Review - Clearwater Whalebone 9'3"

A Quick review of the Clearwater Whalebone 9'3" x 23 x 3 by Steve Del Rosso
With a new ratbag in the house the surf opportunities are pretty slim at the moment but have managed 2 surfs on the new beast and gotta say, i'm super impressed.

First thing i'll say is that SDR really listened to what I was wanting from this board in terms of performance, ticks every box I asked him to... That doesn't apply to the tint so much but i'm still happy enough and glass job is awesome soooo.
First surf was Lauderdale point in what were initially pretty average conditions and not the conditions that i'd had the board shaped for... but she was new and Teacake (TK) had stolen the Hot Log so she got her first run. First wave was a beauty, about shoulder high, paddled in nicely and away she went, fast down the line, really nice smooth turn, a little walk up the front (not quite to the nose) and then a fell off but paddled out pretty stoked… I then managed to kook it a bunch of times and did find it a little tricky to find the sweet spot for paddling into waves… As it was small switched with TK and jumped back on the HL which was better suited to the waves, probably for both parties as the 10’er was a bit overkill for TK. TK looked like he was pretty much ripping on it but i’ll let him share his thoughts on the board as the swell really kicked and we surfed till dark, was an awesome session in the end…

Second surf was Carlton River mouth, this was the type of wave i’d had this shaped for, the left is super fast and super fun and whilst the log goes pretty well here it lacks the speed to make some of the critical sections. The waves looked ok but once out it was pretty marginal… … fortunately though about an hour she started to pulse and ended up overhead so I was able to put the board to the test, and let me tell you, I just couldn't be happier with it.

Here's a few points i’ll make:
She’s fast, real fast down the line and accelerating, made a bunch of sections i just wouldn't have normally made and was even able to get out front and cut back.
Turns beautifully, surprisingly tight and holds a nice smooth line.
Noserides, yes, that's right… and i’m a pretty average Noserider and really didn't believe that a 9”3’ would allow my 85kg’s to get up there but managed a bunch of sneaky 5’s… was super stoked with that.
Paddles awesome, not as good as the log. Probably paddles faster but lacks the glide of the 10’er, as you’d expect.
The takeoff, allowed me to take off much deeper/steeper/later than the log. Once I had the sweet spot dialled in paddling in was really easy, and that was on my backhand so i’m wrapped with that.

Gotta say i’m really stoked with this board and it fits perfectly into my quiver, and yes, i’d say thats quiver complete for me i really can't see any holes that can't be filled in waves I surf. When it comes to it, I think for me the HL will still be my go to board, I just love the glide of the 10’er of being forced into big smooth turns by the, the stability and that old school style but when the waves get faster and steeper this is the perfect board to compliment.

Lastly, surfed it with the Thomas Bexton by Alkali fin which seemed to partner up beautifully but will switch it up with the Alkali rake and report back. I love the way the rake gives you these bigger drawn out turns and really drives hard out of them plus should add some extra hold on the nose. The test will be if it compromises speed, and if it does i’ll switch it back.

Thanks for reading and happy surfing
Apologies for the crappy phone pics btw

Great review, sounds like you've nailed it in rounding your quiver out.

Look forward to hearing if you lose any Speed with that swept back Flexi, I'm looking at chucking one into my Involvement. Nothing like a new board other than a new daughter. Congratulations!

i enjoyed that,thanks andy

Maaaate that's beautiful ?? A new board just doesn't stack up to a new born- congratulations

Good review and pics mate. Great pic of Bub.

Congratulations on the board and the Bub Andy, now you will be spending a bit more time at home instead of the river you might might to put in some time fixing up the lawn mate

Thanks all for the positives Vibes, pretty lucky to have a completed quiver... ... ... I mean two beautiful healthy girls to keep me on my toes

@mick, that thing looks awesome and would be siiick on the wave you surf a bit, keen for some more Soloshot vids from ya... Bloody Teacake's stolen mine (still waiting on that edit btw ) but I did score and pre-order a SS3 at 60% off so looking forward to getting that.

@riverrider go back to your SUP threads mate and stop knocking my lawn but yeah, its pretty sh1t but I just cant justify the water you need to keep it green

Update...

Surfed Carlton River yesterday arvo and was smoking!!! Bigger then last surf, was head high and a few really solid well overhead sets....

The board went amazing, was really stoked again with how she went buuuuut... The rake fin and this board just did not work. Was really surprised by just how different this fin performed, really chalk and cheese...

The positive, the rake turned beautifully, smooth and drawn out turns and this on my kook backhand but that's where it ends... The Thomas fin was MUCH better for speed, stability and hold for noseriding so I'll be switching back... Immediately...

I am tempted though to try the rake on the SubX, let you know how that one goes