Reviewed By: Brendon.

Video By: SUPHQ.

Some info and pics from the Starboard Catalogue.

Dimensions: 11'2 * 30" * 3.9" thick                                          

Volume: 168l

Weight +-: 12kg

Fins: Single Box Plus 2 FCS.

Construction Features:

Available in: Technora, TAC, Candy, Camo, Blue Touch.

Double Leash Plug.

Excellent Deckpad.

Design and Shape:

"A very popular board with it’s roots from traditional longboarding. The Blend’s 11’2’ long hull glides well on flat water and is especially easy to catch waves with. While surfing the thin refined rails aft and increased tail V provides a responsive feel and exciting drive out of a turn. The flattened out deck makes the board comfortable for paddling and great for nose riding. It’s a very forgiving board to “walk” with its slightly wider nose. The 11’2” x 30” provides enough glide for flat water cruising, good stability for catching waves and exciting performance once up and riding, making it the perfect Blend. Slight mono concave in the nose section to flat middle with V in the tail."

Starboard Catalogue.

This board caught my eye from the first time I saw it at Waggy's shop. The lines are awesome. Starting with a wide nose for walking to a very sexy back third. The rails are tight and pretty thin. The 168l volume makes it not as 'Corky" as other boards on the over 11 foot range. This volume is obviously aquired by making the board a bit thinner. The 3"9 thickness gives the board a springy feel wich makes the board feel alive. A major plus of this board is the deckpad. The area where you stand and paddle has grip a bit higher than the the rest of the deckpad this allows for really comfortable paddling and almost a foot massage. The side fins of the 09 model are a bit cheap but I understand that Starboard are supplying bamboo fins with the 10 model.

Paddling:

Paddling is a breeze with the length and rails holding a great line. For me at 100kg this board would be a primarily a surfing board. I think that someone of about 70kg and under would find this to be the perfect allround board for paddling, downwinders and surfing. 

Surfing:

This was the primary reason I bought this board. Sort of a small wave and big wave board. The length allows you to catch waves early. As mentioned before the board walks really easily. Starboard even placed a nice black line down the length of the board witch helps with the walking to the nose. This board needs a bit of power to get going and once its moving is very manoeuvrable and fast. The speed really helps in making mistimed lip smacking. I do find the board a little short on rocker but the flatter rocker is allowing the board to generate more speed. Standing on the tail does tend to bring the nose out. So far I have surfed this board from about 2 foot till about 6 foot. Plenty sessions in the 4 foot range and this is where I found the board to come alive. I've had about one 6 foot session witch I set the fins up as a single and did not really enjoy. Next time in bigger surf I am  going to try a thruster setup to create more stability. 

Conclusion:

This board is exactly what I wanted and more. I wanted a small wave and big wave board and got a great board that suits  most conditions. I have made some take offs that I thought not makable and whacked a few lips I thought not possible. It would probibly be a board for 90kg + guys who want to get into SUPing and are serious about the longboarding side of surfing and a great all purpose board for lighter folk.