Hi all

Long time lurker first time poster.

I'm currently riding a Nalu 11'4 and loving it on flat water. In the surf it gets a little bit boaty (think HMAS Melbourne) when trying to turn it. This is probably due to bad position as much as anything but I find to really dig the tail in I lose too much speed and end up off the wave.

Anyway I'm in the market for a new surf oriented board (keeping the Nalu for flat water and small days) and am looking to demo a Naish Hokua but not sure whether to try the 9'5 or the 9'10.

My wife is currently riding a Surftech Al Merrick 9'1 and I've had a go on it but find it a little unstable for my size (86-90Kgs). I'd get there after a few sessions but its probably only going to be a "glass" board. I've tried the Al Merrick 10'1 and found it nice and stable. Just didn't have much success with it in the surf.

Anyway the Hokua looks the goods but the 9'5 is only 5 litres more than the AM 9'1 so a little unsure whether this will be stable enough.

So after all the rambling I guess what I'm really looking for is advice on where I could demo both the 9'5 and the 9'10 Hokua (in Melbourne) so I can get a good feel for them both. Would probably test on flat water first to decide which one suits best and then try that one in the surf.

Also after information regarding build quality between the Surftech Al Merricks and the Naish boards. My Nalu seems to be more robust than my wife's AM so interested in any information on this as well. Also open to looking at other boards with the caveat that I'm looking for something thats pretty thin in the tail (like the Hokua). I've looked at the Fanatic All Wave but find it way to chunky for me.

Sorry for the long first post.

Thanks big guy "(king of the gods right?)


Appreciate the response. I am leaning more towards the 9'10 for the stability but really just want to try them out to see how I go.

Just looking for a place in Melbourne that has both on demo so I can try before I buy.

Me too say nicely balanced board/fun to ride/very dependable in critical wave sections.......good build quality also

Hi,

RPS has a 9'5" Hokua demo that you're welcome to try anytime.

Call the store first to check it's availability.

Ok so two weeks ago I went to RPS and demoed the Hokua 9'5. Was a very flat day so we just tried it out in the bay. Went really well but just felt it was a little unstable for the level I am currently at.

Anyway I went back to the store and placed an order for the 9'10.

Picked up the board last Saturday and took it down to Gunnamatta on Sunday for a fantastic session (2ft - Nice clean easy waves. A bit unusual for Gunnamatta).

Found I was still a little unstable (not surprising as it's so much smaller than the 11'4 Nalu) but as the day progressed things got better. On the wave however it was a different story... This board is awesome!!! Turns easily, gets in nice and tight, has good drive and speed. I was able to make sections I couldn't do on the Nalu with very little effort.

All in all I'm loving it. Hoping for something to play in again this weekend.

Big thanks to the guys at RPS for looking after me so well.