Awesome event today guys, thanks to Casso and the crew for putting on another awesome event. I believe it was an all time high for entry's today, great to see.

Small but fun waves saw 6 heats start of the 3 round wave contest, with a tough final the Goatman showed his pocket power and wave selection to take out club champion for the day. Casso knocked off his perch for the second event in a row, put in an amazing display in the trying conditions. Well done guys. Great to see all the grommies and chicks in the racing as well, 3 full rounds of racing (youth, Women, Opens) lead to an exciting race for the finish. Video of the racing coming soon.

But the all time high for me was riding the 8'4" Hokua. OMG! After one wave at 7:45am (pre heats), I decided this board was definitely for me, after a quick run up to Aido's car (who luckily had one still in the box) I de-finned my beloved 8'10" and finned up my new baby .... the 8'4". Wow, this board is insane. I had weighed myself yesterday night and came in just under 95kg, so I obviously thought that the board would be a challenge. BUt in all honesty, in comparison to the 8'10", there's not that much in it as far a stability goes(mind you is is a bit harder). But once on a wave, this board did something that I did not believe was possible... It out surfed the 8'10" Hokua! I will fill in some more characteristics on the board later. If your on the search for the ultimate shortboard SUP, Fast, Drivey, Responsive and your <95 (probably <85 for lesser experienced riders) I strongly urge you to head down to your local shop and Demo one ASAP.

Anyway, sorry got carried away there, I will post some video of the event soon, both here and on accounts.tidyhq.com/users/sign_in .

Thanks again Team, was an awesome day.

Regards,

JB

Great Pics DJ. Thia board is incredible.

Stability = Unbelieveable for an 8'4" x 27 (we had chop, rips and mess everywhere, and I was amazed at even being able stand on the board, little lone be comfortable at my weight.

Speed = The board is on the tip of your toes, it's so fast and responsive.

Surf ability = WOW

Paddling = Yaws a little on the first few strokes which took a bit to get used to, but once you've made 2 or 3 board tracks well and really accelerates once picking up a wave.

The package = Board looks great, it's light. Deck grip is awesome. Improved rear fin box to accommodate more positions. Cover included.

Did Matt get out on his today?

JB

JB said...

Great Pics DJ. Thia board is incredible.

Stability = Unbelieveable for an 8'4" x 27 (we had chop, rips and mess everywhere, and I was amazed at even being able stand on the board, little lone be comfortable at my weight.

Speed = The board is on the tip of your toes, it's so fast and responsive.

Surf ability = WOW

Paddling = Yaws a little on the first few strokes which took a bit to get used to, but once you've made 2 or 3 board tracks well and really accelerates once picking up a wave.

The package = Board looks great, it's light. Deck grip is awesome. Improved rear fin box to accommodate more positions. Cover included.

Did Matt get out on his today?

JB

yes the board is unreal, really really unreal, but to say the stability is unbelievable is just not true. the 8'10 and 8'4 were at the supsa day and there is a fair difference in float ie- how much the board sits under water even at my weight of 77 kg. i also paddled a new brand 7'6 x 29" board that had about the same stability, if not a touch better

i'm a big fan of the board and i don't mean to rain on the party and it's not a put down, but i would suggest those looking to move down from their 8'10 to try it a few times to really make sure it and not to be blinded by it's performance. i know this will probably make me very unpopular
cheers
ps i'm still maybe thinking about getting one

laceys lane said...

JB said...

Great Pics DJ. Thia board is incredible.

Stability = Unbelieveable for an 8'4" x 27 (we had chop, rips and mess everywhere, and I was amazed at even being able stand on the board, little lone be comfortable at my weight.

Speed = The board is on the tip of your toes, it's so fast and responsive.

Surf ability = WOW

Paddling = Yaws a little on the first few strokes which took a bit to get used to, but once you've made 2 or 3 board tracks well and really accelerates once picking up a wave.

The package = Board looks great, it's light. Deck grip is awesome. Improved rear fin box to accommodate more positions. Cover included.

Did Matt get out on his today?

