It depends on the brand and their construction. Freedom boards go soft almost immediately - like in a matter of 4-5 sessions. Those boards have a heavy carbon skin offer minimal internal foam reinforcement and I think that lack of internal structure is the problem.
I think some of the kite company boards hold up a hair better (slingshot, Naish, north, etc) because they’re built a little heavier in those kiteboard/sup factories with the sandwich construction on the outside but still lacking in internal structure so not great. My buddy’s portal is holding up great a year in which is the best I’ve seen for an EPS board(id love to see what’s inside of that one - internal reinforcement is key for EPS) but that’s not made in a mass produced overseas factory so I’m sure they’re doing something special inside the board.
I’ve never put hands on an Appletree but I really like their construction with that PVC foam core and I imagine it holds up(all about the internal reinforcement) but I can’t say for sure as I’ve never tested one.
My personal boards are solid 3lb density PVC foam with internal carbon connecting the boxes to the front foot and external carbon reinforcement - like a heavier Appletree. They are bomber and last forever(but with a weight penalty)
I’ve got a thread about the Freedom boards, the lack of internal structure, and what I add to make them stiff.
You gotta get familiar with the beach test. Pop the board on the sand, foil up, and have one person step on the bottom and torque the foil fore and aft HARD while the 2nd person puts their hands around the boxes to feel for flex. If there’s movement you’ll feel it. Remember - foiling loads on the box are MASSIVE, 2x body weight at times so don’t be afraid to even sit on it!
