Dropped in at DC's factory on way home tonight just in time to sneak a few piccies of Dale and LL adding some finishing touches to his brand new stick...kinda hoping it's too small for LL but don't like my chances...it does look good tho
I pretty much like everything about that board!
Looks like it could be pretty wide in the tail though, is that info you can share?
Yep, the pics did make its bum look bigger (and wider). Took em on the phone so no zoom. Actually thought it had a real sharp tail, but seems thicker in closeups too.
We got some waves up here this morning, so guess report will be on the way...
first impressions
well, i was nervous, haven't done a lot of sup surfing lately- once a week. not many waves and seem to be spending a lot of time on the dw boards and i knew a fair few of the local crew would be there. i usually feel a bit unco for a bit when i do get out on my 8'9 psh. reminder to self- if you are going to ride shorter boards you need to surf um a bit more.
clean ish conditions with 2 to 3' plus with the incoming tide and a north wind killing it off in a hour and a bit- ie junk at the end
jumped on the board with sunny side fins and a shapers s9 5.25"centre fin, ten strokes later, turned around and went back to the car- that's not going to work, too wobbly. throw in my psh 6.5" narrow based fin. it's better , but having a bit of trouble working it out. as i said, probably would be in a bit of trouble on the psh too . i get my first wave, one word -electric.
catch a few more and come in. i ring scotty up from greenline for another fin. suggests i go to shapers and pick some up for him and while i'm at it try them- thanks for that
i'm looking for a bit more stability, so i throw in a shaper's big ish db 6.5". more stable, but the surfing part has suffered a bit
next, put in a shaper 6" performance wide base fin. works ok and surfs good
now the board. every body talks about how a sup feels like a shortboard. what i've got to say is you have to surf this one like shortboard. most sups, you sort of still turn from the back and when you get on your shortboard again, that doesn't work and you have to readjust turning from the mid rail through to the tail. this board likes to be surf like that- through the mid rail to to the tail otherwise you can get left behind. it's the only way i can describe it. also with the speed of turn, it's hard to keep up with the paddle
do i like the board- hell yeah. haven't surfed anything like it.
i've got to work on the handling(as per usual with any new board) and my technique is going to have to change to i would say a more shortboard style.
another thing is, most thruster fin setups on sup are bunched up and rather forward ish to allow for tail end turns. with this board wonting to go through the rail, i'm going to slide the back fin closer to the tail- 10mm for starters
a few points
i think this shape and rail would work well on bigger boards up to 9' and a bit
i'll get better at handling it- today was a good test in pretty bad conditions in the end
it surfs insane- i need to catch up to it
really would like to see how it goes backhand
loves a bit of shape in the wave- don't bother if you just like poking around- definately a hi performance board
hanging to get into some beachies and gmount on the board
cheers
Sounds like it might be all too much trouble, Lacey. I reckon you should just get rid of it. I'll gladly take it off your hands for you.
BTW - why isn't it blue like I asked?