Finally got some good waves on the 12er.
Not in the same league as Casso's, bit green really. The more I ride this thing the more I agree it is the most versatile board out there. Surfs well and you can do down winders on it with ease. Plus it is a good family board I can get both kids on with me at a pinch.
Surf wise I have had a range of waves up to head high max, windy and glassy. For its size the thing rips. Remember I am 105kg so I have serious ballast to swing this puppy around with.
Floaters are awesome, feels like you can surf as long as you want on top of the wave.
Cutbacks, once you work out how far you can put your foot back, are surprising snappy. In fact it is easy to turn too sharply making it impossible to get back around on a small wave. Even threw spray on a couple of turns in waist to chest high waves.
The board is really fast and holds a great barrel line even in small waves. It will not buck you off as most big boards do if the foam hits the board.
Best part is the speed it holds through a bottom turn. Even on small waves you carve a turn around a section with ease and then bank (its not really a snap or reo) off the lip and it feels good, not stiff like most big boards.
Rocker wise I think it would be hard to do better IMHO. Serious glide but loose on waves. Will know more if I get some bigger waves soon.
Down sides:
Snapped another paddle shaft (Nothing to do with the board).
They need after market fins to perform at their best (This is not unusual for a pop out though) I was using a 6" Futures centre and Shapers sides.
It is a big bitch on land, hard to handle in wind and has to go on top rather than in the car like my 10 6 did.
Quite a heavy board so once you build momentum in a turn it requires good technique and strength to bring it back on line. (Weight will be an advantage in big bumpy surf)
Makes my 9 6 feel tiny (wobble wobble) when (and if) I get back on it.
It will certainly stretch a few leggies in bigger waves as you get a yank even in smaller waves.
Overall it is a winner, keeping me off the 9 6 Ripper in all conditions so far.
.
I love these forecasts for my break, get to enjoy all my loves. might even spueeze in some family time and watch some footy
