Coreban Edge 14

Hi Guys
The search for my perfect touring board came to an end last week when I purchased a Coreban Edge 14.

It was interesting going around the different retailers and checking out all the latest offerings, as a whole it was a very positive experience. When I first started looking I thought that it would be a very difficult decision to choose between one board or another but in the end it became very clear.

If you are looking at the reputable brands I think it's fair to say there are not any “bad” boards out there. Much like cars each one will specialise in certain areas and for this reason I think I have found the importance of demoing before you buy. The marketing hype and online reviews might be fantastic but at the end of the day the right board is going to be very specific to you.

So how did I end up with the Coreban Edge?
To be honest it was initially on the outside of the boards I had shortlisted. There are some comments out there that only big guys should consider this board due to its massive 370L of volume. For me tipping the scales at 70kg this was a big concern.

My criteria were,
Fast flat water design but able to handle light to moderate chop.
Stable and comfortable to paddle
Lightweight mostly for ease of handling
Got to look good

As I looked into the other boards on my list they each started to get knocked out largely because of either the shape or the appearance of the board but I kept coming back to the Coreban as it just seemed right for me except for the volume question.

At the end I was left with a choice between the Coreban Edge and Starboard All Star or ACE probably in AST because I didn't like the look of brushed carbon. The only thing left to do was demo.

First off the rank was the Coreban. Weather conditions were glassy in the morning and building to about 15 knots with moderate chop by the end of the paddle. First impressions were “whoa this ain't my Naish Nalu”. The lack of primary stability from losing a couple of inches was unsettling at first but then I started to experiment by leaning on the rails. It was obvious then that it actually has a ton of stability. Maybe it's my light weight on a bigger board but I actually found not a big difference in stability between this and my Naish. It's a different type of stability but I didn't feel like I would fall off. I didn't feel too high off the water either which was part of my concern with the extra volume.

Next was a paddle down the coast for an hour or two in a slight ocean swell. The speed and acceleration of the Coreban is amazing. It was just so easy to get up to speed and maintain it. Watching the glassy morning water peel off the massive bow was awesome. I could see its roots at KND naval architects in the way it effortlessly glided through the water. I love my Naish Nalu but once I got serious about SUP I was frustrated at the inefficiency of trying to paddle and push over the bow wave under its nose so this was very important to me. The other thing I should mention is the tracking is phenomenal on this board. I had to change sides just to give my arms a break.

Stopped and had a bite to eat in a sheltered bay when I guy I met earlier paddled over for a chat. We ended up swapping boards as he was on a Starboard Ace 14 which I wanted to try and he was curious about the Coreban.

OK so now I am in dangerous territory because there are thousands of folk worshiping at the alter of Starboard but I didn't get the same feeling off the Starboard. Race results speak for themselves and this is undoubtedly a fast board in a wide range of conditions but it just lacked a little X factor of the Coreban. It was definitely easier to turn but other than that felt quite similar speed wise and picking up the small swell that came through. I think it's probably the aesthetics of the dugout and large blunt nose that I didn't like. It seemed a little utilitarian whereas the Coreban looks and feels beautiful.

Back on the Coreban and with the wind was building considerably as was the chop. Again the sharp nose was effective into the wind and slicing through the chop without losing speed, think Americas cup or Volvo Ocean race yachts where the nose pierces the wave and pops out the other side. Getting into the cross chop I found this most difficult with the wind wanting to push the large nose of the board meaning there was a considerable amount of time paddling on one side. I think if I will have one frustration with the board it would be this. The board remained stable and well behaved though and this was the last this worrying me about it. Maybe with better foot placement I can sort the nose out in strong cross winds.

The final things that clinched it for me are somewhat mundane. The flat soft pad didn't put my feet to sleep and the Coreban handle makes carrying it to the water a breeze. The board bag is amazing with handles exactly where you need them. The board is also beautifully presented and draws crowds when going to and from the beach.

By the time I brought the demo board back to the shop I had already made up my mind that this was the right board for me. When the shop rang back later and said “so you leant the board to XXXX today (the starboard owner) and now he wants to buy it too was a funny turn of events but I nice confirmation that the board is a good paddle.

Wow better wrap this up.
For fellow newbies out there I would say the biggest thing I have learnt is that these forums are great sources of information but get out and demo to form your own opinion.

Thanks to Dan at NZ Board Store for letting me borrow his own Edge 14 as a demo board. Check them out if you are in Auckland and need anything.

Specs on this model: