Smik Hipster vs Smik Bonza - input sought

Hi all - I'm looking for a shorter sup to add to the quiver. I want something more nimble for small beachies down the surf coast, and capable of still catching sometimes fat and shifty waves around the Torquay to Anglesea areas.
I've paddled an 8.6 Hipster and didn't like it (didn't surf it) I think due to the low volume tail which I don't think suits my longboard backfoot style. I have also paddled and surfed a Lord Bonza 10x28 which was absolutely brilliant albeit too tippy for me, and can't afford a new 10x30 Lord Bonza unfortunately or that'd be the one board quiver.
So - can someone give me real world experience of the difference between a bigger Hipster (8'10) versus a bigger Bonza, say even the 9.5. Would the Bonza be a more user friendly and comfortable board for an ex longboarder.
Looking to surf all sorts of conditions from knee to shoulder high.

As soon as my custom one arrives I will let you know?

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drivethebus said..
Hi Dave, I have been following your post re your new Smik, cannot wait to see the results.

Stephen.

It's going to be awhile I think progress is slower than I expected, it will be worth the wait I'm sure.

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billboard said..
There's a 9.5 Bonza for sale locally but it's a lot of money to outlay if it's not right for me. I guess I'm looking for a longboarders shortboard, if that makes any sense.

You should try 8'-something boards having the outline and rocker of a longboard.

Gong makes for instance the NFA 8' and Zero 8'5" that are insanely fun: of course they do not noseride like a 10", but the glide feel combined with the looseness of the reduced length is addictive. This is not an ad for Gong, which does not ship outside of Europe, I am just saying that you can look at their dims on the Gong site to have an idea. Some brands available in OZ actually make short longboards, e.g. Jimmy Lewis Destroyer, and I guess most could make a custom one for you.

Note that the feeling is different from "Tomo" shapes that ride more like a fish than a longboard, due to their rocker, and this may be the case of the Hipster, but I never tried it.

I even had 10 years ago a 6'9" 117L "longboard SUP", complete with 50/50 rails, scooped out nose concave, ultra flat front rocker, an outline similar to a Takayama Scorpion...
(more pics in imgur.com/a/DWrQS )


And when I was prone surfing, I had my shaper make me a longboard shape, but in 7'2". One of my favorite board.

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Hicksy 63 said..
Hi billboard. I have both boards here side by side. The Bonza has more rocker than the hipster. Your welcome to check them out if you wish

Hi mate, any chance you could post a few images showing the rocker, especially the nose?

Thanks.
Steve.

There you go drive the bus

I knew you'd ask about the thrusters.
The board is amazing with either fin arrangement. The only reason I'm not using the supplied fins is it's awkward to strap it on the Ute racks with the 5 fins.

I have no experience with the Bonza but I'm in the market for an 8'6 hipster twin if your keen to sell?
i live in ocean grove.
cheers Matt

I have 8' hipster + 8'8"(?) bonza
Hipster is MUCH more loose
Bonza is more stable ( it , and an 8'7" placid are what i use when it is bumpy/windy)



I imagine an 8'10" hipster ( and bigger Bonza) - its "low volume tail" would not be so low volume at that size ??

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moogengronko said..
I have 8' hipster + 8'8"(?) bonza
Hipster is MUCH more loose
Bonza is more stable ( it , and an 8'7" placid are what i use when it is bumpy/windy)



I imagine an 8'10" hipster ( and bigger Bonza) - its "low volume tail" would not be so low volume at that size ??

I agree with you. I've owned an 8'8 bonzer and an 8'8 Hipster mini Longboard. The hipster is way looser. I far prefer it coming from a longboarder background, but to each their own. A mate has an 8'10 standard hipster which is too big for my preference but he loves it and his surfing has definitely gone up a notch. I'm not knocking the bonzas ...if you go like for like size then the hipster turns faster and easier whilst the bonzas will have greater stability.

With the twin you need to stand a lot more forward for paddling out and around. You front foot toes will be touching the edge of the carpet. This is where the volume is and its a very stable board. Then once going on the wave you move back to use the loose tail. I love the twin and mine is one of the first ones. It's still going strong.
So don't write off a twin until you've stepped forward. Mines the 7'10 I'm 80kg and I use it for everything. Flat water cruising to over head waves

For what it's worth I have ridden a hipster twin and own a bonza they are completely different beasts. Hipster is a more modern up down surf board, if you don't surf this way or have to ride one that is too large to surf like this then you are wasting the board. The bonza does a couple of things, it's great at getting you out of trouble, the acceleration off the bottom is crazy, I've survived picking the wrong one at fairly sizey Yallingup. It also cuts back super well, if you over shoot you can still do a full cutback on the shoulder nice arc with a squirt at the end. It also will pick up speed in smaller waves but not as easy as a hipster I think. Other comment is that the volume is fairly even both side to side and front to back so I've found it above average stability for size. That said for bigger guys dropping down board size in average waves the most underrated board is a SMIK Short Mac. Go look em up, can still get customs , talk to Scotty he may even tweak them to make them better!!
Lastly using 3 "normal fins" in a bonza just tones down the acceleration a bit, in some waves the squirt of the bottom can be a bit much!