The Duotone Volt DLAB 5’4” 2025 – First Impressions & South Coast Performance Review - Worthing Watersports

If you're on the hunt for a high-performance kite surfboard that excels in choppy conditions and offers a forgiving yet responsive ride, the Duotone Volt DLAB 5’4” could be the perfect board for you. One of our customers recently took it for a spin at Free Beach, Hayling Island, and shared their first impressions. Spoiler alert: this board is an absolute game-changer for South Coast conditions!

First Session: Putting the Volt DLAB to the Test

After eagerly waiting for the perfect opportunity, our rider finally got to take the Volt DLAB 5’4” out on the water. While the conditions were less than ideal, with strong winds and significant chop, the board performed beyond expectations.

Launching in gusty conditions, our rider found themselves slightly overpowered on an 8m kite—certainly not the optimal setup for this board. However, the Volt DLAB handled the conditions impressively well, making its ability to cut through chop immediately apparent. As they navigated a mile and a half upwind towards the sandbar, the board’s performance truly started to shine.

Smooth & Forgiving Ride in Choppy Waters

The Duotone Volt DLAB’s width proved to be a major advantage, making it incredibly forgiving when it came to foot placement. While positioning your feet forward on the pad helps optimize upwind performance, the board naturally flies upwind with ease—our rider quickly overtook others heading towards the sandbar.

In Hayling Island’s notoriously tight chop, the Volt DLAB’s double concave design provided a smooth yet lively ride. Even in the absence of proper wave conditions, the board’s bottom turn felt tight and controlled, allowing for effortless transitions. While the tail width enabled smooth sliding on cutbacks, there was no significant wave to fully test its top-turn spray potential—something our rider looks forward to exploring in future sessions.

Performance & Speed: Pushing the Limits

One standout feature of the Volt DLAB 5’4” is its adaptability. It can be ridden in a slow, upright stance or canted and flying, offering flexibility depending on the rider’s style and conditions. While pushing upwind, there was noticeable spray off the front heel—a small trade-off that might improve with adjusted foot placement over time.

Speed-wise, the Volt DLAB doesn’t disappoint. Even in overpowered conditions, our rider comfortably hit 19 knots off the wind, and the board remained stable and controlled, proving its capability in high-speed scenarios.

Final Thoughts: Is the Duotone Volt DLAB 5’4” the Ultimate South Coast Board?

After just one session, the Duotone Volt DLAB 5’4” has already made a strong impression as a top-tier surfboard for the South Coast’s choppy conditions. It’s an incredibly light and smooth-riding board that excels in transitions and forgives foot placement mistakes, making it an excellent choice for riders transitioning into surfboards for the first time.

For South Coast riders looking for a versatile, chop-eating machine that can handle anything from light to moderate-powered kite sessions, the Volt DLAB 5’4” is a solid contender. We’ll be keeping you updated as we get more ride time, but so far, this board is looking like an absolute winner!

Interested in the Duotone Volt DLAB 5’4”?

As a Duotone specialist store, Worthing Watersports has the Volt DLAB 5’4” in stock and ready for your next session. Whether you're looking for your first surfboard or upgrading to a high-performance wave board, this one is worth checking out. Visit us in-store or online to get yours today!

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