Hi I was wondering if everyone could say if boards they have had have been durable or not.

If you could put down board year - model - construction and then say whether its durability was as good as expected, OK or a lemon


I thought it would be a good way to see if there were any bullet-proof constructions or model years to be avoided. I know there are lots of variables but you can decide whether the board met your expectation.

Deep 7'8 Minion..one tough baby...excellent construction, materials IMO. Have had no.problems at all. Been in rugged surf and conditions..however I do take very good care of her

Jimmy Lewis Kwad 2011 and Jimmy Lewis Stun Gun 2014 (not carbon). Rock solid.

Hobie ATR11 . 11' - tough as nails. Bic C-tec tracer 14' - dings easily. Hobie 12'4 venture on it's way. I expect it to be tough too.

2014 Waterborne Evoke 7'11 in carbon, absolutely bulletproof. I can't ding or chip it with numerous bottom and paddle strikes. Handle is a bit crappy but they have fixed that with the new models now have a wedge type.

I think you need to have people state whether they are prone surfers or not.

In my experience, people that haven't been used to the handling and care of a traditional surfboard have very different expectations on the durability of boards. Things as "I am super careful of my gear" and see them drag the board on sand... "What you mean dragging the fins in the sand is not to be done?". But they rinse the board for 5 minutes after each session... And on forums you see people calling brands "crap" because they freak out on some foot depressions...

I will also separate things that are totally cosmetic (paint scratches, foot depressions) from the serious ones (anything that makes water enter the board. You would not believe how some people will throw a tantrum on foot depressions and rail paint scratches. With some experience you learn that a ding that takes water makes permanent damage, whereas paint scratches are just painted over easily to make the board as new when you want to resell it.

Also, durability can be a trade off for lightness. In the Gong line, there have been 2 series of boards less tough than the rest: the all-carbon, non sandwich black "Pros", and the 2012 to mid-2013 "Bamby" (bamboo deck, red hull & rails), but the Bamby were definitely lighter (15%) than the 2014 ones. So, although most people preferred the heavier but sturdier ones, some people looked for the opposite. For instance a Friend bought a light & "fragile" Fract 8'1" (8.4 kg with pad + fins), sold it to another guy "X". I bought a new 8'1"for my daughter (10kg), but exchanged with "X" to have a lighter one: for a surfer girl the light construction was actually tough enough, and the weight reduction (1.6kg) more than welcome. And now, I am reselling it to the first owner that regret having sold it... and it still haven't got a scratch.
But I am sure that in the hands of a non-surfer this board will have had dinged quite a lot.

PS: The current "XTR" Gong construction is quite impressive: real 100% euro carbon + true PVC sandwich on deck + kevlar rails + PVC foam cases for the handle & fin boxes makes it both extra tough and quite light. But it is always a compromise: the kevlar rails for instance add more than 500g... is it worth it? it depends on customer expectations...

(1) Starboard Avanti AST - paint disappears off rails but the board was solid otherwise. 2011

(5) Fanatic Allwaves & Prowave HRS = very tough - no rail tape needed, handle OH crunchies easily (with proper impact avoidance) 2012 - 14

(3) Naish Mana's & Alana = ok, but not great for the $, 1 delam, all chip at the touch of a paddle 2013 - 14

(3) Hobie RAW's = never a mark from a paddle, no dents.... but I ALWAYS avoided direct lip impact.... I was nervous about that type of hit. 2014

(2) Sunova's = 1 XXX Tech - 1 Pine = months of paddle whacking and surf.... excellent, no dents, solid feel, bottom needs more caution, because it is intentionally softer for smooth ride, minor superficial white stars show on glass over carbon rails. 2014 & 15