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Hi All,
I'm back on this forum after sometime and again I'd like to have your insights regarding the two boards in subject.
I own a SB Pro 9x30 2021 (starlite) since 9 months and used it alot in several different conditions (including on flat water but mostly in waves).
I like how it performs but now I'm asking myself how it would be to have a different board (different design) with less volume.
I'm interested to improve my speed and turns, especially on my back hand (BTW I'm regular, 178cm and with a weight between 75 and 80kg depending on seasons). Also I wouldn't mind a board that help me catching waves easier using less efforts.
I've contacted Sunova support and explained my situation. They suggested a Sunova Creek 8'10 or 8'7 among all the boards they sell.
I was thinking about the 8'10 because it has a volume of around 125 Liters vs. the 157 liters of my SB pro.
However I don't really have a chance to try one of these Sunova boards since they are very rarely seen in my region (South of Spain) and there are no sellers dealing with it that have something in stock.
Therefore here I am asking your help to understand if Sunova suggestion was good?
In particular I'm interested to understand:
1) if you tried both boards (the SB pro and the Creek) and can comment on which one is better for you and why?
2) How stable is the Creek 8'10? The SB pro floats well but I wouldn't say is very stable compared to other SB boards.
3) If you didn't try the SB pro but another similar board and also the Creek then I'm also interested in your opinion
It would be awesome to get some insights from Creek about all my questions due to his experience with Sunova...
Looking forward to read your replies guys!!!
Thanks
Interesting they suggested the creek...
As per a previous post I made...
I swapped with a mate who has the 9'0 SB Pro. I have the new casey V2 8'8 flow, which is 126lt v 154lt for the SB, and Im 96 kegs.
Impressions were the SB had slightly better glide onto a wave than the flow. Both catch plenty of waves... I didnt feel it was any more stable and in fact wonder if the 154lt makes it a bit corky??? Having said that both are plenty comfortable paddling back out and waiting in the line up.
The main difference between the boards, we both agreed on this, is that the flow was much better on a wave. The rails really dig in and it turns on a dime. The SB does have fairly thick rails understandably with 154lt.
At your weight I would definitely look at the flow 8'8 (or smaller).
I also had a 9'1 creek that I replaced with the flow. The creek was an awesome board but the flow is even more awesommerrrr
Hi DaniNewbie. I'm around your weight & height. But haven't tried the SB Pro.
I have two Sunovas. The Soul which is 110 litres x 8ft 3" x 29" wide. It has the round tail. I have had this board for over 5 years & still love it. It gets onto waves easy, glides really well and even more as I put my weight forward when the wave loses its wall & wash. It turns quite well with its original Sunova fins which has the centre fin one size smaller than the sides.
It's great on small & overhead waves without that bouncy corkiness.
I absolutely love the board. That's why I didn't sell it.
I cannot understand why Sunova stopped selling the Soul? But maybe they have one similar in dimensions with a different name.
And about 2 years ago I wanted a slightly bigger board that would give me a bit better stability & speed for those big days for when I would need to out run a closing wave as well as balance a bit better in chop. So I bought the Creeek 8ft 10"
The difference between these two boards is my body position when I want speed & glide. The Creeek needs you to stand more towards the tail & does slow down more as the power of the wave reduces. Even when you step forward to try & get a bit more glide. But this is only very minor.
Both the Soul & the Creeek need the back foot on the tailpad for those sharp turns if you want to shred more. But I am more of a carver with my back foot more forward of the tailpad. And both boards still turn ok for me for bottom turns & cutbacks. Both boards have little corkiness which I think is critical in big choppy surf. Unlike my JP Widebody which is wider at 32" with more volume at 124 litres. which had me thrown off in chop. But I'm quite sure the JP Pro boards don't do this. The Widebody is more for smaller beachy waves anyway.
The Creeek also paddles onto waves quite easily.
But if you are more into shredding waves with high powered sharp turns. Then definitely the other boards of Sunova as they recommend for that.
