and most athletes, depending on the size of the board. However, Sunova boards are more lightweight than other foam core boards and can even compete with hollow boards in terms of weight.

What board size do you recommend based on rider weight and skill level?

I am 192 cm tall, 80 kg, and have medium – advanced balance skills on a raceboard. Here are my preferred sizes for each model, which you can scale up or down based on your weight and skill level:

• Flatwater Faast Pro: 20”
• Flatwater Faast Pro Elite: 21”
• Allwater Faast Pro: 22”
• Allround Faast Pro: 23”
• Ocean Faast Pro: 24”

I chose these sizes based on the conditions I use the boards in and specific board shapes, each with its advantages and disadvantages compared to one another.

Are there any new technologies or materials used in this new series?

We constantly refine the production process, but there’s still a lot of handcrafting involved in every single board. We use wood instead of carbon, which gives the Sunova boards their unique feel. Wood makes the board flexible but not soft, offering ultimate control in choppy conditions without making the board feel nervous.

What makes the production of Sunova boards in Khao Lak (Thailand) unique?

It’s all about handcrafting! There’s no mold. Every board we create can be customized to your needs. We can also react quickly to market demands, new trends, or shape details if necessary. This flexibility was a big advantage when SUP was in its infancy and continues to be a benefit in the development of foil boards. The factory is located in Thailand, close to the best surf spots. The founders didn’t want to run a mass-production factory. Most of the people working at TBF surf, SUP, or foil, so they’re deeply connected to the products they build.

For more information about SUNOVA products, visit their website or Instagram page. You can also follow Christian Taucher on his Instagram page.

For more information about the new Allround Faast Pro 14`check out the latest video from SUNOVA x Christian Taucher.