It seems to me there are now four kinds of free ride boards. One could argue with my classifications, but I would say the first is the relatively long and narrow free rider, such as the Tabou Rocket, Naish Starship, and Goya Carrera.

The second is the free move category, such as the JP Magic Ride, RRD Fire Move, and Fanatic Gecko. Most manufacturers moved from the old school to the free move a few years ago--for example, Fanatic phased out the Shark and replaced it with the Gecko; and JP phased out the Xcite Ride and replaced it with the Magic Ride.

The third category is the stubby (very short and narrow) category and includes the Fanatic Blast and JP Super Ride. It is too early to tell, but I suspect this new category will replace the free moves such as the Gecko and Magic Ride.

The fourth category has the free race boards such as Starboard Futura, JP Super Sport, and Goya Bolt.

There are also some boards that are hard to put into a category--such as the Goya Volar. It is longer than the boards in any of the other categories but moderately wide side to side and thin top to bottom like the free move boards.

I actually understand what the free race category is about--namely, going really fast with a really powered up sail and jibing at the end of a reach. It is the other three categories (long and narrow, free move, and stubby) that I am confused about. I'd be grateful if someone out there who has some experience with boards in a couple of these categories would please explain the performance differences. Why do JP and Fanatic offer boards in both the free move category and the stubby category? Who is each category intended for? For example, are the free moves for lower intermediates while the stubbies are for higher intermediates and advanced riders? Is one type faster than the other, earlier planing, easier to jibe, or whatever? If yes, why? And why are the two new categories (free move and stubby) better or worse than the long and narrow style (like Rocket and Carrera? Finally, why choose one category over the other?

When free move boards came out, we were told they would plane earlier and be easier to jibe than the older style long and narrow boards. That is not my experience with them, but if that is what you experienced, please share.

Finally, are the stubby boards such as at the Blast and Super Ride really thick top to bottom? If they are short and wide, the volume must go into making them thicker top to bottom. Does that make them hard to tack and slog? (I am terrible at tacking.) Since they are so short and narrow, are they harder to get planing or do adjustments to the rocker, V, concave, and rail make up for the short and narrow outline as far as planing is concerned?

That is a lot of questions, probably too many. But I included them to stimulate conversation. Please don't feel like you have to answer them all (or any of them).

And thanks in advance for your thoughts.