Are Amundson boards any good?

plee10 said...


Hi I'm looking for opinions or reviews on what the SUP community think of Amundson boards. I have been doing some research on them, I'm thinking of getting the 11.3 as I believe that will support my weight and give me stability. But though I have been told to stay away from this brand as they may not be so good in the surf. I have also been told that they may nose dive. The reason why I'm thinking of getting one is because they seem a lot cheaper than other brands. But I'm not sure on the quality of them, I will be using the board in the surf, and maybe catch a few waves, but I would also like to use it for the river too, so if anyone knows something or anything about these boards to say that they are or not so good that would be great thanks Pat



Thanks for the kind words Piros, I'll give you the $10 in person or post it ? :)


Hi Pat,

I'll keep it simple with Amundson as I'm not sure who told you they may not work in the surf (I'm assuming someone who's never actually used an Amundson or pushes another brand for whatever reason)....

1. Quality is on par with all the major labels, Amundson has always, and is made in the same factory under the same quality & production guidelines.

2. They are cheaper only in price, and that is slightly cheaper - simply because we don't have the marketing power of the major brands. Therefore the same price can't be demanded for the name but can be for quality & performance.

3. The range is tight with a few key shapes - we like to keep it that way & keep the brand relatively exclusive. I'm yet to have a customer complain about an Amundson in 3yrs so that's what we hang our hats on.

4. As far as John 'Amundson' himself - has been shaping boards on the North Shore for over 20yrs (he finished all my Bushmans etc for over a decade), I got John into kiting over a decade ago & he quickly became one of the best in Hawaii ....basically he is a guy who can do all very well (short board, longboard, kite, windsurf, sup), a highly talented shaper with a lifetime of experience so someone who can add cred' from the land & water.
Anyone who has seen his talent in person or youtube clips won't argue.


In regards to what board you want - would be good to know your weight first ?
Any board will nose dive, that comes down to ability so I'm not sure what level you are at in the water ?
The 11'3" is a great all rounder - has great buoyancy & stability in the flat water, and with it's tapered in rails/dimensions makes it a very easy board to throw around in the surf, definitely doesn't feel 11'3" in the waves.

Get back to me on your weight & ability first, I'll then try to steer you in the right direction from there.


Cheers
Rob

plee10 said...
Thanks Rob, I weight about 100kg's and I'am very new to stand up paddle boarding, I have done a lot of bodyboarding and I'am familiar with the water and currents etc but SUP is completely new.

Thanks Pat

SupRookie said...
I've got the 12' 6" and its has its good points and bad.

Its really stable and fantastic in the chop.

But ..

Its heavy and a bit slow - also it doesn't catch small waves as well I would have expected

SupRookie said...


I have the 2011 AST - I have no idea how the newer models handle. I would expect the carbon models to be considerably lighter