Hi All,
First time posting, I need some advice on where do I go next.
I've been surfing short boards 15yrs, longboards 4yrs, kiting 2.5yrs (strapless surf) and SUP surfing for 18mths (I love surfing).
I'm 42 yo, 87kgs and 5'11".
I thought I'd give SUP surfing a go on an old 8'3" Fanatic Allwave and after many falls at first within a few months I was converted and wanted something more aggressive. With very limited local options to try boards I bought a second hand Flash 8'6" based on what was available and what I'd read on this forum. Again many falls to start off but l have loved riding this from the first wave. I've had it about 9mths and it's definitely my first choice if it's not too choppy. I still find it a bit tippy when conditions aren't ideal but on any wave (1-8foot) it is super reliable, sooo responsive rail to rail and takes late drops with ease, just can't fault it on the wave. A mate was selling an 8'5" Blurr v2 and I thought that might give me similar performance with more stability but I just couldn't get it to perform on the wave even close to the flash.
I've been reading reviews on the Placid and the Hipster Twin and they both sound good but I'm scared to buy before I try after feeling let down by a highly reviewed Blurr.
Sorry this is so long, ideally I think I'd like an 8'9"Flash as a step up and either Hipster Twin(7'10") or Placid(8'3") for ever other day
or should I just persevere with the 8'6" Flash?
I would love to hear your thoughts on the different options.
Thanks
Surffeenz
I guess it really depends if you want one board or two. I used to have an 8'0 flash, great surfer but was pretty tippy and didn't work as a one board quiver. I then got a 7'2 hypernut and have basically only surfed that the last year, but now decided expand my quiver again and get a 8'4 step up.
similar to you, I could try and manipulate my hypernut in to everything but it's not at home in big or steep stuff (1.5m+) and my step up is a much more fun board in those conditions.
if you want 2 board, I'd go for the extremes and have a super short one like the hipster and then keep your 8'6 for a bit as a step up?
Maybe keep the flash since it works better than the blurr and build a quiver around it. If it was me I would start with a
performance step down board, shorter to fit into smaller waves and turn better, maybe 8'0 or less and wide enough for stability. Either placid or hipster could fit the bill, and you could probably get sizing advice here or form shaper to limit the risk. Then for either end of the extreme you could consider a hp longboard sup for slopey waves, and possibly a step up gun for big wave if thats your thing. Some longboards might even work for both.
Chasing a better replacement for the flash if it works for you might not get you as much bang for the buck especially at this point in your progress. It sounds like the stability doesn't hinder you too much, since you haven't been doing it that long that can also improve with technique and practice. I don't think the 8'9 flash makes sense if you keep the 8'6 or replace it.
Thanks benjl and slsurf for quick response. I find the 8'6"flash handles the biggest waves I can get out on (8ft point/reef break) with ease but find it hard to move around (tippy) in the lineup in big lumpy swell. I suppose I was wondering if something like the Placid could be that one board quiver but sounds like every other version of surfing where I might need the multi board set up.
I'm worried I'll find the Placid or Twin too slow on a steeper wave down the line than the Flash.
You have had an interesting experience. I have an 8'8 Flash (custom), an 8'7 Placid, and an 8'5 Blurr V2.
I was surprised to read that you did not like the Blurr V2. I think it performs very well. However, I am 7-8 kg heavier (and 17 years older ), so it is my short performance board. That board is right at my limit - if it is too choppy/lumpy then I get frustrated. But on the wave, it is much more fun than the 8'7 Placid. In fact, due to some recent frustration, after 5 sessions on the V2 I took out the Placid and it felt like a boat. It was very stable, but I had to re-learn how much I needed to move my feet around to get it to turn. I fell off a few times just because the board did not go where I wanted it to go.
The 8'6 Flash is only 29.5 wide and 112L versus 30.5 and 121L so for you, the V2 should not perform as well. My Placid is 8'7, 31.5, and 125L, so you can see why the V2 is a performance board for me.
Anyway, I guess it depends on what you want in a second board. If you just want a little more stability, I would be tempted to go for a bigger Flash, just because you will likely be dialed in (I had a few Acid's for that reason). The Placid is good because it is still short but wider, so more stable, but go for the 8'3. It is a similar volume to your Flash but an inch wider. (Don't go for the 8'7" - it will be too big for you.) I haven't ridden an Allwave, but if it is also 8'3" I hope they aren't too similar.
If you're worried about a smaller wave board being slower down the line or on steeper waves then think again with the hypernut. That thing bloody flies! Way faster than any step up or pointy nose board.
ive had mine on near barelling waves and due to its width only being 28" wide, it handles surprisingly well. Mine is also more volume in my 7'2 than my 8'4 x 28 step up, so they have a stack of volume, really easy balance and can grovel. The new hypernuts have thinner and better rails apparently- that would be my closest one board quiver in anything less than head and a bit
another potential one board quiver might be a smik v2 or v3 spitfire. Fast, apparently decently stable and made to handle that 2-7ft range. Would prob cover most bases pretty well.
