Windsurf MagazineGOYA BANZAI PRO 5.7M TEST REVIEW 2024

The Verdict

The Goya Banzai Pro is punchy, powerful and light in the hands, it loves to be ridden with enthusiasm, working with the flow of the wave and rider to maximise riding potential. With the ability to adapt to bump and jump conditions, its desire to be ridden and powerful nature will encourage you to ride with more commitment and vigour.

The Lowdown

The Goya Banzai Pro is bright and bold, so it immediately catches the eye in its two colourways – fluorescent yellow with white accents, which were provided for the test, or red with fluorescent yellow accents. A four-batten layout, branded as their “Powerwave” sail in the Goya line-up, the Banzai Pro aims to deliver extra power from the backhand when you need it. The Banzai Pro lives up to its name and carries a distinct wave sail outline, as opposed to a classic crossover sail, like some others on test. Upon initial inspection, the Banzai seems like a simple sail with its four-batten layout, aiming to deliver exactly what it says on the tin – power. At rest, a small amount of loose leech is present and the Banzai Pro reacts well to rider tuning – whether it’s rigged with a tighter leech or more traditionally with more fall away down the back edge of the sail – it looks pleasing on the eye either way. The Banzai Pro offers a handy tuning option with two titanium clew eyelets for added strength and lightness, GT14 unidirectional carbon fibre – stretch control – radiate from the two clew positions, making a vast difference to the Banzai’s stability, power, body shape and the sail’s twisting characteristics. All this tuning ability increases the range of the Banzai Pro with some active tuning from the rider. The genetic makeup of the sail starts with a well-placed window, made up of Bi-Ply Film, consisting of two clear layers that last three times longer than traditional monofilm, which make it resistant to hard creases and well protected against UV. The rest of the Banzai is made of Dimension Polyant scrim material – a thicker scrim foot panel with added kevlar yarns – and a full ripstop luff sleeve. Add in the folded edges and double triple stitching on high-load seams and what may appear a simple sail at first glance, is in fact very well-engineered with plenty of attention to detail with longevity in mind.

Brand Claim

“Improved flex feel throughout the entire size range, well balanced for manoeuvre style riding, with an extra bit of power available off the backhand at all times, for really loading up into big manoeuvres or just for a burst of speed.”

Performance

The Banzai Pro is light in the hands, yet it still delivers punchy low-end power, opening up the possibility of using a size down compared to others on the water – maximising the Powerwave’s true personality. The Banzai Pro loads up and assists you getting onto the plane with the power coming from up and forwards in the sail, positioning you poised on the front foot, ready for the upcoming manoeuvre. In gusty conditions, you can feel the sail naturally twist off as it takes on and absorbs the gusts. The back hand is a secret little turbo boost in the Banzai Pro as consciously working the back hand delivers more drive, speed, power, and height in and out of manoeuvres. The Banzai Pro can feel a little unsettled when overpowered, but with a spot of simple tuning this can be resolved by utilising the double clew eyelet or/and by adding more downhaul to regain control. The Banzai Pro will get you out over messy water with ease, with its power delivery allowing you to sail fast, while actively driving the board. In the air, the turbo from the back hand keeps you stable with added float and control. Where the Banzai Pro truly excels is on a wave as the sail really comes to life when being actively moved through the riders’ hands. Think big, powerful turns combined with loads of spray, paired with an extremely responsive on-off nature. The Banzai Pro is exactly what it says on the tin – a “Powerwave Sail” and that is where it truly belongs.

Goya Windsurfing 2020 Banzai Pro & Banzai X Pro from Forward Maui LLC on Vimeo.

GOYA BANZAI PRO 5.7M TEST REVIEW 2024

www.goyawindsurfing.com

VITAL STATS

Price: £765
Size: 5.7m
Luff: 440cm
Boom: 170/173cm (Boom lower/Upper) +/-2cm
Battens: 4
Ideal Mast: 100% RDM 430
Available Sizes: 3.15, 3.4, 3.7, 4.0, 4.2, 4.5, 4.7, 5.0, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.3

OTHER SAILS IN THIS TEST

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