2013 Nobile Infinity Wave, 5’,7”
Rider: 75kgs, 180cm, intermediate
Style: Waves, Freeriding
Weather: 15 to 25 knots over the last few weeks (season is early). From 1ft Choppy mush, up to 4ft solid swell.
Build Quality: 10
Satisfaction: 10!
Disclosure: nil
Pros: Glides over chop, very soft comfortable ride, good flex, solid but lightweight, deck feels amazing under foot. Perfect in light wind or high powered conditions. Great up-wind ability. Perfect all rounder.
Cons: Lacks a little volume, probably not for someone after a dedicated wave board.
I’ve been riding twin tips in and out of the surf for the last 5 years, and have dabbled with a few directionals over the time. One of which was the North Rocketfish, which I have to say was pretty awful at everything. The main thing that bothered me with directionals was that they never felt like they were tracking very well, and also how they seemed to “bounce” off the chop, which for me was just plain uncomfortable in windier conditions.
I was a bit hesitant in buying a board “off the spec” (without demo), as usually I’d try to demo a board first. However, I put my faith in Nobile’s design and manufacturing and bought it anyway.
My first session with this board was in 20kts with 2-3ft choppy swell. I rode with the straps on, and the 3 fin thruster setup. I can’t jibe yet, so I was riding toeside out through the waves, and heelside back in.
The first tack I fell in love with this thing. It felt solid, quick, but flexed and handled the chop really well (even the stuff behind the sets, which is the worst). It’s also extremely resilient when hitting whitewash – like I could hit it from any angle and it just slices through. My old directionals would almost throw me off if I hit a wave the wrong way, but this thing just flexes!!! I guess it’s because of its wood core (As opposed to epoxy/fiberglass). I still can’t get over how smooth this thing rides through the rough stuff. It seems it has all of the pro’s of twin tip construction (bombproof, flexible and light) but with the added bonus of performing like a surfboard.
Upwind ability was astounding, even riding toeside in light wind, and high speed runs were super fun. Tracking is great – it holds a straight line at any speed. I have noticed that you can’t really bury the rail when edging as much as you can on a twintip – but that makes sense given the foot placement.
Wave riding performance is great – leap years ahead of a twin tip, but follows suit with any surfboard. It does lack a little volume, obviously because it is rather thin and being woodcore construction, but I had no trouble pulling into 2-3ft waves in less than 20kts. It is so comfortable for strapless riding, as the foam deck is concaved in a way that just feels great. I never felt very secure on normal directionals – but it really goes to show how the finer points of design can mean everything in this sport.
Despite being 5’7” I can still rotate this thing, the landings are soft, and it turns on a dime. The rails are fantastic, would be perfect for strapless trickery (board off's etc)
A+, Highly recommended as a board for great fun in the surf riding strapless, or some strapped in boosting fun in high winds!
I used this as my first directional board (still have it) and have to agree with your review. Such a fun board that rips up wind with ease.
I have the first version of one of these , had it 3 or 4 years ? Love it gets used more than the TT.
