Here's the last one. Same board, different session/conditions.

Pambula Beach
29 Nov 08

Board: Oxbow 9’6” Pilot
Conditions: Medium cross-offshore wind. Fast, chest high waves.

I’d only ridden this board once before in pretty ordinary, closing out waves but I could tell its potential. I was keen to give it another burn so when this demo board became free and I spotted it sitting on the beach - I jumped at the chance to jump on it.

Paddling out, I had flashbacks to the first time I rode it. It’s a bit rocky. I’m thinking the pulled in nose equates to this. Once you get the feel for it though, you can tame it somewhat.

Paddling isn’t his board’s strength ... surfing is. My first wave was a clean chest high screamer. It was really nice to be on a smaller board for this wave. I pumped it down the line to generate speed (I can’t do that on my 11 footer), made the section then threw it around into an arcing cutback (I can’t do that on my 11 footer either). A little reo on the close out and then some of those little bottom turn/floater combos as I rode the white water for a bit. Very nice.

I caught plenty of waves this session, many of them quite good for my ability (I’ve only been riding for 8 months). A few big re-entries into a steep drop, down the face, surprised me - I thought I’d definitely be diving for lobsters but the pulled in nose and just enough nose lift allowed me to avoid nose diving.

I fell a couple of times while standing out the back, for no apparent reason (you know those demoralising moments?) but its performance on the wave easily outweighed those embarrassments.

Overall: A bit tricky to balance on but awesome performance when you’re on a fast, steep wave.

Highs:
- Radical performer in performance waves
- Great looking board (planshape and graphics)
- Comes in CyberSUP.com green!
- One of the cheaper boards on the market

Lows:
- Hard to balance on - especially for beginners

Hi everyone!
This is Aurelie and Fred the French tandem & stand up paddle surfers.

MAMBO MERIMBULA CLASSIC VIDEO Part 1 is online !




direct link: nalu-surf.com/fisheye.php?ID_Video=16

That is unreal , thanks for the effort ......MORE < MORE < MORE !!

Im there next year for sure.

Rich

MAMBO MERIMBULA CLASSIC Part 2 is ONLINE !!!



Direct link here: nalu-surf.com/fisheye.php?ID_Video=17

Yeah Casso I would love to know your thoughts on the Naish 9-6 it wasn't on your list personally i think it's a easy board for the person dropping down...but maybe it's a touch too much volume for such a short board....thats just my opinion but I would value your opinion on it.

Rob

Thanks Fred... Great job with the vids.

DJ

Sorry boys, I don't want to recommend one board over another. I don't even like comparing them to each other. You'll have to read each review individually and create you own opinion. Try reading the main points in my reviews and relate them back to your own requirements.

Everyone is different and everyone surfs different types of waves. If I were to suggest one thing and you didn't like it - I'd feel partially to blame.

The best thing to do is look/read around, develop a short list (2 or 3 boards) then find a SUP shop(s) where you can demo them. Then, hopefully, it'll be obvious which one is for you.

Hey Mac and Rob - have a look at my review of the Naish 9'6" here: www.CyberSUP.com/review2.html

BTW - I can't even make up my own mind on what board to get next!

Good stuff Rob if you can ride a narrow board thats great, Psh have a wider 9 6" than the naish, it is called the 9 6" wide All Arounder 29 3/8 x4 5/8 which I think looks a great board. There is not a hell of a lot of difference in size between the 9 6" ripper & 9 6" naish either.

nice photos hay

shame that i cant find out who the other dude that was taking photos in front of the line up is around the time you guys paddled out

must have been a big lens to take a nice pic like that from that distance

the missus is still searching the net to find more

found one of my early vids of me when i first started to sup on supsurfmag.com (crack me up)