I got the wife a 9 8 last year and I intended to use it occasionally in small clean waves. At 105kg I thought I would struggle on a sup that small. At the time I considered my 10 8 JL small.
Over time I realised the 9 8 floated me easily and was really fun in the surf even messy like this:
So I started taking it out in bigger surf where it's limitations became apparent. What makes it fun in small waves - wide tail straight rails - meant it was difficult to control at speed.
Saw the new 9 8 and stand up paddle sports were kind enough to lend me one.
As you can see the shape is heaps different. 09 on left.
Paddling forward it feels similar, but definitely less stable, to 08 board. May be a little more yaw due to the greater amount of curve in the outline.
It is chalk and cheese when you put the foot back to turn though, the tail sinks easily and it rips around. You need to move around more to get the best trim to catch waves but on the wave it responds much better than the 08 model.
Only caught small waves but the potential is there. It felt more surfboard like was easier to move from rail to rail but stalled easier on tiny waves. Starboard have definitely moved this board more towards a surf style board. Has a shortboard feel rather than a mal.
Hope to try this board in some better waves to really see if it is as good as it feels.
I recommend a demo.
Check the green inguana and bunyip dreaming to see this beast In all Its glory.
