Our new, simplified Rio range. We’ve consolidated the Rio and Rio Long Tail into one range with three sizes: S, M and L.All three models have the Long Tail design that offers more glide and allows the rider to get planing smoothly, without having to learn how.The Long Tail design has many benefits: they increase the length of the board for more longitudinal traction and more glide. They increase the rolling stability to make it easier to learn on. And best of all, they remove the technical difficulty of learning to plane.With added area behind the fin box, the 2017 Rios not only plane earlier, they also won’t tilt up as they transition on to the plane: there’s no longer the need to learn the tricky technique of overcoming this hump. This is unique to the Rio Long Tail.The extra wide section of the tail is relatively thin, forming what we call Bat Wings, first used in the Phantoms.At low speeds, the wings are below the surface and the water flows along a streamline path. At higher speeds, the tail rises and as the wings break the water surface, a wide and efficient planing surface is created.The width also helps improve glide and directional traction by allowing the designers to draw more parallel lines. It also creates more planing power.Fitted with Starboard’s Clipperbox system with easily replaceable and ultra durable lips and a new daggerboard with integrated handle for carrying the board under-arm. The daggerboard itself is extra soft in the tip for more performance and lift.The wide nose of the Rios combined with their boxy rails improves stability and allows to have a flat deck area around the mast track for easier uphauling and light wind sailing.Also feature an integrated nose carry and tail carry handle to allow the board to be carried by two people instead of one.The large soft EVA grip on the deck makes it comfortable and safe. You get the grip without the cuts or rashes. There is no EVA in the nose where the boom tends to drag across.The Rios feature multiple footstraps inserts positions to allow for every level of sailing, from beginner, to intermediate and advanced.They’re also fitted with the next generation of matching Drake Slick straps that are narrower than the Drake Wave straps and feature size indicator tabs for easy size adjustments.The Rios are supplied with a Drake Shallow 41 fin. This compact fin delivers as much power and directional traction as possible in the shortest fin. The ideal fin for learning.As mentioned above, the Starboard Clipperbox system features ultra durable rubber lips that can be replaced easily without tools.The deck of the board is specifically contoured for inboard straps, making the Rios the most comfortable and natural board to learn planing on.Thanks to the contoured deck shape, as the rider progresses and moves back on the board, windsurfing faster and with more and more power in the sail, the feet line up naturally with the inboard footstrap positions.The Long Tail design allows the rider to get planing incredibly smoothly, like magic.It’s an amazing experience to get planing without first having to learn how. The board simply accelerates and accelerates and the rider finds himself naturally planing in the right position.The Rios are available in our extremely tough and durable ArmourTech construction, for maximum durability and value.This technology uses layers of three dimensional glass mat wetted out with an expanding epoxy resin system that creates volume within the skin as it cures under pressure and adds an ASA skin shell on top.The Rios are also available in our School Edition, with all-white graphics for easy repairs.Source:  www.star-board-windsurfing.com

4