OMG.......

OMG.....

OMG... OMG....OMG..OMG..OMG.OMG.OMG.OMG.

and I'm spent!

Woke up sick this morning, taking the day off work. So the first thing I needed to do was go for a surf. I believe that the ocean can heal anything!

The waves were kind of small but the occasional shoulder high coming through. Quite bumpy, and a little windy, but I finally got to get some decent rides on the 8'10" Hokua from Naish and OMG! I think I had some of the best waves I have had in a long time. This board is a demon, I can't believe how tight and powerful you can turn this thing. It is the first time running the M7's as the thruster's, and I'm still running the stocko trailer, and the first few waves I thought I may have over finned it, A little stiff from what I remembered, then I noticed I was standing a little bit forward. Next wave I got on the tail pad and WOW! This board turns tighter than my 6'5" (performance Shortboard). Photo of my riding my 6'5" in the Maldives in June.

I had some of the best round house cutties I think I have ever done. Then on my back hand this board really shows it's ability to turn tight in the pocket, I was able to do true shortboard backhand snaps, not ugly SUP paddle stall half turns.
The conditions were a little trying, with back wash and chop every where, and I did fall in a few times, but then I paddles out on the 10' Mana and noticed the chop and bumps even on this, so it was pretty bumpy out there, making me feel better about falling in on the 8'10". Got some great waves on the 10' Mana also, this board is so versitile, once you get your back foot on the rail and drive it hard, it is pretty amazing how well this wide board turns.
Such an awesome session, but there was crew sitting out on longboards on peaks either side of me getting next to nothing, and I got heaps, the 8'10" Hokua is somthing else, excellent paddling speed, surprising stability (esp. concidering I'm 95kg) and IMO unmatched performance, Truly mind blowing.
Sorry to come on here and loose it, but I had to let someone know, I told the misses, and she said can we go get a DVD? WTF..... She doesn't understand what having a session like this feels like. I can't wait to get this board in decent surf.
Pics below. My quiver. Beauty and the beast.




JB

Very nice JB.. I don't know how you manage to balance it being your weight so my hat goes off to you..

DJ

i've been mucking around with fins and the best for me is sunnies.hard to fit. first the the fcs adp has to be set up with the screw forward , then push it all the way back sothe fin slides past the back of the fin box. the lug just catches the slot after the lug entry hole. for some reason naish boxs are a little different and it wouldn't tighten up, so i had to pack under the adp with a tiler's wedge. lastly its sloppy fitting so two layers of ding tape to pack it tight. a mission, but best stability and surfing. i have only be surfing it in slightly onshore afternoons. great vert surfing, same lines and angles as a s/board.the board's ability to do this wins me over hook, line and sinker. can't wait to get into some good glassy waves

sweet looking quiver DJ

JB keep it in your pants brother its a family orientated forum dude and by the way nice display of buckets in your pic

goatman get a banana up ya

lacey i have to packer out my 9'3 banana box fin as well

anyone know when does the mamouth 17' glide hit our shores

and when does the nula 9'0 hit as well

dogman

Nice shots!! The tail pad install looks sick on the 8'10"

Dave

That 8 10" looks awesome, will check one out soon

So Stoked!! The Board Rips, Got some sick waves on my first sesh on her thismorning on the Caloundra Bar. This board loves the sucky wally waves and is exactly what I have been looking for.

Thanks Naish you Rock!

Cheers

Luke

Got some great waves this morning. Finally a bit of size. The big thing I noticed in sizey waves was the speed. I found my self really washing off a lot of speed before going into cutties and snaps. The water was really bumpy this morning, and it definitely challenged me. But once I hooked up a few over head left's, it didn't mind the few times she bucked me off waiting out the back. This board really does just keep getting better and better! Definitely the bench mark for pure Shortboard SUP (well I imagine the 8'0" would be awesome, but I don't think I'll ever experience it).

JB