Tkb Review: 2019 OZONE Code V1

OZONE Code V1
Sizes Available: 129 x 38cm, 132 x 39cm, 135 x 40cm, 138 x 41cm, 141 x 42cm, 144 x 43cm
Sizes Tested: 135 x 40cm, 141 x 42cm

Ozone Says:

The Code is an outstanding, all round freeride performance twin tip board that’s fun, fast and smooth with massive pop potential. it has a refined combination of a progressive outline, medium rocker and flex, with a double concave bottom shape developed specifically for intermediate to advanced free riders. The name ”˜Code’ represents the Ozone team coming together to take on the challenge of designing, developing and manufacturing boards that match the performance and quality of our kites. We’ve worked with the same intense level of R&D that goes into our kites to bring the Code to life. Our new in-house production process uses the latest technologies to ensure every aspect of production is carried out perfectly to bring you a perfect no compromise board.

We love to see people enjoying themselves on the water, our aim with creating the Code was to make riding even more engaging and easy to handle. A medium rocker and flex combined with a rounder outline gives this board excellent carving performance as it flows effortlessly from rail to rail. It’s stable in fast power carves and gives you a very fluid consistent linear feeling. The Code has amazing control in choppy water and remains ultra smooth underfoot, even in gnarly chop. In overpowered conditions, the swallow tip design helps the board maintain its edge that allows the rider to perfectly load up for big boosts.

One of the main frustrations riders have on the water is the amount of spray they get in the face, one of our main criteria was to design a board that addresses this problem and practically eliminates spray! The Code fits a diverse range of riding styles and levels from free riding and cruising around, to big airs or freestyle and handle pass tricks. The board gains speed fast and drives hard upwind, delivering great response from the smallest movements. For riders that love board off tricks without using a handle, there is a grab recess on each side of the board for grip.

No board is finished without the correct binding system; the Code’s footpads and straps are beyond comfortable and have been designed to endure the rigors of hard riding. The footpads incorporate layers of ultra durable dual density EVA foam including a memory foam layer, with precise contouring and textures to keep your feet comfortably locked in. The pads are extremely lightweight but offer great shock absorption on hard or fast landings. The straps have been ergonomically designed to give maximum comfort; the combination of soft memory foam and plush neoprene give the rider ultimate cushioning and a snug fit. We have kept to a lightweight single strap system that attaches to the board with minimal effort yet offers a huge range of adjustment to suit a variety of riders. The base plate has multiple cutouts that allow for a customized stance width and angle adjustments.

Visit for more info: www.ozonekites.com/products/kiteboards/code-v1

Our Testers Say:

“Ozone did an incredible job with their first try at board shaping. The Code is a pillow through chop and hard landings. This board makes cruising around effortless.” // Tib Anghel

“Found myself riding this board a lot when Ineeded a familiar ride to test kites. Really good all around fun board with no tip spray. Fun carving waves and handles chop great.” // Giuseppe Molinario

“I liked this board; it was easy on my joints and performed well for turns and chop. It would be a good board for someone who rides in chop and jumps and is looking for a soft ride with cushion.” // Jeff Waldberg

Meet Our Testers

Tkb Says:

Now that Ozone is taking their acclaimed approach to kites into the twin tip realm we get to test two models, the Code being the all around freeride progression shape featuring a nice V hull shaped with a spine lining a double concave with fairly good-sized fins. The Code is the first board they brought to the market, yet the construction details and design indicate a well thought out combo of performance traits for all around freeride comfort. Testers mentioned that the Code would be a top candidate as one of the optimal boards to cross the chop-infested waters of the La Ventana channel in comfort. The Code features subtle rounded tips that help it cut through chop with minimal spray and the bigger sized fins coupled with the mild rocker helps the Code track upwind really well. The spine and concave combo seems to cut through the chop making it a great option for beginner and intermediate riders that prize comfort and user-friendly cruising. The Code likes to effortlessly lock into an upwind track, feeling very secure without a ton of controlling input to keep the wheels on the road. With a softer more forgiving flex pattern compared to Ozone’s Torque, the Code can be fun and playful, friendly for carving and easy to load and release for general jumping with forgiving landings. The truth is that Ozone may be Johnny-come-lately to the twin tip party, but in releasing the Code they’ve clearly done their homework and come up with a board that ticks all the boxes for a large part of the market. First time board buyers that want an all-around freeride board that will keep them comfortable while marching through the freeride progression should check out the Code. 

The Code comes with three inserts for adjusting stance width and the pad has a couple of settings for adjusting your stance’s duck. The Ozone pads and straps system is fairly straightforward and easy. The footpads are comprised of relatively thick EVA with dual density zones incorporating a layer of memory foam. The setup sits a bit higher off the deck of the board, but also sit fairly flat against the board. The footbeds don’t have a ton of arch contour, but feature some good texture under the heel and a subtle heel bump that is appropriately placed to keep your foot locked in. The strap is a single adjustment strap system that’s got an overlapping Velcro strap adjusted on top that makes changes fairly straightforward but one dimensional. The under the strap material is cloth-like neoprene rounding out a comfortable, simple straightforward strap. This binding received solid reviews for comfort and while it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some other systems, it does boast a very simple and easy setup.