Hi there,
I am in the market for a new kite/surfboard which I want to be able to ride strapped or use a regular surfboard. I had my mind set on the Firewire despite various reports of delamination but the next batch will not reach Australia until July I am told.
I am now looking for feedback on both the UDG and Airush models. I am 78kg and ride mostly side or side-on conditions, 1-5ft. Also very interested to hear people's experience in terms of life span for these boards.

Cheers

How does it compare to thr UG freewave and the Celeritas?

Thanks

I use last years converse 6'0
I borrowed it last year while my other board was in repair and after using it twice i had to buy one.

I have used/demo'd/tried all sorts of boards from firewires to SS to poly boards etc etc etc For me the converse is the one that did it.

It feels tight, takes what you throw at it and just goes perfect.
I've had it out in double overhead to 1 foot on shore slop and it has never disappointed.
Three of my friends tried the converse and now each of them have one.
Wicked boards.

I'm not sure what else to say.

Ive ridden both boards

2010 Converse - 6'0 model

Very Smooth Board, first thing i felt when i got on the board was how you dont really feel the chop at all - feels like you're floating - a lot of it was mainly to do with how good the pads are.

Upwind ability was good but found to be better on the Pohutu

Very Nice and stable board - is a great board to do strapless airs as it wont blow away in the wind - has a bit more weight than the pohutu does

Also seems to have a bit more flex than the pohutu - probably due to the construction

Rode it strapless but got the feeling it might be better as a strapped board - waves i rode it in were about shoulder high

2010/2009 Pohutu - 5'8 model

have yet to surf it but a few people claim that its possible...

I rode it strapless

Very STABLE board - seems a bit stiffer than the converse - very much reminds me of the Freewave in terms of how it sticks to your feet - I found that the Pohutu was easier to gybe than the converse. Goes upwind like a rocket - typical underground board

board accelerates really fast and snaps on a dime - have only had a chance to ride it in smaller waves but would love to try it in the bigger stuff - very fast board which seems stable at high speed - but not sure how it would be going down a big face because of the weight as it is quite light.


Personally i love the Pohutu for lighter winds and strapless, and i think the pohutu would have a stonger construction with the paulownia sandwich.

Hope this helps