After riding the swells this weekend, I'm finally in a position to give this board a good review. First off, the sizing feels absolutely perfect so thanks for your input. ( 6'3 tall, 220 pounds, 39 years old ).
Over the past few weeks I've ridden this board in all types of conditions ranging from knee high to far overhead in both beach and reef break. I had been looking for a board that was "not a performance shortboard" but also "not a fish" for when the waves get a little juicy. Well, this board has turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.
The first thing I noticed is that it paddles extremely well for it's size and catches waves earlier that I expected. This board really loves to be power surfed with full rails engaged. Dropping in, it has a noticeable speed burst off the bottom when powering the front foot in a full rail bottom turn. Out on the face it transitions from rail to rail quickly and cuts back with ease. Compared with some of my wide tailed fishes it feels very easy to lean way over into a firm and controlled cutback. On inside sections, the board check turns well and speeds through inside hollow sections with sure footed control.
It's almost as if the board has a built in gas pedal. Lean forward onto the forward rail and it's off the races, or pressure the rear foot into quick stalls. I've got a feeling I'll be finding the barrel and perhaps finding my way out of many more barrels than I have in the past!
I'd say this board excels in conditions chest high plus to perhaps double overhead as long as it's not crazy hollow on the takeoff. (I'd imagine a board with a narrower nose would be preferable in significantly hollow surf) Waves with steep walls that have some push, with sections where you have to really press the accelerator to make it.
What is really noteworthy is the feeling of control at speed. While the board offers a ton of drive and speed, what is rare is the ability to manage it so well and also to shed the speed easily so as to stay in the pocket.
For those that have tried the "MR twin" style of board, I'd say there are some similarities here, although in my opinion this board is superior in shedding speed and remaining in control on a steep section. I've also tried the Merrick "MTF" design which I think feels somewhat similar. I prefer this board to the MTF as this one has more foam up front and perhaps a little less rocker, which I suppose results in greater down the line speed.
In addition, I've ridden this board as a twin +1, a quad and a thruster. So far in good chunky surf... surprisingly I am enjoying the thruster the most. It has all the grip of a good thruster without the "stop/go" herky jerky.
Well, thanks again for another awesome board. This one will be in my car for each and every good swell for now on!
Holy crap I can't believe it! Let me know when this is ready for pick up S T O K E D. !!!!
ReplyDeletejeff, I am starting to digitize your board at the moment. I should be done later this evening..
DeleteHi Wayne,
ReplyDeleteAfter riding the swells this weekend, I'm finally in a position to give this board a good review. First off, the sizing feels absolutely perfect so thanks for your input. ( 6'3 tall, 220 pounds, 39 years old ).
Over the past few weeks I've ridden this board in all types of conditions ranging from knee high to far overhead in both beach and reef break. I had been looking for a board that was "not a performance shortboard" but also "not a fish" for when the waves get a little juicy. Well, this board has turned out to be exactly what I was looking for.
The first thing I noticed is that it paddles extremely well for it's size and catches waves earlier that I expected. This board really loves to be power surfed with full rails engaged. Dropping in, it has a noticeable speed burst off the bottom when powering the front foot in a full rail bottom turn. Out on the face it transitions from rail to rail quickly and cuts back with ease. Compared with some of my wide tailed fishes it feels very easy to lean way over into a firm and controlled cutback. On inside sections, the board check turns well and speeds through inside hollow sections with sure footed control.
It's almost as if the board has a built in gas pedal. Lean forward onto the forward rail and it's off the races, or pressure the rear foot into quick stalls. I've got a feeling I'll be finding the barrel and perhaps finding my way out of many more barrels than I have in the past!
I'd say this board excels in conditions chest high plus to perhaps double overhead as long as it's not crazy hollow on the takeoff. (I'd imagine a board with a narrower nose would be preferable in significantly hollow surf) Waves with steep walls that have some push, with sections where you have to really press the accelerator to make it.
What is really noteworthy is the feeling of control at speed. While the board offers a ton of drive and speed, what is rare is the ability to manage it so well and also to shed the speed easily so as to stay in the pocket.
For those that have tried the "MR twin" style of board, I'd say there are some similarities here, although in my opinion this board is superior in shedding speed and remaining in control on a steep section. I've also tried the Merrick "MTF" design which I think feels somewhat similar. I prefer this board to the MTF as this one has more foam up front and perhaps a little less rocker, which I suppose results in greater down the line speed.
In addition, I've ridden this board as a twin +1, a quad and a thruster. So far in good chunky surf... surprisingly I am enjoying the thruster the most. It has all the grip of a good thruster without the "stop/go" herky jerky.
Well, thanks again for another awesome board. This one will be in my car for each and every good swell for now on!
Jeff
hey jeff, sorry I just came across your review of this shape! thanks for taking the time to post your insights. see you soon. W.
Delete