I n the process of selling one of the best surf sup I have owned - Jimmy Lewis QUAD - it is too light for me - tire out too quickly!
Have just purchased a "bamboo evoke" as a choice over the carbon. The heavier weight allows me to punch thru whitewater and keep momentum when paddling, also carves more readily ( for me ). This is not talking about minute adju - stments in weight to stay in the pocket n more longer carves with speed and off the top or big cutback - heavier boards suit me at 68 y old and 90 k. HOW ABOUT YOU - is carbon lightweight your choice - different surf style - different age group and more flexible?
Steve
Select to expand quotestehar said..
I n the process of selling one of the best surf sup I have owned - Jimmy Lewis QUAD - it is too light for me - tire out too quickly!
Have just purchased a "bamboo evoke" as a choice over the carbon. The heavier weight allows me to punch thru whitewater and keep momentum when paddling, also carves more readily ( for me ). This is not talking about minute adju - stments in weight to stay in the pocket n more longer carves with speed and off the top or big cutback - heavier boards suit me at 68 y old and 90 k. HOW ABOUT YOU - is carbon lightweight your choice - different surf style - different age group and more flexible?
Steve
Bigger the wave the less you feel extra kilos. Weight helps in wind and chop to a degree. However in up to head high, clean, good shaped waves I love my feather weight custom Smik. 55 and 105kg love hitting the lip :)
Other than the absolute weight, its repartition is also important. For instance you can have a light blank wrapped in an heavy shell (e.g. sandwich boards) or an heavier blank in a lighter skin (e.g. traditional construction). For the same total weight the heavier blanks feel smoother and keep drive better in turns, but the lighter blanks have more "pop".
Yes, heavier boards carve more smoothly and are less sensitive to chop.
This said, at 58, I still prefer lighter boards :-)
Select to expand quotemicksmith said..
like Hilly just a young bloke 56yrs @84kg prefer lighter carbon feel.
Carbon definitely has a distinct 'feel' and really accelerates out of turns. Which is good in small waves but bad in bigger waves when you want to control the speed. Does allow you to ride a thinner narrower board in bigger stuff though.
Hey Stehar,
Your JL Kwad isn't even the carbon model it's the JL Signature Sandwich wrap construction.... The beauty of Jimmy's construction is that you don't need the carbon in his surf sup's as the carbon & Signature are almost identical unlike other brands that do completely different constructions in their price point vs carbon models.... JL's Signature Sandwich is just as light as most carbon brands & just as strong if not stronger....
You've just gone a cheaper construction that weighs more.... The best solution is surf more 
Select to expand quoteJimmy Lewis Boards said..
Hey Stehar,
Your JL Kwad isn't even the carbon model it's the JL Signature Sandwich wrap construction.... The beauty of Jimmy's construction is that you don't need the carbon in his surf sup's as the carbon & Signature are almost identical unlike other brands that do completely different constructions in their price point vs carbon models.... JL's Signature Sandwich is just as light as most carbon brands & just as strong if not stronger....
You've just gone a cheaper construction that weighs more.... The best solution is surf more
Surfed both and there is a difference. JL normal construction is bomb proof and very light, do not touch his carbon boards. Super light but fragile. Other brands like Smik are way better.
Hi Hilly, not sure how they can be more fragile when they're identical construction other than 1 layer of glass being replaced with 1 layer of carbon.... I haven't had a problem with 1 in 2 years of distributing them... I've been riding a carbon Stun Gun as my step-up board for 12 months in big surf & it doesn't even have a dent in it...
Select to expand quoteJimmy Lewis Boards said..
Hi Hilly, not sure how they can be more fragile when they're identical construction other than 1 layer of glass being replaced with 1 layer of carbon.... I haven't had a problem with 1 in 2 years of distributing them... I've been riding a carbon Stun Gun as my step-up board for 12 months in big surf & it doesn't even have a dent in it...
Whatever not going to get in a slanging match got heaps of pics of my issues. Just stating the facts.
Okay - not carbon - but nearly as light! The cheaper construction that weighs more is what I wanted - easier for me - I surf three or four times a week - helps the arthritis and keeps me fit. I started surfing on a Barry Bennet mal " xmas pesent 1962 " and have surfed many craft over the years - old mal, the shorter wider Mctavish boards and then onto a "Greenough Spoon" kneeboard. Then my shortest board ever which was a "San Juan" ? -forgot the spelling. Moved onto waveskis and then in this century onto mini mals. I like surfing like .... SEA OF JOY - SULTAN OF SPEED etc. Power fast flowing carves ( if I can manage ) this involves big cutties back into the pocket to set up a barrel - never done a vert reo in my life and would rather carve off the top with speed to lead into the next phase.
Light flicky boards are not for me - Rob - the light JL quad is brilliant and if he made a heavier version Iwould have bought it, NOT EVERY ONE wants a lighter board!
Steve
Select to expand quotestehar said..
Okay - not carbon - but nearly as light! The cheaper construction that weighs more is what I wanted - easier for me - I surf three or four times a week - helps the arthritis and keeps me fit. I started surfing on a Barry Bennet mal " xmas pesent 1962 " and have surfed many craft over the years - old mal, the shorter wider Mctavish boards and then onto a "Greenough Spoon" kneeboard. Then my shortest board ever which was a "San Juan" ? -forgot the spelling. Moved onto waveskis and then in this century onto mini mals. I like surfing like .... SEA OF JOY - SULTAN OF SPEED etc. Power fast flowing carves ( if I can manage ) this involves big cutties back into the pocket to set up a barrel - never done a vert reo in my life and would rather carve off the top with speed to lead into the next phase.
Light flicky boards are not for me - Rob - the light JL quad is brilliant and if he made a heavier version Iwould have bought it, NOT EVERY ONE wants a lighter board!
Steve
The carbon version was awesome on tiny waves. Few years ago
Sorry to hear if you had any issues Hilly & hopefully the previous distributor took care of any the might have arisen.... I haven't had a warranty board in 2 years of distributing JL board sin Aus...
Horses for courses Steve.... enjoy
