If you're looking for a first board or allrounder this board is amazing, one of the best surfing boards of its size. Thanks for the vid Rob

PottyMullet said..
Anyone know how the Icon might compare to the JP Fusion 10'2" as they both seem to have similar specs?

I have not ridden the Fusion but it seems that the stepped rail is good by others accounts for manoeuvrability.

Also curious about the handle. IMO boards produced these days without a ledge or lift style handle is behind the times. Any feedback would be appreciated

Yes the two are virtually the same size, the Icon is slightly more "surfy"
Both are ledge handles and same construction.

adssup said..
Has anyone paddled one of these yet? It looks like it might be what I'm looking for.

Come in and demo one. We have a demo 9'6 and 10'2 Icon ready to go.

I pawed one in a shop for an hour or so - was so tempted to take it to replace my big board/small wave cruiser as it really does look like the perfect all-round shape. Heavy by modern standards - but not excessively so. A relatively fast looking rockerline, but with really nice volume distribution - quite fine in the nose and tail, so it shouldn't freak out on those small days when the odd bigger "set of the day" comes through.
BUT - I just couldn't get why the kick-pad is so far forward. I'm 99% sure I'd end up having to cut it off and put another one 6"or so back - just in front of the leggy plug. Very few longer (actually any length) SUPs with a 2+1 fin setup seem to turn effectively without your back foot at least over the rear fin and this board effectively is set-up to stop you getting your foot back there. It just looks like they didn't think this through, or have the right people turn up to supervise at the factory - which made me worry about what else they didn't iron out before going into production. I also try to avoid FCS wherever possible, so have a big stash of Futures and only one measly set of FCS TC Redlines left. At nearly 110kg, they often used to snap out of my surfboards in turns which is pretty annoying - especially at spots which are 20 minutes or more back to the carpark.
Anyone ridden an Icon in the surf???

Outline-wise it's similar I suppose, but there were Manas on the rack next to these and one glance told me they were way too thick and corky looking to work in anything but small/gutless waves. They look like they are designed with standing being a lot more of a priority than surfing. The Imagine looked like it was designed for surfing - but then finished with general paddling in mind.

I wish he made a bigger 'Impact' then. I like the shape, but the 9'8x29"x131L would be too wobbly for me even without a hangover. At 6'4 and nearly 110kg I'm a big boy, but by no means a freak. Most of the windsurfing companies have finally realised that big fellas need high performance gear too (and often might also be big as they're a bit older - so they might actually have more $$$ to spend than lightweight rippers in their early 20's). I understand the company behind Imagine is the sailmaker Neil Pryde which has been involved in windsurfing for yonks, so it's odd that Imagine seem to be amongst the SUP makers that haven't.
Kalama is a legend though.

Sweet....but frustrating that I keep hearing of new sizes/models for "later this year" when the start of prime season here is really only weeks away!