The Placid will give you more comfort than you find with your Flash, due to the extra width and more volume in the nose. It really is comfortable at a lowish volume. the Placid is snappy and smooth at the same time, but not what I would call fast. It's fast enough to get the job done. it's a nice board that I really enjoy surfing
I'd keep the Flash for the clean, steep sessions, because quivers work....
if you want faster and snappy, consider a slightly longer GenRation SP25 at 8'5 x 30.5 - 126 L
my 8'11 SP 25 is 15 L more than my 8'10 Placid, but my Placid is more comfortable. So I suggest the 8'5 for you.
IMO, I surf the SP 25 best out of all my boards.
it is very fast, snappy and rides smaller than its size
GenRations are available from any Sunova Dealer.
check my reviews on both boards, you will see similarities and compare the ride I get from mine.
"Rick Weeks SP 25 Review"
comfort and good design will deliver more performance than size/volume alone.
You haven't paddled very long so I think you could improve to overcome more difficult conditions instead of changing boards but everyone is different some really value standing stability for various and legit reasons. Crazy idea, 8'5 speed for a change of pace, magic board, probably not much help in stability but guaranteed fun and fast. Turns incredible off the tail if you can get back there and if you use a small trailer.
Hey mate
heres my new quiver of the 7'2 hypernut and 8'4 f-one. Both 28" wide and 105 vs 99l volume but quite different boards as you can see. You wouldn't think the 8'4 is lower volume from looking at the pic but the rails are so much more thin. I think if you keep the width down on your smaller wave board, then it will remain fast and give you a good difference between that and your flash. the good thing about the hypernuts is they are incredibly fast, stable and due to the design, can go very short on them which enables them to turn very well for a high volume short board.
I also hd a Jimmy lewis supertech 8'3 and that was a great one board quiver. More stable than the flash and can grovel but not as sharp on the turns.
I have had all three boards so here is my take IMO ..... I had the 7'10 hipster and it was stable , fast and loose . Only problem was big surf it tended to not hold as well on the bottom turns and skated a little. Great board and well made.
I had the Placid for a while whist my Flash was being repaired and found it ok but abit sluggish compared to the other 2 boards. Fairly predictable , conservative ride but turns tight if over the back fins. Surfs well if you are more of a front foot surfer. Bit boring for me and too wide up front.
The Flash is my favourite as it is super fast as a thruster, turns quick and hard when pushed. Only issue was a major delam underneath whilst sitting on my rack in the shed. Fixed it and am still keeping it for all size waves especially when it gets bigger. Great outline curve from tip to tail.
However I'd get another 7'10 Hipster again for small days as it is so much fun to ride.
I'm also 87kgs and 5'11 if that helps.
I checked the Flow V2 out recently and it has been refined since the original flow of 2 years ago. Main thoughts without riding one yet would be the step rail concept which can make the board feel tippier than a normal style of rail. I had a step rail SUP board about 12 years ago in the early crazy days of short SUP designs and mine was really tippy but great on the wave face as it felt as it was slicing into the wall and helping in the turns. The step rail concept on short SUP's is not new but not really popular either. The new flow V2 looks stable and has a flatter deck than the flash (dommed deck) and of course will go fast as it's red
Either way you can't go wrong IMO.
I have both the flash and the placid, 8'9 and 8'7 respectively. I tend to ride the placid more but only because the majority of times I surf conditions suit it better. If I lived somewhere where the surf was consistently more powerful I would ride the flash every time.
When conditions are smaller/less powerful - say waist to head high - I ride the placid- I find it easier to catch waves on and more fun. I have a bit of a love hate with it, foot placement is so important. If you arent on your game it can be not much fun at all.
The flash I find needs steeper waves and is just so much fun in the right conditions. Later take offs are the order of the day, but its so predictable and reliable I rarely feel concerned and I dont think I have ever nose dived it on a late take off - Ive been suprised I havent though on many occasions. The flash rides so well off the rail - big bottom turns with your face almost in the water are so much fun on it. It can be hard to catch waves when its fatter.
Overall I think they complement each other well in a quiver. If I had to just keep one of them for my everything board it would be a tough call - probably the flash as its better in the fun stuff.
Surffeenz there is a 8'10x29 3/4 (116L) acid in WSS which you can most likely demo if you want a more stable board and still have performance. Just a thought.
Flash is a great board as wanted one in the past (almost bought the board you have) and if you go to a chunkier rail or over 30" width you will most likely miss the flash.
Myself
92kg 6'1"
Breanno,
I believe that at 100 kegs the 8'4 would not have enough foam to comfortably float you. The 8'8 would be spot on as It makes standing around out the back and paddling pretty comfortable. Don't go too small as it will sit on the rack too much. It surfed really well and you wouldn't be dissappointed with the 8'8 as it looks, feels and surfs like a smaller board.
Waz