Want a Whopper but am unsure which I should get. Tried the EVA. Great board, but really heavy to carry to beach!. Is classic a lot lighter? DOes anyone know the weights of the classic and the EVA and ? supertech.
Is the grip on the classic really good enough for surfing?

Can one glue deck pad on classic or would you have to sand the grip off first?

Any comments much appreciated.

Thanks
Louis

Hi LouD,

I got my wife the 9'8 classic, it's super light to the 9'8 element camo. I can only guess that the classic whopper would be dramatically ligter than any other model in that same board mate.

They are awesome for grip, I was very skeptical but it is fine in the surf. Only down side is that when needing to paddle on your knees you will take skin of your knees and top of the two outside toes.

I'm also curious to know if a deck pad will stick to the surface of a classic as I'm thinking of getting the wife a malibu grip, as she like's getting on her knees sometimes

LouD the classic has such an alive feeling under your feet. I would seriously suggest considering that option mate if you want a light board, but 34 inches wide is rediculous dude. No one should need a SUP over 30 inch.

I have a whopper in sport tech, 1st the quality of the finish is immaculate, I was a bit suprised at how heavy it is for what is a premium construction. It is a pinch heavier than my Naish 11'4". That said, once it is in the water it is awesome in fact the thinner rails and tail and lack of any corkyness means it rides really nicely. I understand the previous comment about not needing to be over 30" and was sceptical myself until I rode it. Yesterday was head high waves, cross off wind with the occasional 30++knot bullet and side chop. Very tough conditions for any SUP, I would not have even considered it on a Naish 9'6" or any other performance board. The Whopper just ate it up! It climbs walls of white water like no other board. Another guy was on an Oxbow 11ft and was on his knees mostly because of the wind and chop. It has really good surf rocker and you can make very late drops even when being held up by the wind, it turns really well and was very responsive down the line or turning in the pocket. In a word "FUN", if you are sceptical about the width you should try it before commenting, no doubt purists will say too wide but this board is going to open the performance side of SUP to a whole range of people who would never have ever got off an 11ft+er. It is also an excellent entry for a good surfer starting on their 1st SUP.

Highs
Can make very late drops with lots of nose rocker
Responsive fast turning on the wave
Super Stability and awesome for climbing white water
turns on a dime when lining up your next wave
Perfect short board for 95kg+ surfers
A nice compromise between fast down the line and good smooth turning in the pocket



Lows
Does not have a lot of glide but adequate when riding waves is your aim.
A bit heavy for such a pricey board - sport tech
I probably would not be wanting 34" threatning to clobber me in a barrel.
Deck Grip is a bit slippery compared to my Naish but this may improve once it wears a little.

From the dimensions you stated you must be riding the same board as me currently...The Jimmies have some v in the bottom and pretty soft rails. That's why you probably feel abit tippy. I weight the same as you and will be going down to 10'3 maybe or below 10ft soon.

Can I suggest you try the 10'5 starboard and compare it to the whopper. I help with tours and have the oportunity to ride most the starboard range including the whopper. Width is the first thing people think of when talking about stability, but there are other characteristics that improve a boards stability.

Scotty Mac said...

Isnt it;


2 beef patties, special sauce, lettice, pickled onion on a sesame seed bun???









Had to say it before some on else did......

You forgot the cheese

Scotty Mac said...

Isnt it;


2 beef patties, special sauce, lettice, pickled onion on a sesame seed bun???









Had to say it before some on else did......

I thought that was a Big Mac..........