HI Peeps,

We just received the 6'4", 6'0" Converse, Choptop and Protoy 135 for demo. Have them on the beach as we speak. The Protoy is even lighter than last years but feels more solid. Cleaner release step on the tip which should improve it's speed.
It has a new wood core so will be stronger than last years.

The 5'3" Choptop looks just plain sick! The Converse are sweet as and the new colours look wicked.

Come and visit us at Pinnaroo and go for a ride!

I'll write some reviews once I get a chance to take em for a ride.

Good winds,

Johnt said...

How about some pics?

Hi John,

I finally had a chance to get away from the admin work and went kiting this arvie to get a handle on the Protoy, Converse 6'0" and Choptop. Unfortunately I had a few kite issues and bad weather shortened my time on the water to really give each board a thorough thrashing but I did manage to put in some decent time on the Choptop.

Now let me say that I friggen love this little board! So much fun. I hated last years Choptop, couldn't stand it, but this is something else!

For a start, it is a bit weighty so it doesn't bounce around all over the place like the old one which is great. The Quad fin setup has so much bite and tracks beautifully on and off a wave.

I pulled onto a few nice steep waves and it surfs awesome with or without kite assistance. It has a great feel and is easy to ride and water start. I used the little foot hooks to help keep my feet on the board and although a little uncomfortable at first, I got used to it and actually had heaps of fun popping jumps and transitions and hopping over foam balls with the aid of a grabbed rail at times.

The versatility of the board was what got me. So much challenge, so many new avenues of fun to consider when riding and on top of that, it rides waves so well. The fins are set on a very wide angle so that when the board is being edged, they are almost vertical. This gives great control at speed and excellent bite.

I'll definately be spending a lot more time on the Choptop this season and highly recommend a demo ride if you are considering looking at getting into the waves. It's so easy to gybe with the full deck pads stuck on. Definately easier to ride than a strapped Converse if you are new to wave boards and want to try unstrapped wave riding.

I did ride the 6'0" Converse too but only had about 15 minutes on it in crap conditions but not long enough to do a review justice so will wait until I get a decent sesh. It did feel nice though, felt like it had more bottom end than last years.

Protoy got sandy but not salty, have to wait til next time. If you see the van, knock on the door and ask for a demo.

kiteboardingschool.com.au/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage_modern&product_id=43&Itemid=84

Good winds,

Quick comment on new 6.0 converse,have had it in 15 -18kts cross-on & 10-14kts cross-off,2ft slop to 5-6ft solid long period swell at Gerroa, Shoalhaven Heads, NSW sth coast. Ride strapped,board surfs like a dream,very responsive put it where u want when u want. As commented prior fins (fcs) hold nicely at speed, really nice snap when u drive into a turn, board went upwind nicely when powered up. All up really an easy board to get used to(many years surfing experience).
STOKED!!!!!!

Hi FH,

Sorry for the delayed reply, I didn't notice your post til now.

When you switch from Twin tip to Surfboard, you need to adjust your foot weighting. With twin tips you ride with 80% of your weight over the back foot. With a surfboard, your weigh is about 55% favouring your back foot and 45% on the front foot.

You also need to ride the board a little more flat than hard on the edge like a twinny. Allow the fins to load up a bit more, they grip far more than wake fins, trust them and experiment with shifting your weight from front to back foot and allowing your feet to flatten the board a little, (progressively of course) to determine what works for you.

I also have my front footstrap in the forward holes on the front footstrap and in the centre holes of the back footstrap. That sometimes changes though depending upon wind strength.

I hope this helps and you enjoy the board. Make sure you don't jump the old 06, they aren't as strong as the new ones with the 'T' Stringer through the nose and the extra layers under the foot areas.

Good winds,

Hi guys,

I'm 6'6'' and 215' - and am looking for advice on which converse to pick.
will the 6'0 be too small for me?
i think i would prefer to get the 6'0 over the 6'4 (partly after the raving review of the 6'0 by its shaper and partly becuase 6'4 just seems a bit too big), but would love to hear advice from the more experienced.
i am def. not looking to paddle surf the board; so looking for advice for purely kiting (both strapped and strappless).
Also, any advice on the differences b/w the wood and the standard version?
(i'm not necessarily concerned about the price difference if the wood makes sense)
thanks!

M.

i just got my 6'0 -- it looks sweet!
any advice on which fins to use?
some people recommend replacing the stock ones... and more importantly mine came with no fins; so will need to get something in the meantime anyway..
again, i'm quite heavy (215); so may need something stiffer, but def. looking for advice here as i'm only now getting into riding surfboards.
thanks!

M.