JB

yes the board is unreal, really really unreal, but to say the stability is unbelievable is just not true. the 8'10 and 8'4 were at the supsa day and there is a fair difference in float ie- how much the board sits under water even at my weight of 77 kg. i also paddled a new brand 7'6 x 29" board that had about the same stability, if not a touch better

i'm a big fan of the board and i don't mean to rain on the party and it's not a put down, but i would suggest those looking to move down from their 8'10 to try it a few times to really make sure it and not to be blinded by it's performance. i know this will probably make me very unpopular
cheers
ps i'm still maybe thinking about getting one

I wouldn't say just not true LL, I am strongly refering to it's size (maybe should have been clearer), and I definitely recommend trying this board before buying, after all it is 8'4"! However, after riding this board for a few hours yesterday in rippy, choppy, bumpy water, there is no way I would say that this board it unstable. You also need to consider how your comparing the stability. A 77kg rider on an 8'10" is going to be stylin in comparison to a 95kg rider on an 8'10", those 18kg make a huge difference. But when you drop about 5 ltr's on a board, it is going to feel different to some one who is used to floating up high and dry. I float with my feet underwater on the 8'10" anyway, so I guess I'm used to that feel. And in comparison to the 8'10", the difference in stability is not as big as I would have first thought.

But hey, let apples be apples, get out there, I'm keen to hear some more comments on the board. From my limited quality of waves yesterday, I am hanging to get this baby in some decent waves.

JB

Just looked at some video from yesterday. Haven't had a good look, but here's a quick few shots of me paddling the 8'4".

Yep, thanks Casso and your family for another top day! Great atmosphere, very good turn out, kids race went off, good times!

Goaty hit in the head saying, "the surfing is very competitive, the good vibe and friendliness are always there." And whilst this is 100% true, can I just put this out there without potentially ruffling too many feathers? ( and please, I am not directing this at anyone particular, more of a generalisation) What is it with people, who are club members, and in the contest, freesurfing the same bank that the contest is on during other people's heats?...

jedijunglsno said...

What is it with people, who are club members, and in the contest, freesurfing the same bank that the contest is on during other people's heats?...

Good call Simon. We also had to put the contest on hold a couple of times because I couldn't find any members to judge - they were all out free surfing.

Any pics Casso?

I saw some guy with a massive lenses there most of the day - I thought he might have been a 'staff photographer' for the mag

goatman said...

I saw some guy with a massive lenses there most of the day - I thought he might have been a 'staff photographer' for the mag

I am pretty sure you talking about mitchell galbraith who is a champ his blog is
mitchellgalbraith.blogspot.com/

great day as well guys, cool to catch up with you, and see such epic levels of surfing..

Legion said...

JB said...

... I was amazed at even being able stand on the board, little lone be comfortable at my weight.

Huh?

I think he meant "let alone" but mangled it

JB said...

Just like to add, this board would only be suited to experienced riders. Please note that all my comments relate to some one who is comfortable and riding at a high level on boards of this volume (<110ltrs).

Try it

JB

hi jb, yeah i didn't mean to be locking horns. i was just a little concerned. the board is sick. i watched the vid and the conditions i had it in were harder than that. the alley also gets a nasty backwash just to add to the fun. my opinion is for people to make sure of it in a few different wave setups and conditions. you look cool on it. to surf the alley i have to think about paddling up the point, wind, onshore chop, sweeps and backwash. also, it can get crowded- can i get out of other people's way quickly and safely
cheers
ps wait till you get some waves on the board

I also paddled a new brand 7'6 x 29" board that had about the same stability, if not a touch better


G' Day Mark just wondering if the board your talking about here is the 7'6 Kai Mana? I caught up with the guy who imports them and told him about the supsa day.
just wondering what you think of the board is it worth a look for guys that like that short sup feel.

cheers

Marty

All good LL, I have ridden the alley many times, and know it can kick you off on an 11' board (esp. after a few beers) at times. I hope to get some good session on the 8'4" soon.

Outside of all the spell checks, thesauruses and grammer analysis. The board is very stable for a 8'4". PLus it makes me feel lighter cause I'm riding a board that's only 8'4".

Like everything, Demo, Demo, Demo ......... That's what they're there for! (how's that for grammer rookies).

JB

What does the 8'4 and fins weigh?

Mitchell has posted just a few shots from the weekend.

mitchellgalbraith.blogspot.com/