Just perusing the naish site and casting an admiring eye over the new downwind boards.
I gotta say the Glide 14x30 is looking pretty big and heavy, the 2014 version was getting towards the upper limit of what I think is practical, so it'll be interesting to see what the uptake is of this one. www.naishsurfing.com/product/glide-140-x30-gs/
The 14x29 blurb doesn't talk about rocker or downwinding. I guess it's flatwater only? www.naishsurfing.com/product/glide-140-x29-gs/
I understand now why there's been more hype over the Javelins. The 14x28 looks like a sweet board. www.naishsurfing.com/product/javelin-140-x28-gx/
I'm assuming that the Glides will be exactly the same as last years, except with a wider one available.
You're right 16.8kg for the 30' is getting up there !
Getting to see the 28" tomorrow.
If you read the description it explains that the Glides are multi purpose boards and not dedicated downwind boards.
at 30 wide they are never going to be competitive downwind boards but more multi-purpose - bit of everything - which for some will be fine.
Maybe not competitive for a light person.. but should be competitive for a heavy person.. because they won't be sinking it and falling off so much..
I think it's great that Naish are now looking after the average joe's and bigger people and not just focusing on the light weights and racers.. btw the F16 is still one of the most popular DW boards out there and it's competitive.. and it's also 30" wide.
If downwinding is your aim you will be much better off with the 29" model. The 29" hasn't changed for 2015 except they are only available in GS.
The new 30" model has a recessed deck, different rocker line and more cutting nose. I will put more info up later.
I agree with DJ. For last year we asked for a big boy's/more stable DW board that didn't break the bank. And they delivered the 29" wide 2014 Glide. Perfect. Then we asked for affordable Javelins that were more useable for the non-elite paddler and in choppy waters. They have delivered eg. the 28" wide 2015 Javelins in a new improved (full PVC sandwich) decent-value GX construction. Perfect again. I really feel that Naish are listening to its customers' suggestions in a way that many other top brands could learn from. And no, I have no specific brand loyalties - I'm just calling it as I see it.
Interesting comments guys. I agree its good all the manufacturers are trying different things and I for one and always keen to see what's going to be the next thing to froth over. Catering for the big guys is definitely in my interest.
I've had my 2014 glide (gs) since December and all that time I was thinking it was 30" wide, not 29 (and a bit)... it's a great board, but try carrying it for more than a few hundred metres after a big session and you soon get an appreciation of what each extra kilo means - surprised that they cut out the GX version as I thought that was a pretty popular choice.
Foamballer - I didn't know they had cut the GX Glide. But if so, I think you are right. At the end of this season you could still buy a GS Glide 14 in Europe but all the GX boards had long gone. But I guess maybe they figure that if you are serious enough to be spending GX-type money then you are probably serious enough to be buying a Javelin...?
