Saul Custom Pure 3.0 wood review

Custom graphics

As can be seen on the pictures, the colors are superbly striking and alive. It really pops out on the beach as a custom board. Contrary to the bulk of regular board designs, this one is eye-popping with it's bright, beautiful colors. It's almost as if the graphics come out of the board when the sun shines on it! At Aguarta, we know of course that this result can only be achieved through the handpainted work that goes into it. Every creation is 100% digitally handpainted and each color carefully blended for print. "What you see on screen is what you get in real!" Such precise, personal and on-demand results could not be achieved through prevailing photoshop-processed imagery. Imagine, this board was actually handpainted just for you! There is no other board like it. It's 100% unique.

First ride

When getting on the PURE 3.0 for the first time, most noticable is its user-friendliness. While wake- and freestyle boards typically ask for more active rider input and strength, this one makes you feel relaxed right away amidst a choppy sea. Exploring its capabilities, however, proved to be quite surprising...

Performance in choppy waters

The PURE could be summarized as having two personalities, each with it's own temperament. In choppy waters, the freeride qualities mostly come forward. In fact, it handles chop exceptionally well. This magic thing happens when the nose always points over the chop, generating virtually no spray at all, without you having to adjust. It looks like a magic carpet that flies clean over every obstacle by itself. Truly a unique and distinct riding quality. Tracking upwind effortlessly at moderate speed, it invites you to relax and enjoy the ride. While the center channels keep things from getting too skatey, it sits loosely on the water, inviting you to play around and jump at any occasion. This brings us to what we find this board is primarily made for: jumping!

Flat water and jumping

Throw the power of the kite in it, and you'll discover its wakestyle qualities and explosive response. Capable of instantly accelerating to top speeds, the benefits of its three-stage rocker best come forward in flatter waters. Wether you are unhooking or going for big air, you can send it at any moment without having to worry about first unglueing the board from the water. It pops with much ease and control, though also aggressively when well powered up. Where freeride boards typically provide a gradual pop, this one jumps on a dime. Even if the acceleration surprises you, the channels keep the board from skipping out. Like virtually all performance boards, it will perform best in the mid to high windrange. Very remarquable is the fact that those seemingly opposite performance aspects - cosy freeride vs aggressive wakestyle - could be blended into the same board with only little compromise. Ironically, it hasn't a "pure" style, but is shaped with such insight that you get both the comfort or kick out of it when you want to. The medium flex and unique shape make up for a really clever design.

So who will love it?

It's the kind of board where, once you tried it, you'll hardly ever want anything else. A playful, yet accessible ride with high-end features that will literally keep boosting you to new hights. Unless going for a more uncompromising performance shape, or just something calmer, this one fits the bill for anyone with jumping and doing tricks on their mind. On top of that, custom handpainted graphics truly propel it to a whole new level visually!

Ian C.