I moved onto the Coreban 9' when they arrived in early December 2009. This was my first experience on a "short" SUP after riding one in the 11 foot range.
It was also my first real experience of riding an epoxy board rather than my usual and much heavier polyurethane foam and fibre glass design. I come from a short and longboard surfing background and have been riding a SUP since mid-2007.
The two things I found right away on this shorter board were: first, with less volume makes for more work on the legs to keep stability when paddling out and stroking into waves; and the second was increased manoeuvrability. I got rid of the "wobbles" when paddling quickly as have found that sweet spot for paddling. And am trying out new moves to test my ability on the board; which has either got me stoked as I've made a turn or ended in an earful of water when I didn't.
What I do enjoy about the board is its ability to build up speed down-the-line. It is really quick off the mark and with slight pump-action and paddle I get lots of momentum and am ready for an off-the-top, floater, or power cutback. While I'm more comfortable on my forehand (I'm natural footed), I have been pushing myself lately on my back backhand. One move I'm really enjoying is paddling straight into a wave then dropping my centre of gravity and sliding the board into a left with paddle acting as a cyborg extension of my arm to set up for the wall.
I've tried out both thruster and quad fin configurations. Personally, I'm more comfortable with three-fins. I find the quad sticks more than expected on a turn - but then I enjoy a looser board and the drive a backfin offers. Having said that, the quad does work well in hollower waves and I suspect that I'll need a larger backfin on a thruster set up for similar conditions to compliment the swallow-tail. Yet, the best barrel to date has been when I was on tri-fin set up. Really cool to watch the yellow board engulfed by the curtain and feel the paddle dragging up and behind me.
I've been riding a range of conditions and spots on the Coreban so far; a Garden Route head-high plus point break is my favourite! I've been riding it at Camps Bay, Clifton, Milnerton Lagoon and other northern beaches. I'm just over 80kg, and I think this is probably the upper weight limit on this board depending on your ability. Is not an entry level board and I'd say you need some wave-riding sense to really fully appreciate the Coreban 9'0".
Oh, some social history about my board: it's name is 'Honey' due yellow colour and when you are in the sweet spot it rides like a dream! Name credit goes to Hanli Prinsloo after a session out at Camps Bay in latish December '09.
