Starboard's fastest growing board range: the Flare. As a result of the intensive R&D program initiated two years ago, the 2009 Flares quickly became the new kings of freestyle and have won every magazine freestyle test the last season.

For 2010 come three all-new shapes developed by Starboard's full freestyle team: Sven Akerboom, Nicolas Akgazciyan, Taty Frans, Kiri Thode and PWA Champion Sarah-Quita Offringa.

New rockerlines

The Flare 88, 98 and 106 have a new rockerline that are evolutions over the DFC rockers (Dual Flat Concept). Derived from the Kodes, these new rockerlines have 3mm more kick and a smoother flat to flat transition, giving more pop with a more lively ride and a quicker response to the riders input.

Any other shape changes?

The Flare 98 also has its nose vee reduced to improve on rotational slides and a finbox positioned further back.
The Flare 88 gains some extra tail volume with heel gutters that are shallower: more float with more forgiveness to finish off moves and more tolerance to different feet sizes. The nose has been thinned down to minimize the board's moment of inertia and increase the board's responsiveness. With the thinner nose, the board's centre of gravity shifts back, closer to the rider's feet, for a more natural balance. The fin box is also positioned further back.

Other features

Starboard's trademark freestyle feature remains the heel gutters. They provide an exaggerated deck dome for more comfort and more grip. The tail shapes of all Flares pack some extra volume for more float and tolerance during reverse and sliding transitions. The back footstraps use four screws instead of the conventional two screws for extra strength and a mechanically twist-free function.

WoodCarbon

One of the key ingredients to the Flare's success has undoubtedly been the unique WoodCarbon technology. It is the first board construction in the World to utilize an ultralight, pure unidirectional carbon fibre that is flat-weaved for total mechanical efficiency. The unidirectional flat-weave fibre generates equal tensile strength as biaxial or woven carbon fibre, yet at half the specific weight. A layer of 0.6mm Australian pine wood runs along the spine of the board to provide rigidity, additional structural integrity and to increase strength in the most critical areas of the board.

Why does Starboard supply the Crossover fins with the Flares?

Freestyle, like wave sailing and slalom racing, is very sensitive to fin selection. Advanced riders and professional riders know exactly the fin they like, and they will be very specific about the style and size they want. They often also have their own quiver of fins. The stock fins supplied with the boards were therefore selected for the average rider in mind: planing performance, speed, grip and maneuverability become the key parameters.