the RRP on these though is pretty high isnt it DJ, there is no doubt that its a pretty board and last years model performed really well, but, wow the price increase this year is steep.
NSP still sell cheaper boards (I think) but their new moto is "From your first board to first place" .. These boards are serious race boards for winning races on.. Both very light and very strong.. That comes at a price... Not sure that I like the pubic hair look myself..
DJ
back off topic.
hey ,you can get winter crocs with fur on the inside ,which negates the need for socks.i got a pair....they are awesome!
Thanks for that great review. I reckon I might stick with the Fanatic 14 either the new one or keep my one (its only 9 months old as it is )
Come, check out and demo Sandy Beach HQ's new blue carbon 12'6 NSP DC raceboard!
Just came in from my first session of many on it,
I think i have found my new love!
Come down any day between 9-3 ask for Mike or James and we will get you out on the water with this beauty
Just to add to the review above - I tried out the DC14 for a few hours today.
This is my first go on any 14 footer and I wasn't sure what to expect. I know it's more a downwinding/touring board but I thought it would be cool to try it out surfing the little waves in the river. It was low tide with waves about 1 foot, peaking out wide but only breaking when they drained out in 6" of water and ran really fast across the bank - so an interesting test, but maybe not a fair one.
Like Stu's comment, when I first jumped to my feet it did feel a little tippy, but only to a point. It's actually pretty hard to tip this thing to the point of no return and I'd have to say it felt really comfy after a 5 minutes or so.
Turning and catching waves was a breeze. The centre strap handle was a bit disconcerting when switching to surf stance, so I tended to stand just aft of it and avoid getting tangled up with it. This didn't seem to noticeably affect the trim or ease of catching waves.
On the unbroken wave the board was very well behaved, kept the speed, didn't catch rails, etc.
Racing the little barrels across the sandbank was great fun, but sometimes I just couldn't find a sweet spot to get the acceleration I was after. Reflecting on this now, I think this was because the back of the board was way back in the foam and getting bogged down without me realising.
At no time did the board slip out or become squirrelly - nice rail/fin/tail combo.
The board had a great durable finish and I thought it looked pretty cool.
Although I didn't like the centre handle whilst actually riding the board - the handles were great otherwise, especially putting the board on the roof racks and generally moving it around easily.
I had a ball with the board - and so it gets the thumbs up from me too.
This year, IMHO more than any other year in the last 4 years, board design has just taken quantum leaps forward. My most notables so far are these DC boards, the new Naish range, specifically the Manas for surfing. The Fanatics (I will always love my 9'2" Allwave as it saved what little is left of my questionable sanity)with their constant development and lastly the the emergence of the JPs. I could watch their team riders all day. There is now seriously no point for an older guy like me to go back to practise my prone surfing as at my age, anything that I'm capable of doing is possible on a SUP. Well done to the industry in general for listening to its client base. That's why so many people are taking up the sport in one of it's many forms. I find it really interesting and very exciting. Apologies to the manufacturers I've not mentioned.
PS somebody should look at importing or making Simmons style SUPs in Australia. The L41 web site and the video gallery is amazing. They look like they'd be perfect Indo barrel boards because of the speed it appears they can generate.