Got the last of that nice swell on the Sydney coast this morning out at Palmy, and also the chance to give the new Fanatic FLY 9'0" a whirl.

As mentioned earlier...

First impressions before riding,

- Great tail lines, looks much sweeter in person than on pic.
- Full rails forward.
- Looks bigger than 9', but layed it down along an 8'4" Naish, and it's surprising.
- Very light!
- Fin set up needs attention, but I always change my fins, that's my thing.
- Looks a little straight through the nose in rocker, but I'll wait til I ride first.

After riding,

Conditions - 8 - 10 knot SW, Slightly choppy. Average waves around shoulder height, sets close to head high, and 1 bomb set over (which I was lucky to have scored). And cold, Paddled out about 6:45am. Very fast waves, most closing out. Very hollow, low tide beach break. Best rides were about 20m max, 1 hit and floater.

- First thing I noticed is that the board is smaller than it looks. If I was to estimate the volume, I would say about 110 ltrs. I had water lapping over about 75% of the deck. Weighed myself before session @ 95kg.
- Very comfortable to paddle. I found it easy punch out through whitewater and breaking waves. Paddles fast. VERY stable for a low volume board.
- First wave, this board is fast! Caught the wave early and with ease. Minimal yawing considering the size and volume. Great drive and fast on the face.
- First hits, this board is surprisingly loose. I found on my back hand she was snapping tight and powered, great recovery too. Forehand, I did manage to air the tail out on a big hit, however this may have also been due to a poor fin setup. Carves and Cutties were really sweet.
- The rocker, especially the nose. I was sus on the low nose rocker. But the waves were very hollow this morning and I had no issues at all. I floated some very hollow closeouts with no nose dives at all. It was easy to push the nose under while paddling for waves, but the board is fast I think I am used to paddling really far forward from the 8'4", and got more comfortable with a better stance towards the end.
- Deck grip is awesome, very grippy but not uncomfortable.
- The feel, I was expecting a more fishy/cruisy feel on this board. Like the 9'6" Naish or a semi shortboard SUP, but it was totally different. This board is light under your feet and responds fast to foot trimming. I think that sweet tail and lines have this baby styling as a performance shortboard. Same great feel the 8'4" gives me, and I think the low weight compensates for the extra length and width. The FLY feels lighter than the 8'4" (haven't weighed then though!).

All up I had an awesome session this morning in pretty crap conditions.

Pros - Fast, Loose, Easy, Light, Progressive, Good Grip

Cons - Poor stocko Fins, Even though I had absolutely no issue with the rocker it looks like it needs a touch more in the nose (I think it's in my mind and wouldn't change it for fear of effecting the ride)

I can't wait to get another session on it with good fins, anyone use futures? I only have FCS. I want to try some large trusters in the front, and I'll run my US box G1000 or M5 in the tail.

No pics unfortunately, but the misses is coming paddling tomorrow with me, so maybe get some then.

All up a high performance easy to ride board for advanced or light riders.

JB