Fantastic video . One of the best . Love it
Casso when would you choose the Skate over the Shroom (i.e what conditions ) ?
Select to expand quoteGboots said..
Fantastic video . One of the best . Love it
Casso when would you choose the Skate over the Shroom (i.e what conditions ) ?
I don't have a Shroom anymore so I don't have a choice. 
They work in similar conditions though - smaller, fat waves. I'd go for the Skate if there was more opportunity to hit the lip as the pointier nose would help with piercing the white water.
Impressive camera setup btw. I would be interested in more details...
Is the zooming in/out only done in software, or do you have a sliding pole?
We can see in the final sequence (walking) the - short - pole for the cam on the paddle.... but how is them the cam fixed?
Great view of the action... very sweeeet!
How long did you have to practice with that camera pole? Looks like it would take some getting used to!
It looked like you had to slide your fingers around the pole to re-grip, hows that for paddling around?
Yep - a very tasty little clip that one Casso!
The board looks real good too.
Wicked. 
Select to expand quotesupthecreek said..
Great view of the action... very sweeeet!
How long did you have to practice with that camera pole? Looks like it would take some getting used to!
It looked like you had to slide your fingers around the pole to re-grip, hows that for paddling around?
That was first try of the camera in the surf. Yeah, will take a bit of practice and it's a bit awkward.
Select to expand quotecolas said..
Impressive camera setup btw. I would be interested in more details...
Is the zooming in/out only done in software, or do you have a sliding pole?
We can see in the final sequence (walking) the - short - pole for the cam on the paddle.... but how is them the cam fixed?
The zooming is all done after the shoot with the software. It was a bit broken in the last shot as one of the cable ties holding it on the paddle broke on my last wave.
Why is the Sunova Skate a thruster not a quad set-up like every other similar shaped offering from other brands?
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one. 
Select to expand quotefinsup said..
Why is the Sunova Skate a thruster not a quad set-up like every other similar shaped offering from other brands?
Bert's usually a thruster guy... And AFAIK the Moonfish surfboard on which the Skate was based used to always be a thruster (now is a 5 fin).
Select to expand quoteMangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
Select to expand quotefinsup said..
Why is the Sunova Skate a thruster not a quad set-up like every other similar shaped offering from other brands?
I did have an 8'10" Skate for a number of years. A bit too big for me as I progressed. I did convert it to a Quad (photo attached) and it loosened it up a fair bit. Would love to try an 8' Skate now.
Cheers
Bob
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..MangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
EXACTLY!!!
As thought... there is something verrrryy fishy going on...
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
Ha! That's so classic - I reckon I had the very same conversation!!!
". Haven't sold a Skate in years. No-one wants em, etc etc."
Absolutely spot on Hoppo!
Select to expand quoteFRP said.
I did have an 8'10" Skate for a number of years. A bit too big for me as I progressed. I did convert it to a Quad (photo attached) and it loosened it up a fair bit. Would love to try an 8' Skate now.
Cheers
Bob
Wow! What a stunning board Bob!
Select to expand quotefinsup said...
EXACTLY!!!
As thought... there is something verrrryy fishy going on...
YES!!!
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..MangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
HaHaHa,sunova !(the new flow is much more you) It's all about the latest model !!! That may not even be designed by Bert ! It's all about the $$$,IMO.
Being a shape that works well in small gutless conditions then, what setup would enhance this aspect?
Not interested in 'looseness', the waves are too small and short lived for anything fancy anyway. No room for vertical. Just want to get into the little waves and go for it, maybe turn once before bailing or straight-handing into the shore. Just want to go horizontal as fast and easy as possible, on something as small as possible.
So,
On a fish, Thruster vs quad for getting into gutless mushy waves? (talking proper weekend warrior slappers).
Glide?, drive?... drag!?
I was chasing a skate some years ago and guess what...no one had the right size in stock and nothing second hand so I ended grabbing a shrooommm. I would like to hear form anyone that has ridden both to find out the differences??? Maybe your the only rick ???
Select to expand quotebomberdave said..
I was chasing a skate some years ago and guess what...no one had the right size in stock and nothing second hand so I ended grabbing a shrooommm. I would like to hear form anyone that has ridden both to find out the differences??? Maybe your the only rick ???
ha ha... what, me?
The Skate is totally different than the Shroom
The Skate is best (IMO) when you are "Banging" turns... like on a skateboard, doing kick turns on a flat parking lot, to gain speed. Slapping the board from rail to rail is how I ride it.
Crappy camera shakes... but it demonstrates what I am saying:
The first two waves I am carving turns... but at :44 sec, you can see the "Skating" action. It makes some nice waves toward the end!
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..MangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
Hoppo out of the Skate and the Super Frank which do you believe is more versatile in sub 2 ft waves ?
I've got a Shroom 7'3 and and 7'5 ECS Slab . Was looking at the Super Frank but looks like it might be a dog to paddle ?
Select to expand quotejustaddwater said...
HaHaHa,sunova !(the new flow is much more you) It's all about the latest model !!! That may not even be designed by Bert ! It's all about the $$$,IMO.
Hey Justaddwater
I'm not so sure man. I mean, of course all businesses have to make a profit (albeit often incredibly slim), otherwise they cease to exist, but I don't think it's all about the coin.
