Goya Nexus 5.9m and Carrera 130L review

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Tez Plavenieks

During a recent trip to Lanazarote I got the opportunity to check out some top drawer Goya freeride windsurfing kit. As the NEly Trade Wind began to fill in a window of opportunity was gifted to me for trying out Goya’s 5.9m Nexus and Carrera 130L combo – here’s how they stacked up.


On the beach
Goya windsurf sails have a very distinct look and the Nexus is no different. With its high aspect cut and six batten configuration the 5.9mn looked ready for action and raring to go. Its perfect partner (for this particular session) a 2015 Goya Carrera 130L freeride sled was also itching to get wet and you could feel the need for speed crackling like electricity in the air.


Both sail and board are well built and super light offering the best balance of performance and robust versatility. Although on the day in question there was minimal (infamous) Costa Teguise shorebreak, we’re no doubt both bits of kit will stand up to a fair bit of abuse – although care should still be taken.

Rigging and tuning the Nexus 5.9m is a doddle and we found the sail set with middle of the road downhaul and outhaul. The Carrera 130L offered a variety of footstrap options meaning everyone from casual blasters to hungry speed demons will be satisfied.

On the water
Costa Teguise’s predominant wind direction is slightly side offshore and therefore very gusty in the bay. Add to the mix an annoyingly placed hotel complexand a couple of breakwaters, further faffing up the breeze, and a bit of extra float is always going to be welcome.

Getting out to the upwind reef, and main Costa Teguise sailing spot, was super easy with the Carrera 130L’s flat deck providing a stable and composed platform that progressing intermediates will find most welcome. The Nexus 5.9m’s reaction to buffeting gusts was also easy going and in the ‘on/off’ bay wind it remained stable in the hands without reacting unexpectedly.

Once at the wind line the true nature of this setup emerged. As soon as clean air filled the sail the acceleration of the Nexus 5.9m was instantaneous. Driving power down in to the 42cm fin and propelling the Carrera 130L up onto the plane in a flash I was off and redlining quick smart.Tez Plavenieks Goy Windsurfing kit testing Costa Teguise

At full chat it’s easy to locate outboard footstraps and in the blink of an eye the rider is skimming along at a fair rate of knots. Although the breeze was still filling in the Goya setup slid through lulls efficiently and accelerated as a new puff of wind hit.

The water state across the reef is quite choppy with Atlantic rolling swell pulsing along the fringes of the island. Potentially confused water states need composed windsurfing kit to make the rider comfortable and the Nexus 5.9m and Carrera 130L stayed flat and locked in at all times. Hurtling over chop and waves board and sail sailed straight and true, never once tail walking or feeling skittish.

As the first corner approached I was apprehensive about the wide (70.2”) Carrera and how it would cope with such a choppy sea – especially on the outside. I needn’t have feared though as once a rail is engaged the Goya cuts through the flotsam like a knife through butter. All the time the Nexus 5.9m drives the nose of the board flat and pushes it round the bend.


To replicate a more intermediate gybe I backed off the throttle a few times but the Goya’s sail and board combo still had me railing round the corner with ease.

Flying back towards shore in Costa Teguise delivers the opportunity of heading down slopey swells – thereby increasing your speed further. Although this set up isn’t full on slalom kit it still keeps on accelerating and experienced sailors will enjoy testing where the boundaries are.

Locking down the Nexus and Carrera is really achievable for most levels of rider, even when smashing through chop – before you know it you’ll be preparing for your next turn.

Conclusion
The Goya Nexus 5.9m and Carrera 130L is an extremely efficient freeride combo that delivers an exciting experience for a whole host of rider skill levels. Mid-intermediates will find it a great tutor for consolidating footsrap technique while advanced windsurfers will love unlocking the kit’s freerace potential. The only slight niggle was the high aspect nature of the Nexus sail which made it feel a tad bigger than 5.9m. That said it really is only a minor point and the pure joy of riding this gear far out ways anything else.

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