NeilPryde Windsurfing

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INSTANT HANDLING. INSTANT RESPONSE.

Designed to excel in classic “down the line” conditions, the ZONE is the most neutral feeling sail in the NeilPryde wave collection. Precision handling, smooth power release and a soft feel combine to allow the rider to draw a tight bottom turn and solid cutback off the lip. In these conditions visibility and wave awareness is key – so the ZONE has a large window allowing the rider to observe the critical section of the wave. This combination of features makes the ZONE the weapon of choice for NeilPrydes' 3Z’s - Jason Polakow, Levi Siver and Alex Mussolini.

 
Development

DESIGN OBJECTIVE

  • To design a sail for the "wave-riders of windsurfing".
  • The ZONE must disappear in the riders hands when on a wave, but still give enough drive to load the boards' rail through a bottom turn.
  • The sail must be as neutral as possible and light on the back hand when coming off the top of a wave.
  • The sail must be forgiving, and have a light “sailing weight”.

    For 2008:
  • Further enhance the ZONE’s neutral feeling when cutting back off the critical section of the wave.
  • Reduce the time required for the sail to transition from delivering ‘drive’ (required for bottom turns) to a ‘neutral’ feeling, ideal for coming off the top of the wave.

ACHIEVED BY:

  • The ZONE has the least, and most forward oriented shaping of any NeilPryde wave sail.
  • A moderate aspect ratio and a low, forward positioned, centre of effort ensures the sails’ power is located as close as possible to the rider.
  • A well rotated sail body that flattens out and de-powers instantly.
  • Light, but strong, construction (fitting between the zone & Combat).
  • Large mono-film window for optimum visibility.

    For 2008:
  • A reduction in luff curve and downhaul translates into less surface tension. This allows the sail to quickly change it’s ‘mode’ from giving ‘drive’ to being ‘neutral’.
  • By moving the shape forward and reducing luff curve the ‘08 ZONE spills excess backhand pressure more easily.
Test Results
Planchemag #302 – October 2007
NeilPryde Zone 5.0
Resultat, cette Zone supporte mieux que ses rivales les surventes et la navigation surtoilee. On peut continuer a attaquer quand la plupart des voiles tractent.

The Zone is way better that its rival’s in the strong gusts and overpowered conditions meaning you can still sail with the Zone in these conditions while the others return to the beach.
Wind # 316 – October 2007
Neil Pryde Zone 5.0
Une fois au planing, on apprecie sa nervosite et ses accelerations ainsi que la tenue du profil dans le vent fort. C’est ce qui lui permet de s’envoler dans de gros jumps en gardant le controle. En conclusion, la Zone 08 s’affirme encore comme la bete de surf de Neil Pryde.

As soon as you are planing you will like the stiffness and acceleration and the profile always stays in good shape in the high winds, this is how the sail can keep, and give you,  alot of contol in high jumps. In conclusion the Zone 08 is still the best of the NeilPryde wave sails for surfing.
Rider Quotes

"The softness of the ZONE makes it easy to pump onto the plane, to get through the wind holes and to execute aerial and wave manoeuvres. The other big change for 2008 is the draught. We’ve sucked the draught forward to the leading edge and this results in a sail that has a very neutral feel when you’re doing radical manoeuvres on the waves or in the air. It has almost no back hand pressure so you can really execute those manoeuvres quickly and that’s a really positive development for the ZONE."

Jason Polakow / KA1111



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