by Silver Surfer » Thu Dec 06, 2007 4:49 pm
I see you originally posted in Jan so this may be a bit late . . . . but for what its worth i got the 10'2" version of the same board and it rocks! OK so I'm a big guy so need a big board not to mention its a lot easier to paddel, stand up etc. But its actually quite manuverable when you get up! Leaning the rails into the water and looking where you want to go makes it turn relatively easily. BEST thing is you find yourself catching loads more waves than other surfers! My brothers a lot smaller / lighter and he loves it too. Its not too big for him. Its also "indestructable", so when the tides coming in at Fistral and you glide those long waves right onto the beach as your so stoked, you forget, and your suddenly having to jump off in 1 foot of water and the poor board gets pummeled in the shore break! Ooops, carelss of me yes, but its fine, even after that! (Dont try this at home folks).
Generally they seem quite well made too, so if your on a budget they should be the answer.
Only downside is slight delamination where my back foot is (this IS an OLD board and my feet are size 12) and it dioesnt quite fit in the back of an estate car without the fin poking out.
So I guess if your a bit shorter and lighter than me (6'4" and 18 stone) then the 9 foot should be perfect for you! I'd definately recommend it. Get a good second hand one, you'll save loads of money!