Picked up a new 10 6 AA on Friday to go with my 9 6 wide Ripper.
Main aim was to get a board that is better for bombie runs and would have more glide to paddle in to bigger stuff. The 9 6 is an awesome board but at 105kg I struggle in a bit of chop and paddling against a strong offshore to catch decent size waves.
Considered the 10 6 wide AA (30 inches wide on bigger waves is not a good option IMHO) and the Gun(Have to wait til Sept, bugger that winter is here). Not many customs available over here unfortunately. Not many demos either.
The 10 6 looks similar to my old 10 8 JL but in the flesh they are way different, with the PSH having more rocker and a more shortboard style shape (narrower nose). Non sup surfers commented it had a very nice outline.
At 28.5" wide the board is not the most stable 10 6ish going around. That is good as when I jump back on the 9 6 it still feels comfortable. Changed between the 2 a lot this weekend (epic waves not big but clean). The 10 6 has heaps of glide allowing me to pick up waves a lot easier than the 9 6, paddling from reef to reef was a joy.
Wave riding (the most important criteria for me) was excellent strong off the bottom and beautiful control off the top. Good nose rocker for late drops and tail rocker for turning, moving from rail to rain was easy. Not much volume in the nose so more of a carver than a nose rider. Obviously at that length Kelly need not be concerned but it felt really good compared to say the Starboard 9 8. No where near as snappy as the Ripper though. It made up for that with momentum though, easy to link sections gliding over the flats. Great cutbacks, just not a vertical weapon.
The only negative was the weight; using crude scales with fins, grip and strap it was just over 13kg, the 9 6 was just over 10 on the same scales. The weight will be an advantage on the waves I plan to use it in though, big and lumpy.
Overall a happy chappy, oh it has a handle as well! and it is red so it goes faster.
Might get some pics soon, always a long way out though.
.. Sounds like a great board.