Finally got to try out the new JP 8-2 x 29 (actually closer to 28 than 29) in some fun chest high surf at Kirra. I'm coming down off my JP 8-6 x 29. First up these are two very different boards , the 8-6 has slight V bottom and fuller nose. The 8-2 has a double to single concave and a much more pulled in nose and slightly lesser tail width & increased bottom rocker.
The 8-6 is the little brother of the 8-10 & the 8-2 is the Big brother of the 8-0 x 27. First thing you notice when you pick it up Sh!t it's light and it feels small , but there is only about a 9 litre difference between the 8-2 & 6.
STABILITYI jumped straight on the board and paddled out through the rip next to Kirra groyne which is pretty lumpy . First thing I noticed was the reduced nose area , this will affect your balance more than litres. I made it out the back without dropping in and adjusted my feet to a more surfer stance to find the sweet balance spot in the board. At 93kg's I reckon I'm pretty close to the limit for this board. After about 20min I settled into it and felt fairly comfortable in the cross shore wind. The 8-6 is noticably much more stable.
FINSBoth boards run the 2+1 fin system with zero cant or toe in the fins so they are dead straight. Best fin set I have found is the Jackosn Close thruster set (Shapers) S9 front and S9 rear set in middle of the box. Other riders use smaller fins but I like the drive out of these size fins.
SURFINGThese boards surf so different , the extra rocker and much more pulled in nose give the 8-2 a far more dynamic turning ability , compared to the 8-6. You really notice this on the re-entry , you can absolutely smack it off the lip and land it with ease. That's where the narrow nose comes into play , it lets you drive super hard off the top and bottom which adds up to
SPEED yes it's much faster than the 8-6 and surfs heaps better, but you do feel it more in the legs paddling around.
WHAT RIDERSThis is the perfect board for larger & smaller advanced riders who want a full blown performance board but can't drop down to the 8-0 x 27. If you are around my size you will need to have good balance otherwise this board is not for you.
SUMMARYI love it and just loved the way it surfed , you just push so much harder. The added rocker is really noticable and when the narrow nose hits the lip or foam ball it doesn't rebound back like the wider nose on the 8-6 , you can drive back around instead of getting pushed back around , which all adds up to
MORE SPEED.
The 8-2 will be in the next load of all the new JP's to hit our shores in mid to late July. There will also be the new 7-4 & 7-6
sorry won't be able to review those.
Feel free to flick back some questions.
but seriously I have past your comments on to the JP crew.
