Had the opportunity to swap boards with a mate today, I have the 8'8 flow V2 at 126 lt and he has a 9'x30x157l Pro 2021. Was clean but small, knee to waist high, weak waves mostly. Impressions ... the starboard had better glide onto waves not overly surprised as Im 96+kg (hes about the same maybe a little lighter) I thought the board might be Corky at 157lt but not a t all it sat in the water nicely and wasnt any tippier than the flow.
Once a wave the flow was certainly a lot faster and the thin rails really are awesome, he was impressed with the flow on a wave. The flow is also a lot looser in the tail.
Overall impressions, both are amazing boards and worth the $ spent. Similar as far as stability both handle big blokes comfortably. The starboard was slightly better catching small waves, the flow better on a wave. In bigger juice I think the flow would win overall.due to its 'on wave' performance".
Would either of us swap boards, Nope!
Well I had my doubts. I've owned an 8'10" Flow previously, and I moved it on. It took me a long time to convince myself that the same board at 8'8" was going to be any different, despite being tweaked. I was dead wrong. The first few waves I caught on this had me fearing the worst, but they were quite small and sluggish, not really a good trial. As the last of the low tide drained out today and it turned, pushing up a few steep walls, she came alive. Pushing all the volume to the centre of the board and really thinning out the rails has transformed the Flow. And I found it very comfortable waiting for waves. Made for a really fun morning. Loved it.