I cannot fault the Sunova boards in their recommended performance. Bert Burger has it nailed.
As for build. Mine are still great in the XXX material. And none have suffered that osmosis surface when leaving them damp in the board bag unlike some painted boards.
The only problem I found is that the Creeek board deck pad can smell if left damp in the bag. Which I haven't noticed with my earlier purchased Soul. So not sure if the material has changed. But that is a very minor issue as I think all boards should be dry soon after use anyway.
Good luck.
Go 4 a holday to thailand and sample the whares ! Or go to the Maldives with the sunova crew
Never been on the SB but owned a Creek for many years. It is not a stable board but has stability features built-in that make it more stable than other performance-type boards. I think what is most important for you to consider is the term "corky" Seajuice mentioned. Corky means your board is on top of the water. Your board will bounce like a cork. As you improve both your paddling and surfing this becomes a disadvantage because it is much more difficult to bury your rail and create a good turn. This takes you to a board like the Creek or Flow for that matter. When litered properly for your size, the rail line will sit under the water. Your foot will get wet even in flat water. This does not mean you are below the water or on a low litered board. The shape, whether stepper rails or lowered rails creates. Ultimately, the water on top of the rails actually makes you more stable. As a bonus, the board will surf much better. This is an adjustment and takes a little time to get used to. Hence, why I think Sunova recommended the Creek. wide tail, thick in the standing area but heavily rockered. It is a good board to make the move from Corky boards to performance boards.
Around the time I bought the Creek I was also looking at the James Casey Flash. It is more performance orientated & probably good for those late steep drops, sharp turns, carves etc. But I was also curious about the Creek because of its mix in designs like the Speeed tail which I have found does pick up speed well when the back foot is over the tail in waves with a bit of power usually around shoulder to head high.
I believe the Flash would have been easier for me to work on my performance turns without physically pushing hard to force the board and also having to move my feet more to the tail & rails like I have to on the Creek.
But at the time my mind was in both fields. Either a board for bigger waves with choppy surface which can be the case just after stormy weather.
Or a board to improve my performance more.
I ended up buying the Creek because I found it in a surf shop at a good price.
But I would still like the Flash as well. The 8ft 6" at 112 litres. Love that outline shape which is similar to my Soul.
My comfortable board is around 110 litres by 29" wide. Any smaller the struggle for stability increases when standing motionlesss waiting for waves.
My favourite local surf can be choppy with side on winds & swell.
My most comfortable board standing in choppy conditions is my JP wide body which has a flat deck as well. But it has slow speed due to its width.
Well I just checked the dimensions of the Kanga & found it very close to my Sunova Soul which I love!
The options of thruster or quad is a bonus.
THE FLOW is a great board ,nice sharp turning board and great speed ,rails can really make it ride higher on the wave ,
8'8 is a great size for my 97 kgs ,I don't think i could ride smaller ,
The creek 8,10 is more stable for sure ,it has great glide on a wave ,I found it harder to do very sharp turns like the flow
but all and all the creek is a ok board ,it does catch waves very easy .
Hi again,
There is a second hand Sunova Soul 8'6'' 121L (XXX construction) for sale in a local listing and for a good price.
I was wondering how this compares to the Creek 8'10'' in term of stability and maneuverability?
Would appreciate if Mr. Creek and the other owners of a Soul could spend some words about this.
Thanks All!
Hi Dani
I am sorry that I missed this when posted... several days of waves and car repair kept me busy.
The Soul is a very good board and quite stable.
I would say that it may be similar stability to the 8'10 Creek, although that is just an educated guess.
I have had an 8'11 and 9'5 Soul to compare with an 8'10 and 9'1 Creek
The Soul is more stable at same size, and may be close enough at 4" shorter but similar width because I always found the Soul to be inherently stable and easy to surf.
Where as I always recommend a bigger Creek then the numbers might say.... the Soul can be ridden at a lower weight to volume ratio and work just fine.
