Well it got wet....unfortunately the wind didn't co-operate for a good test session but I got some reasonable first impressions.

Had been a windy Northerly all day but by the time I got away from work it was starting to back off a bit. Still looked reasonably solid as i rigged but of coarse as I put my wettie on it started getting dodgy. Stuff it...going anyway!!! 6.3 Race was the biggest sail I had (was meant to be really windy) and the only fin I have which was appropriate is a pretty trashed KA Slalom 37.

First Impressions

Float....With my winter wettie harness and booties I would have to be sailing at 95 Kgs maybe more. It floated me well and was pretty stable. The volume is back around the front straps which helps.

Spent the first 20 minutes dredging and was about to call it when it looked like it was filling a bit from the city end. A couple of puffs came through and it popped. Seemed to get up pretty easy but you do have to get the weight back. Bugger...cant get my feet in the straps, probably should have adjusted those. In I came.
Sorted and just enough wind to plane...that's better.

Ride.......It instantly felt very nice and accelerated up to speed effortlessly. The tide was running against the wind so there was a very steep close frequency chop and it charged through easily. The ride is active and lively but there was no thumping or harshness. The strap positions are spot on and with the mast base right in the design position it felt balanced. The board also didn't do that rail to rail rocking that I have noticed in some boards with lots of V.

Speed......Well I was never really powered up as the wind was very puffy and unstable, shifting around alot. Big holes in it as well. I freed off a couple of times and it accelerated really fast. I was happy to see a 30 on the dial considering i was half powered. I think there is a lot of speed in this board. I have posted in GPSTC.

The gybe....well i only did a couple as the wind seemed to fail every time I wanted to turn around but it is easy to gybe and I think in powered conditions it will be great.

So unfortunately not a great day to draw any huge conclusions but I am really encouraged and I give the first run a thumbs up!!
Can't wait to get better conditions.