I had my first surf on a production Naish 9’6” today. A demo from Sam at WINDSURFnSNOW.

One word: WOW.

For those of you who ride a standard shortboard and can surf a SUP, you’ve got to try this board, it absolutely shreds.

I’m 88 kilos and ride an 11’ Oxbow SUP about 50% of the time. The other 50% of my surfs are on a 6’4” shortboard, a 5’10” fish or a 9’2” performance longboard.

I went out the bommy at Long Reef. Just a few other guys out on mals, a light off/cross-shore blowing, mid tide and sun out. The inconsistent sets were pushing head high. Pretty much great conditions.

I knee paddled through the shorey, stood up and fluked a nice lull to paddle straight out. Easy. It felt a little wobbly compared to my 11’ Oxbow on that first paddle out but it wasn’t long before I was more comfortable with the feel of it and learnt not to fight it.

A short wait for a decent set had me standing stationary out the back which proved to be a little tricky too (or at least different to my 11 footer). I just had to learn to keep looking ahead and to stop looking down to admire the stranger beneath my feet.

A nice peaking three footer arrived and I swung around and paddled into it. With the first bit of lift from the wave the board accelerated really well and I had no problems paddling on to it. I thought it would be harder than that to get it moving fast enough to take off. I went left, on my backhand, starting with a big drive off the bottom and a series of on-rail cutbacks. How good does it set a rail, I thought - so much better that having to nurse the turns on my 11 footer. You can really get down low and grind into a cutback on your backhand, pushing as hard as you can without it spinning out. I pulled out just before the shorey, regained composure and paddled out. I’m still dry - stoked.

The next wave was another left but bigger and wallier than the first. I’m already feeling confident and push it even harder. The quad fins hold really well with the help of the sharp rail down the rear third of the board. I try a few hand switches with the paddle, a drop knee backhand bottom turn and more of those crouching down, on-rail cutbacks. Love it. I even go for a foam bounce and make that with ease - this board seems impossible to ride badly. A little backhand floater on the shorey and I jump off in knee deep water instead of riding onto the sand. My best SUP wave to date and it’s only my second on this board.

I try paddling out through a couple of broken waves as I haven’t needed to do this yet. The pulled in nose jumps up and over the whitewater on the first one surprising smoothly, leaving me nearly falling off because I was anticipating more of a whack (like what I’d get from the full nose of my 11’ Oxbow). The next whitewater was bigger and I lose it - now I’m finally wet but not disheartened as it was a hard one to get over. I eventually get through the impact zone and out near the back a guy on a shortboard tells me that wave was a smoker, it walled up all the way. I chuckle and casually agree as if I get waves like that all the time.

The next wave for me peaks up and I have the choice of going left or right. I choose the right as I’m keen to try one on my forehand. I fade left a bit, then get down low and drive the biggest bottom turn I’ve ever done on a SUP. Man that feels good. A layback cutback materialises itself and again I push it hard and the green Simon Anderson quad fins (size large) hold in beautifully. The board holds the rail and drives around with acceleration instead of doing a slidey snap. Another little cutback and a nice floater to finish my first forehand ride on the new Naish 9’6”. I was really not expecting to be enjoying a board so much on my first surf.

I stayed out for nearly two hours getting a mixture of lefts and rights, testing out the rest of my repertoire of moves - layback backhand bottom turns, a soul arch forehand bottom turn, drop knee cutbacks, even a nice stalling (with the paddle) tube ride (but I got pinched and didn’t make it out). The Naish handles them all and I feel like I’ve been riding the board for months.

I did manage to spin out once on a forehand cutback but that was probably because I hit a bit of chop and wasn’t prepared for the speed through the turn that the 9’6” delivers. Other than that it could take all the push I could give it - as much as my 6’4” shortboard - and that’s pretty impressive for a SUP.

The board is only a bit over 7 kilos - way different to the 14 kilos I usually ride. This is great for hopping up onto the foam for floaters and foam bounces as well as getting up and over the whitewater on the way out. The weight, along with the hand hole in the deck make carrying the board around a breeze - such a nice change. Being only 9’6”, it fits inside my Ford Territory which is great if I were to decide to ride my shortboard one day and needed to lock it in my car … but if I owned the Naish 9’6” I can’t see myself riding my shortboard all that much!

She’s a little weird to look at with that long, narrow, swallow tail and big boxy rails but boy, those Naish designers sure know what they are doing when it comes to performance. They’ve sure got a winner here. I want one.

DJ,
I was a bit of a sceptic cos like Casso said, it ain't the prettiest shape I have seen.
JB does have one and although I only got to ride it in 2 foot waves, I was equally impressed. It's the start of the future in my mind. I am 90kgs and add 3/4 wettie and its was still easier to ride than anything else I have ridden at that length with performance to boot. There is no in between in my mind. It's a 2 board SUP quiver for me, the 9'6" or a 9'3" and a glide. Get you order in fellas, these are going to be more popular than pies at the footy.
Regards,
Scotty

Hey Brooko..I just contacted JB for you.

John went through Portland late last night in foul weather.

It was just bad timing for him to stop off for you.

He's in Torquay now.. (Strapper)

DJ

Hi DJ ,

How have you been ?

Just had a paddle at Jan Juc with JB and Matt Lumley in smallish waves and we all scored some fun ones.......
The 9'6 quad has blown me away , has so much drive and is very stable for it's length this board is going to be very popular for crew wanting a board to go more vertical.
Yes im buying one , actually asked JB to leave the demo here but take it out tomorrow at Sandringham .
Your going to love the 11'4 , and the new V-blade carbon paddle !!

Rich

I have never seen or been on one but mine is on its way



yipee

Hi Peter d,

Board only is $1849 (includes grip and board bag) but if you live on the Gold coast come see me and i will look after you.
PM me if you want to know more.

Cheers
Paul J
R I

Also meant to say jb as far as i know, and i have surfed there before if your looking for swell , you may need to go to gunnamatta.

Yeah im hearing you jb, only been here 6 months from sunny margaret river good waves down this way though Will try and source a 9 6" this week to buy !

Oliver, sorry about the weight call. I was only going off DJ saying that you were heavier than me! Anyway Brook, you will not find it too hard if you have good balance.

JB

I think i have pretty good balance if not i will learn quick actually jb wondering if any of those dealers would give me a better deal for 2. MY freind also wants a 9 6" , i spoke to him today and he said where ever i get my from he will get his also, so any one out there want to look after us ?

cheers for that champ .... will give them a call

You are in for a treat....
I am jealous....

cmon someone do a comparison allready with the 9 8" 7s i wanna put in my order for either

Still waiting for mine! com on Star Track hurry up!
Hopefully tomorrow.

I have one for demo and some in stock so any one on the Sunny Coast please feel free to come in and take her out for paddle.

You will be looked after

Regards

Luke

Ohhhh ... nice ... so jealous!