After a few months on the 9'6 Naish .. i finally had the oppourtunity today at testing out the 8'10 model.... even though conditions were small, and bumby ... (not the greatest for a smaller sup) I actually found the board both challenging and rewarding! After a good 15 minutes of paddling, getting use to less stability than my 9'6.. i was ready to give it a go...

I found the board FANTASTIC! I found in some ways it was similar to my 9'6 - however way more responsive, faster, and also better surf wise.. I really enjoyed that it felt more like a shortboard than my 9'6 and once on the sweet spot - it was almost as stable.. i really would love to test this board out in some decent surf/ beachies.im really curious now to try some other sub 9'0 sup's,,, but maybe a little bit more width in the nose, and a swallow tail.. (more like a fish)... any opinions on what boards i should be looking at for my second board!!??

Hi StarletGC, I tried out my new Starboard 8'5 Pocket Rocket a couple of days ago - also coming from a 9'6 Naish. Conditions were awful! Beach break, rain squalls coming through and wind from about 10 to 25 knots, first impression was that incredibly it felt much more stable than the 9'6 Naish just standing on lumpy bumpy crap and also seemed to get over the whitewater more easily. Only got a few waves but it felt very skatey and super easy to change direction, didn't seem to be as critical to move back to get the thing to turn as the 9'6. Really can't tell at this stage because the waves were so lumpy and the wind was cross off.
Seems to take me about 5 or 6 sessions to really get to know a new board so I'll report back after that.

It's good fun trying small boards in the surf!

paul.j said...

Good work its is amazing how the board is still quite stable and guys in the 90kg bracket can still surf it. A quote from a good mate trevor hendy"best board i've eva riddin' and he's 90kg and he rings every day to say how stoked he is on it.

i'm going to get the 9'0 in for me i think as my windy day comp board so will be intersting to see how they compare but i still love my 8'0

ohhh.. how does the 8'0 go?? i havnt seen it out in the surf yet or many people on them!

paul.j said...

Its not realy a board for the masses at 8ft x 25 3/4 there is only myself and Marty on them at the moment. Good board for some one around 50 to 60kg a little harder for some one 60 to 70kg and just out right fun for me at 75kg.

Jacko

What do reckon at 105kg+ LOL

paddle in laying down and throw it around like a paddle pop stick hilly......lol..........haha

that or get towed in from a jet ski

had a go on my 9'3 sup with a 17m kite yesterday while the wind started to pickup

what a pig but felt great to jump on my surfboard with a 13m after that

Only kidding - you were the best naish rider out there for sure and its the most comfortable I have seen anybody on that model so far.