I don't reckon Sunova, Smik, Naish, Starboard, JL - any of the shaping companies - are in it just to make money. I reckon they do it because they love it first and foremost and they're totally committed to, and passionate about their craft (lucky them) - and we (lucky us) get to choose whether we buy their boards or not. 
I reckon we're totally spoilt for choice eh - so many incredible boards around and they just keep getting churned out. It's great!
Anyway bro - it's always good to hear different perspectives!!!
Hope you're snagging a few this weekend man!
youre the man rick... I knew youd make sense of it all. Ya throwin those boards around like a horny teenager 
Select to expand quotefinsup said..
Being a shape that works well in small gutless conditions then, what setup would enhance this aspect?
Not interested in 'looseness', the waves are too small and short lived for anything fancy anyway. No room for vertical. Just want to get into the little waves and go for it, maybe turn once before bailing or straight-handing into the shore. Just want to go horizontal as fast and easy as possible, on something as small as possible.
So,
On a fish, Thruster vs quad for getting into gutless mushy waves? (talking proper weekend warrior slappers).
Glide?, drive?... drag!?
General rules I was taught as a whipper snapper:
On a wide tail board, flat rocker, horizontal surfing = Quad or Keels = fast
On a wide tail board, moderate rocker, vertical(ish) surfing = Thruster or MR Twin = turning
I've always preferred thruster over quad. I find 95% of quads too stiff for my liking.
There are always so many variations though... that is really just comes down to personal preference.
On another topic I reckon most of us should try and ride our performance(y) SUPs as a Single Fin for a while. 9" Involvement fin towards front of the box. You just might not go back...
Select to expand quoteGboots said..Hoppo3228 said..MangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
Hoppo out of the Skate and the Super Frank which do you believe is more versatile in sub 2 ft waves ?
I've got a Shroom 7'3 and and 7'5 ECS Slab . Was looking at the Super Frank but looks like it might be a dog to paddle ?
I believe the SF has more range for slightly bigger waves, but for sub 2' waves you'd likely be splitting hairs... Although if you are more a front foot surfer the SF will likely go better. If you've already got a Shroom and Slab, you'd be adding variation for no real benefit.
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..Gboots said..Hoppo3228 said..MangoDingo said..
I've spoken to Dylan about this when I was looking at getting a custom Skate a while back.He reckons the Skate goes unreal as a quad and actually recommended having the quad option on the custom. Apparently the Skate's one of Sunova's original boards and they don't seem to sell many of them anymore - probably because more and more people are chasing banana-shaped 'performance' type boards with outrageous rockers - or longboards. There's less demand for low-rockered ultra-fun fish machines like the Skate - which is weird. So they're probably offered more as special order type board in which case, make sure you get quad options as well as thruster when you order your next one.
The Skate and similar boards to it (JL Super Frank etc) are more fun in the average everyday slop we call waves for many of our sessions than basically any other board. Up to around head high and slopey and you'll be laughing out loud with how much fun you can have on them.
Part of it I think is, we think we are Kai Lenny or Izzy Gomez and try and convince ourselves we 'need' higher performance boards... bollocks!! Reality is the typical Sup surfer is surfing 1-2ft Torquay point and can barely snap a turn or slide the tail.
I asked a Sunova Dealer about ordering a Skate and they literally laughed out loud at me. They tried everything to talk me out of it..."we don't sell them" "nobody buys those anymore"... "the new Flow is much more you..."
Hoppo out of the Skate and the Super Frank which do you believe is more versatile in sub 2 ft waves ?
I've got a Shroom 7'3 and and 7'5 ECS Slab . Was looking at the Super Frank but looks like it might be a dog to paddle ?
I believe the SF has more range for slightly bigger waves, but for sub 2' waves you'd likely be splitting hairs... Although if you are more a front foot surfer the SF will likely go better. If you've already got a Shroom and Slab, you'd be adding variation for no real benefit.
Anything 7' will be a pig to paddle ;) .
I don't know what other boards you have but a nice longboard sup or glider style sup could give some variety and glide that these smaller boards will never give you.
Thanks Hoppo. I actually reckon both the Slab and Shroom paddle well for their length due to the parallel outline . The Skate looks looks it would as well
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..finsup said..
Being a shape that works well in small gutless conditions then, what setup would enhance this aspect?
Not interested in 'looseness', the waves are too small and short lived for anything fancy anyway. No room for vertical. Just want to get into the little waves and go for it, maybe turn once before bailing or straight-handing into the shore. Just want to go horizontal as fast and easy as possible, on something as small as possible.
So,
On a fish, Thruster vs quad for getting into gutless mushy waves? (talking proper weekend warrior slappers).
Glide?, drive?... drag!?
General rules I was taught as a whipper snapper:
On a wide tail board, flat rocker, horizontal surfing = Quad or Keels = fast
On a wide tail board, moderate rocker, vertical(ish) surfing = Thruster or MR Twin = turning
I've always preferred thruster over quad. I find 95% of quads too stiff for my liking.
There are always so many variations though... that is really just comes down to personal preference.
On another topic I reckon most of us should try and ride our performance(y) SUPs as a Single Fin for a while. 9" Involvement fin towards front of the box. You just might not go back...
Cheers hoppo. I think that's what I wanted to hear (save me buying a thruster set... yeah right...)
Keels it is then
