Introduction: Last year saw a real boom in Flyboards popularity on the beaches as the boards and designs got better and better. One of our favorite freeride twintip boards from the 2010 season was the Radical M 134cm and this year looks to be no exception in terms of looks and performance.

Talk the Talk: Flyboards currently have a two board lineup for twintips, the Doors and the Radicals. The Radical is deigned to be a premium all round freeride board. Flyboards have done very well to make a board that is equally at home in the hands of a beginner or freestyle guru. Beginners will love the stunning top and bottom sheet graphics, solid build quality and comfort provided by the pads and straps whilst freestylers will dig the solid and rugged feel to the board when slicing it around on the water.

Whether riding on butter flat water, waves or mushy south coast chop the Radical always performs as expected on your feet. The boards shape helps it power upwind. When riding down the line on the Radical it is not the softest carve board out there but changing this would take away from other areas that the board excels in.

The pads and straps on the boards have always been extremely comfy. Last year over time the foot straps could become quite hard to adjust so this year Flyboards have adapted a new tighten and release system to ensure that the straps ride like new years into owning the board. Everyones feet are different shapes and sizes but we found the pads to be exceedingly nice to ride on. The firm outline helps with keeping your feet central to the pad whilst the soft heel section of the pad really cushions hard landings on the board.

Jumping on the Radical is a breeze due to its stiffness. This allows you to really load the board up with power and get loads of pop when leaving the water for those crazy new school “cable” moves. If your more into big floaty jumps or old school board offs and spins, you will be fond of the lightweight and indented grab handle on the toe side edge of the board.

Low wind performance on the Radical is very good to its low rocker and flat outline. The stiffness of the board helps it charge through the water without loosing any energy. This also makes the board feel really direct on your feet.

Overview: The Radical M is a simply stunning board to ride, it powers through flat water and chop alike whilst the flex in the board gives superb pop for either boosting massive or unhooking. The flatter, stiffer shape also helps when the winds on the lighter side for maximum performance.

Liked: The graphics, the new foot straps and the overall stunning performance on your feet in all conditions.

Would Change: Riders can always have more choice in terms of stance and footpad angles so maybe work on that.

Size on test: 134 x 40cm Flyboards Radical M (medium)

2011 FlyRadical M provided by Flysurfer