Just had a look at the Smik site last night and noticed they've bought out a longboard with a Bonza configuration so I ordered one 10'x29 135lt . I've already got the hipster longboard at 10'x30 which I really like but I reckon this will have a pretty different feel . Anyone ridden one of these ? Any feedback would be good 
Select to expand quotefester said..
Scotty needs stop having fun in the water and do some videos on his new models
I've seen a brief clip of a guy riding one . I'm looking forward to it . I've gone narrower and keen to try something different
Select to expand quotesmh said..
Just had a look at the Smik site last night and noticed they've bought out a longboard with a Bonza configuration so I ordered one 10'x29 135lt . I've already got the hipster longboard at 10'x30 which I really like but I reckon this will have a pretty different feel . Anyone ridden one of these ? Any feedback would be good
SMH any feedback on the Smik lord bonza?
I recently bought a SMIK Bonza Lord 10x28 .
Im a experienced rider 87kg only ever ridden shorter SUP boards ,several Starboard pro carbons and currently a SMIK Spitfire V3. Despite the fact i have several McTavish and Takayama surf longboards I've never previously owned a SUP longboard. Other than SMIK website there isn't much info anywhere about this so I thought I would write a review.
I did allot of research and on paper would not have chosen this board. My preference was the standard stylelord or Cassy Revolution because I'm not usually one to try anything out of the ordinary. However in WSS shop with the boards together the Bonza talked to me. Something about the finer nose and slight lift which suggests it won't catch and it looked awesome with silk Japanese wave graphic.
I've had the board out in a wide variety of conditions now. At 133L and 28 wide for my weight it's a given it paddles fast and tracks beautifully. The deck is flat and there is good volume in the standing area, the tail is slightly awash. The slight nose lift together with the momentum you can create means I can punch over white water easier than my Spitfire . I've saved myself so many poundings because I get back out without falling.
1-2ft glassy runners...the board catches nice and early its trims fast from the middle and despite the smaller nose it's still big compared to my surfboard longboards and is allot of fun to walk. Plenty of Cheater fives the bonzas have not let go on me yet when up near the front.
3-4ft clean ... Super fun size. The board just takes off on the drop you need to get back quickly and engage the paddle it's more of a drawn turn and the board feels driven and powerful on the top turn you need to stay active walking and trimming as the wave changes speed.
Overhead fast beach break .. I would normally use the Spitfire or regular surfing in these conditions but I happened to be out when the swell came up. The first few I got pitched hard .Then getting in slightly earlier taking off sideways and feet straight back to the tail inside rail the boards takes off like a rocket and hold so well. The nose never caught once even on the steepest drops.
Double overhead softer wave..this was one of the best days I can remember on a sup. A big lazy 12 second wave breaking out the back all to myself. Easy takeoffs the boards feels so solid,fast and powerful, long drawn out round house turns from the tail was so much fun.
So in conclusion I bought this board for smaller days but it has so much range and flexibility I think I'll be using it 80% of the time. It does requires good paddle handling and walking skills to get the best out of it though.
It's not the board you would probably take to a comp but as an all around fun longboard SUP It's well worth considering . Don't be afraid of the Bonzas.
Select to expand quoteKB7 said..
I recently bought a SMIK Bonza Lord 10x28 .
Im a experienced rider 87kg only ever ridden shorter SUP boards ,several Starboard pro carbons and currently a SMIK Spitfire V3. Despite the fact i have several McTavish and Takayama surf longboards I've never previously owned a SUP longboard. Other than SMIK website there isn't much info anywhere about this so I thought I would write a review.
I did allot of research and on paper would not have chosen this board. My preference was the standard stylelord or Cassy Revolution because I'm not usually one to try anything out of the ordinary. However in WSS shop with the boards together the Bonza talked to me. Something about the finer nose and slight lift which suggests it won't catch and it looked awesome with silk Japanese wave graphic.
I've had the board out in a wide variety of conditions now. At 133L and 28 wide for my weight it's a given it paddles fast and tracks beautifully. The deck is flat and there is good volume in the standing area, the tail is slightly awash. The slight nose lift together with the momentum you can create means I can punch over white water easier than my Spitfire . I've saved myself so many poundings because I get back out without falling.
1-2ft glassy runners...the board catches nice and early its trims fast from the middle and despite the smaller nose it's still big compared to my surfboard longboards and is allot of fun to walk. Plenty of Cheater fives the bonzas have not let go on me yet when up near the front.
3-4ft clean ... Super fun size. The board just takes off on the drop you need to get back quickly and engage the paddle it's more of a drawn turn and the board feels driven and powerful on the top turn you need to stay active walking and trimming as the wave changes speed.
Overhead fast beach break .. I would normally use the Spitfire or regular surfing in these conditions but I happened to be out when the swell came up. The first few I got pitched hard .Then getting in slightly earlier taking off sideways and feet straight back to the tail inside rail the boards takes off like a rocket and hold so well. The nose never caught once even on the steepest drops.
Double overhead softer wave..this was one of the best days I can remember on a sup. A big lazy 12 second wave breaking out the back all to myself. Easy takeoffs the boards feels so solid,fast and powerful, long drawn out round house turns from the tail was so much fun.
So in conclusion I bought this board for smaller days but it has so much range and flexibility I think I'll be using it 80% of the time. It does requires good paddle handling and walking skills to get the best out of it though.
It's not the board you would probably take to a comp but as an all around fun longboard SUP It's well worth considering . Don't be afraid of the Bonzas.
Great review, that's why I ordered one.
KB7 I'm older with bad shoulders,they work but I have limited strength ,how does the bonza paddle with all that fin resistance ?
The honest this board paddles so much easier and faster that what I'm used to there is no perceived drag from the extra fins sub planning. When it takes off the fins feel different though grippy with drive. It's not a board for short snappy turns.
I'm also older with similar shoulders and back issues that need managing I recently changed to a smaller paddle blade and increased my stroke rate . That seems to cause less stress on the body.
