Ok, I've had a few requests for a review but I can't promise I'll do it just as it is my own opinion. Here goes:
12'6 x 28, 258ltrs, custom. 30 wides are being made.
Upside down piercing nose, double concave under the standing area, with a V starting in front of the fin and running through to the tail. The deep boards may change to this style of nose shape in the future but there is no garantee this will happen. The doubles are something I specifically requested, also with the beefed up volume to float my 92kg. All the racing boards now come with a carbon inegra (sorry if incorrectly spelt) strips, 2 on the top of the rail and 2 at the bottom of the rail to give it extra rigidity, this was a huge selling point for me over other boards on the market.
The Ride
Flat water into a head wind:
Upon first paddle strokes this board felt as if it picked up out of the water with minimal effort. Standing with my toes inline with the handle the nose sits cleanly out of the water with the tail sitting lower then I normally would like (creating a bit of extra drag at the back which races on the golddie love to sit on). Due to this I moved slightly forward of the handle to drop the nose a bit more and lift the tail WOW, this thing loves to glide when in the sweet spot between strokes. The nose pierces through the on coming chop with minimal resistance.
Flat water with the wind:
Paddling with the wind is effortless unless you want to go faster and the board will surely respond to the extra effort cruising over the chop in front. In these conditions I stepped backwards to have my toes inline with the handle so the nose wouldn't go under, due to when in the further forward position the nose dug into the back of some of the wind chop. I'll fill you in with more runner info in a moment.
On the run:
Heading into Talle Creek mouth to play with the waves and runners this board will be interesting. Heading out the nose kept straight regardless of going over or through the waves or chop. Whilst turning side on the board is a bit tippy but this has to do with the rider as I'm sure a pro would have no trouble. First wave, bam! This board surfs in well and is very responsive to where you want it to go. Here comes the fat section that turns into the runners in the creek, dam I love this board it just cruises in with the occasional paddle tap to keep you in the right position. From here I decided rather then heading back out to the break to just test it out in some of the little runners coming in the creek. Once again I'm impressed by how it loves to jump on these little bumps and sometimes connect one to another.
Wrap up
I'm still yet to test this board on a down wind run and with some in's and outs, but at this stage I'm super impressed. By no means am I an elite athlete (just your weekend warrior) but this board is starting to produce times close to the 14' I previously owned. Would I buy another? Hell yeah! trying to round up funds for a 14, but I would like a ride on a JM 14' (it would have to be pretty special at this stage). Price, I'll let Simon (Mr deep) tell you that, lets just say the wife will be happy with you after telling her the savings you just made.
Pro's
* Great pick up speed
* Nose goes where you point it
* Catchs mini runners with ease
* Comes alive on waves (easy to turn and control)
* Super stiff and not heavy
* Australian made
Con's
* Creates a decent wake if not standing in the right spot
* Bit tippy for me with cross chop/swell (luckly haven't fallen off yet)
