Hi Isiswolf, I've paddled both the 12'6 and 14" in Carbon and the 12'6 HRS doing training loops over near Yarra Bay, La Perouse and if you're looking to save a few bucks but want something for downwinders I'd go the 14" in HRS. I'm not a great paddler by any stretch of the imagination but I've found the 14" to be really confidence inspiring and it just picks up the smallest bumps so easily. If your interested in having a go on the 12'6 in the HRS let me know and I'd be happy to meet up and let you have a try of it.

I think the HRS is the way to go unless you want to be racing with the best. HRS is so much more durable long term.. I've got a carbon board but only cause it's 2nd hand if I was buying brand new there's no way id be spending the extra dollars for a carbon they are so fragile outside of the water and I couldn't justify it unless I got serious about racing

It is nicer after a 20k paddle to only have to lift up a carbon version above your head to put on the car than the HRS

Isiswolf said..

riverider said..

It is nicer after a 20k paddle to only have to lift up a carbon version above your head to put on the car than the HRS

Yeah I have no doubt that is the truth but the HRS is stretching the budget so I will need to sell my small child to afford the carbon version

So it's a win, win then..

Isiswolf said..

DavidJohn said..

Isiswolf said..

riverider said..

It is nicer after a 20k paddle to only have to lift up a carbon version above your head to put on the car than the HRS

Yeah I have no doubt that is the truth but the HRS is stretching the budget so I will need to sell my small child to afford the carbon version

So it's a win, win then..

Lol mmmm my partner might not see it that way

Sell her too!