The race boards I have recently been using are the new 2015 JP Carbon Race boards. I have been riding the 12’6” x 25” (223L) and the 14’0” x 24.5” (226L). I’m loving both of these boards!
The first thing I noticed about the 2015 JP Carbon Races was how fast they were. I’m not usually one to talk about how fast a board goes because I believe the speed comes from the paddler itself but I noticed that the board really does go and during a sprint, it flies! Being narrow too, it is a lot easier for me to paddle and go harder without hitting the rail of the boards or having to reach over on each stroke. I found the boards to be super stable in both flat water and out in the surf. I was surprised seeing as they are only 24.5” and 25” wide that they were still very stable in the surf as well as the flat water.
The canoe-like nose and the volume in the nose gives both the boards a real glide in the flat water when heading into the wind or cutting through the water. Also due to the fact that the board is very flat with the barely any rocker (if any), this made the board extremely quick in the flat. In the ‘Dash for Cash’ race at the Forster Island Paddle Festival over the past weekend, I found the 14’0” to be super quick when accelerating off the start then throughout the race, I was able to stay on pace with the top paddlers. This board has a width of 24.5” which again assisted in the speed. In the distance races, I prefer the 14’0” due to the fact that not only it is clearly longer but the board is narrower than the 12’6” giving it more speed and glide. Also in the 10km race where I placed 5th in the women's division, I found the board to be fast in distance paddling.
One thing I love about the board is that it pretty much catches everything! In the flat water, it catches runners from boat or board wash or the slightest bit of wind chop. I prefer the 12’6” in the downwind runs in comparison to the 14’ but I think that it is mainly due to my size. For those who are bigger than me in size (in other words, pretty much the majority of the population), I think the 14’0” would be fine.
I found it fun to ride in the surf. At first I found it a bit tricky because the board is so light that the nose sort of flicked around a bit but once I got used to the feel of the board, I have had not many problems with it. Once I worked out where I should be standing on it in the surf when paddling out and coming in, I found it manageable and fun in the surf.
Once again, because of my size I find the 12’6” more manageable in the surf as it is easier when it comes to turning buoys, wave riding and paddling in and out as oppose to the 14’0”.
The boards are very easy to turn as they are extremely light and also really stable on the buoy turns.
Lastly, they track really well in a straight line and easy to stay on draft lines. I would have no hesitation in recommending these boards to other paddlers who share in interest in training and competing.
Sickest racey for sure yew :)
