CORE Fusion 7

Our friends at CORE lent us the latest iteration of their Fusion 7, a board that has been a staple in their lineup for over a decade. We had it for a few weeks, meaning we got to test it in all sorts of conditions. But first, let’s start with the basics.

At first glance, the Fusion 7’s craftsmanship really stands out. The board features Cartan Triax carbon, a lighter and more responsive evolution of the biax carbon used in previous generations. CORE has also incorporated GreenPoxy, a resin made with 35% plant-based content – an encouraging move toward sustainability without sacrificing strength. At the center of the board lies a CNC-milled Paulownia wood core, designed for reduced weight and consistent flex. The Unibody Edge Light construction seamlessly connects the deck and rails, increasing torsional stiffness for improved grip and long-term durability. But enough tech talk, let’s get into what really matters: how does it perform on the water?

The Fusion 7 is a high-performance freeride/Big Air board, so it naturally became our go-to ride over the past few weeks. It performed impressively across every condition we threw at it – from super-choppy water to stormy waves, and from light-wind cruising to full-on nuking Big Air sessions. In light wind and chop, the board planes early and feels remarkably efficient. Once locked into an upwind edge, it rides comfortably while channeling spray away from the rider. In stronger winds, it remains composed and predictable, delivering plenty of bite when edging hard for big boosts. We even caught a few solid storms while testing, and despite the messy wave conditions, the board continued to shine. Those days also allowed us to push it into proper Big Air territory, where its versatility really stood out. On the good days it feels smooth and comfortable, and it manages to keep that same confidence-inspiring feel even when the sea turns wild.

When loading up for a jump, the Fusion 7 offers explosive takeoffs with a strong sense of control even on choppy water. It might lack the absolute final bit of grip and vertical pop that a dedicated Big Air board offers at the very end of the pop, but the trade-off is absolutely worth it for the comfort and versatility it provides in every other scenario.

But after all those sessions, what truly made us fall in love with this board were the landings. Somehow, it slices into the water in a way that dissipates energy along the riding direction, allowing for clean, forgiving landings even when your angle or speed isn’t quite perfect.

It’s also worth mentioning that we tested the board with the “Union Comfort” footstraps. At first, we were a bit skeptical since they don’t offer many customization options, but we were completely wrong. The ride is comfortable and the straps provide all the grip you need throughout the sessions.

So, who is this board for? Perhaps a smarter question is, who isn’t it for? We’d only steer it away from riders seeking the absolute last ounce of grip for the most vertical pop. For virtually every other rider out there, the Fusion 7 is a fantastic option. Its versatility, smooth flex, predictability, light weight and purposeful engineering make it suitable for virtually any rider, from beginners just starting their journey to advanced freeriders seeking a reliable all-rounder. It’s a true do-it-all twintip for riders who love speed and control, yet still value comfort and finesse.