Longterm board review

Review by: Dom Gaud

Pictures by: Gabi 

Specification: Wood deck, Epoxy Construction

Size: 11'6" Long, 29 ¾" wide, 5 ½" Thick, 231L volume

Fin's: Single fin

Shaper: Harold Iggy 

First impressions:

This is a big yellow board with some impressive tribal design on the deck. Looks like it will be fun in small waves and a great beginners board. It looks a bit bulky and cumbersome to carry, but the handle positioning in the board is ideally placed to provide even balance making it easy to carry and the board is a lot lighter then I expected. The 11'6 comes with an 11" Naish fin.

In the water:

The board is best suited for beginners and intermediate larger riders and is really at home in small surf. Having said that I found the board to be very stable in varied conditions and it has performed well in surf ranging from 0.5ft to 6ft. At 6ft+ the rails are very unforgiving and the single fin becomes a factor. The board is surprisingly maneuverable if you get your foot right over the fin box and use the tail rocker it becomes very lively and does not feel 11ft long. I also pushed the fin forward and downsized to a 9" fin which made the board looser. It rides like a classic old school longboard where the stability of the board promotes cross stepping and nose-rides, making it great for point breaks and long rolling beach breaks.

Another great use for this board for any level of rider is flat water and downwind paddling. Although I have chosen other boards over this one for flat water glide, this is the best option for downwinders. With good rocker in the nose and tail and the stability of the board at sea make it my choice.

Conclusion:

This board catches waves so easily and is Fun! It is a great all rounder that has served me well in all conditions and will always have a place in my quiver. I recommend this board to beginner riders 90Kg+ and for downwinders and small days. It will still offer a learning curve for heavier intermediate riders. It is a large board with a lot of volume so it might be too corky and big for lighter riders or ladies.