QUATRO GLIDE AST ALL-AROUND THRUSTER 190 2017 REVIEW

OVERVIEW
Remaining current for 2017, the Glide is Quatro’s ‘all-round’ board, for cruising and mixing it up in small waves. We reviewed the 145L version last year in their elite Pro construction, so this year we’re taking a look at the 190 (the second largest in the seven-board range) in the range’s more price-pointed AST technology. Incorporating a cubed fused cell foam core, the board has a sandwich construction outer shell for optimum strength to weight ratio, featuring unidirectional glass-reinforced rails for “extra stiffness in surf conditions”. With a tapered nose, rounded outline and squashed squaretail, the Glide was developed using CAD and has a clean and attractive appearance. It comes complete with KT (named after shaper Keith Teboul) signature deckpads, as well as some MFC SUP specialist fins, although the centre fin uses a standard US box, enabling you to experiment with fin options for more traction and directional stability in windsurfing mode.

BRAND CLAIM
“The new Glide brings along two bigger sizes that are more surf oriented. Just like the Pro version, the AST features the ISD™ (Integrated Stability Deck), which works slightly against the convex deck dome, offering a more solid stance. The nose rocker has a lower entry for ease of paddling and a very constant glide, hence the name. The bottom transitions from single to double to vee for an agile and manoeuvrable board. All Glide models come with a raised tail kick for added grip when riding waves. We consciously do not use a carbon deck on the Glide because it would result in too stiff a board for SUP surfing and inhibit much desired flex and pop.”

PERFORMANCE
We summarised the 8’8” model of the Glide when we tested it last year by saying it is “best classed as a SUP that can also be used with a windsurfing sail, rather than an all out 50-50 WindSUP.” And we think this remains true for this 190L version as well. In paddleboard mode it does its namesake justice, cutting through the water smoothly, whilst remaining very secure and easy underfoot. It certainly wouldn’t be out of place if used for some leisurely exploring on flat water. The flat deck and grippy deckpad combine to provide a real connection to the board, its narrow profile making it easy to punch through some powerful stokes. Used in a break, the 190 catches waves effortlessly, no matter how small and weak the sets are. Once on the face, its volume distribution makes it easy to transfer weight back and maintain speed, the wide squashed tail extending its stability, whilst the raised central part of the back pad and heel kicks help to locate your foot and retain grip. We only had the opportunity to try the board in a few waves, but it lapped them up. In windsurfing mode, the Glide makes best use of its 190L, feeling balanced and easy to trim underfoot. With a US central finbox, there is of course the opportunity to exchange the 6.5” SUP fin into something more typically suited for windsurfing. That said, without the addition of a central fin option, we don’t believe this Glide is really applicable (nor intended) for novice riders, whereas 190L is plenty for most light-medium weight intermediates. So stick with the fins provided and learn to edge the board on its rails, practicing good habits for when the wind returns and the short-board comes out. With stability and glide the 190 makes light work of float and ride fun, accelerating smoothly on the wave. We’d have loved to take it out on some larger days as we think the potential for long flowing rides is written all over it.

VERDICT
With plenty of volume and stability for light to medium weight riders, the 190 is far from out of place on flat water and makes the ideal platform for intermediate technique refinement. Yet put it amongst a break and the capacity for fun is amplified exponentially.

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