Kai Sallas Camper 9’6” Thunderbolt

[Nikos]

Hi guys and girls

Has anyone rode the 9’6” Camper by Kai Sallas?
I m looking for a board to go out on beach breaks mostly on 2-3 ft days maybe with the odd 4ft set.
The waves I’m thinks of, are not particularly hollow.
I’m thinking of the the In The Pink at 9’6” from Surftech, but I’m quite intrigued by thunderbolt constructions and especially The Camper.
The guy who shaped The Camper (Tommy Mays) apparently worked for 15 years with Donald Takayama and has legendary status among the people who have used his boards.
I’m 43yo so I’m looking for a board that paddles well and catches waves easily.
I also want to improve my nose riding a bit.

Any thoughts to contribute ?

Cheers
Nikos

[waikikikichan]

I m looking for a board to go out on beach breaks mostly on 2-3 ft days maybe with the odd 4ft set.

2-3 foot Hawaiian or California wave height scale ? Maybe if you could please clarify by saying waist, chest, shoulder, head, over head sized waves.

I’m 43yo so I’m looking for a board that paddles well and catches waves easily.

I'm 53yo. Do you know of any board that manufacturers advertise as does not paddle well and is not able to catch waves ?

I also want to improve my nose riding a bit.

If you're able to noseride already, what part of your current noseriding technique needs improvement ?

[Nikos]

Good points WaikikiChan
I will mostly surf waist high waves with the odd bigger set
You're absolutely right about board manufacturers misrepresenting, that's why I'm asking in the forum.
To be honest I am shuffling only at the moment, and want a board that will give me an incentive to improve.
[I'm also practising on dry land, but I want a board that will help a bit]
I have two other longboards and want to get something that will bridge the gap between them
I ride a 9'0" The Don for chest high days and a Mickey Munoz 11ft glider for extra small
Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[waikikikichan]

You're absolutely right about board manufacturers misrepresenting, that's why I'm asking in the forum.

All boards made by reputable manufacturers CAN / can NOT paddle well and catch waves. It is up to the user to make it perform. Surfboards have no potential on their own, same as a baseball bat, paint brush, piano or even a computer.
But to be honest, the worst board I've had to paddle was the .............. Donald Takayama In-The-Pink. I hate that board with a passion. For the beach break waves we have here in Japan, I use the Donald Takayama model made for these type of waves.

To be honest I am shuffling only at the moment, and want a board that will give me an incentive to improve.

If you are Shuffling, you will never be able to noseride properly. Until you break that habit, there is no board that can help you. You have to learn how to Cross-Step first. Just take off the side bite and use only a single fin on your "The Don" board. You can walk fine on that board.

[Nikos]

Thanks WaikikiChan!

Certainly, the gear doesn't make the athlete but I have seen a huge change in my surfing when I moved from a cheap and heavy 9'2 PU to the Don.
The 11ft helped me very much to understand and learn to carve.
I believe that you get to understand the mechanics of surfing when you observe differences in the way you surf different boards.

I've borrowed twice a friends 9'3 ITP in a small local wave and it was paddling very well.
It was turning well too.
I have heard other people having a similar opinion with your though.

I just want some extra volume than the current 65 I have and a bit more length.
I'm sure I will increase my wavecount on mid sized days this way.
Hence my quest to find a new board.

I looked up the Model T you mentioned.
There is only one in the surf sotres here in NZ and it costs $2300

Do you have any other boards at 9'6 to suggest?

[waikikikichan]

I looked up the Model T you mentioned.
There is only one in the surf sotres here in NZ and it costs $2300

Do you have any other boards at 9'6 to suggest?

Ooohh, Model T's aren't meant for beach breaks, but I guess if you want to nose ride ?

If you can find a Hobie Peter Pan Slug 9'6", that board is a wave hog. You can catch anything on that.

[voyager]

Ditto - Hobie 9' 6" !

I used one in Sri Lanka for about a week and it was one of the best boards I've ever set foot on.
Unfortunately they are rare as rocking horse s**t here in the UK, otherwise I would have been sorely tempted.

[surferfamily]

Did you find out any useful info on the Camper in the end? What did you eventually decide on?

I had a 9’ Don for awhile but found it a bit difficult to get going on the Auckland East Coast waves. We then had two NSP Sleep Walkers (9’4 & 9’8) which have been great on these waves, but looking for something with a little more performance from the tail for the occasional beach breaks.

Curious to what you decided on.