Been thinking for some time about a new board(s). Sort of out of the newbie stage ( enjoying the challenge of small surf) and thinking about a suitable board or boards for riding in slop / waves. I don't really want a board to boost, mainly to jump the waves and swell, and to carve turns. From what I have read here I was heading towards shinn monk/ speedball combo or ocean rodeo mako 150 and 160. The speedball ? monk combo seem they may provide a good powered /light wind combo.
Currently 97 kegs(will vary) and appreciate any feedback.
Cheers
Matt

The Monk is best suited to aggressive riding, tricking etc but not so much in waves unless you are always charging through hard & using the waves as lumps rather than 'surfing' the wave. Dundee boosts at least as well as any high end freeride board but handles sloppy choppy conditions better than the Monk & with more smooth action.
Speedball is a niche board - neither a true TT or skimboard but somewhere in between. Great lightwind option for big guys as its way smaller than they could normally ride as a regular TT.

Makos totally different. Only good as lightwind boards once you are up & planing. They dont get going early - specially in LW conditions but their size makes them as functional as any comparable sized LW once you are going.
They are awesome in conditions you describe. Not huge on pop but they love playing on the lumps and turning on a Mako is an absolute head spinner. They are also super valuable as they do work as a TT & even on TT setting they wave ride like no other regular TT. Set up as a mutant and you can ride them like a surfboard on the wave face. Without the volume of cf a surfboard they are not for 'park & ride' kite surfing but if. like most, your time on the wave is kite powered then the Mako is a performer.

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Gumble said...
[br]Been thinking for some time about a new board(s). Sort of out of the newbie stage ( enjoying the challenge of small surf) and thinking about a suitable board or boards for riding in slop / waves. I don't really want a board to boost, mainly to jump the waves and swell, and to carve turns. From what I have read here I was heading towards shinn monk/ speedball combo or ocean rodeo mako 150 and 160. The speedball ? monk combo seem they may provide a good powered /light wind combo.
Currently 97 kegs(will vary) and appreciate any feedback.
Cheers
Matt

Your general wind strengths are hugely important in the boards mentioned, also kite model,

and don't forget to try different straps on your board
they're hugely important
I thought the shinn monk was a dud ride
but put a set of naish apex pads on there and you've got yourself a winner.
that said, the monk is not for you

demo

Thanks, I appreciate the replies.
Now the monks off the list, just a few questions on the speedball and the mako's.
Currently ride griffin TRX 12 and 9- 2013. I don't get great low end from the 12 ( more operator error than kite) but ok from 18 kn and up, and the 9 from 26 up.
Just wondering if the speedball would also be ok in light wind with say a17m as well as hard charger in good wind or would I still need alight wind board.
Also would a mako 150/165 combo be a viable option.
once again , thanks.
Matt

I ride the speed ball with a 17 m Ozone edge and in light wind and its an awsome set up for free riding .I weigh 85 pies and at 10 knots I can get going and when 14 hits mate its air time alright.The speed ball is nicer in the waves than a normal tt because of its of its curved edges which makes it carve so much nicer than a tt.
It has a fairly flat rocker which gives it its light wind capabilitys of early planing and speed.Ive never had dramas on any tt tackling waves head on any twin tip and the speedball is no exception.You still need to keep the weight on the back foot.
For the first part of the summer in perth I was riding the speedball with a 7 m kite .I have recently gone onto riding surfboards and its the ultimate when your in the waves for wave riding ,but the speed ball is a big air machine for geting upside-down and trying new tricks in the air in lighter wind without worrying about snaping the surfboard.
I also have the shinn mutant which is in between the speedball and a surfboard.Its basically shaped like a tiny surfboard ,but you can still ride it backwards if you need to as it has tt fins at the front.Its a shame mr shinn stoped making them as are fantastic in the light wind.Almost surfboard like on the wave ,but sublime for wave freestyle as the are so quick and easy to rip around in the air.
Speed ball will be easier till you get your toeside riding upto scratch and is no slouch in the waves a good allround free ride board which is so comfortable to ride.
Shinn mutant is better on the wave face and better for smashing waves on the way out for some boost time.Its longer surfboard shaped nose means you can really smash over the white wash with more pace.
Riding it backwards takes a bit of practice ,but this will force you to ride it toeside.
I found mine on seabreeze a couple of years ago for $400.They come up every now and then.Keep an eye out for one.
Best thing to do is demo heaps of boards till you find one that suits your style and level.

didn't buy the speedball as our winds are generally strong but at times I wish I had , its a perfect big bloke small kite or lightwind big kite option, do the maths on its surface area compared to your longer lw board, I rode it for 2 weeks on my zephyr 2011 17mtr and had a great time, id say its more suited to onshore slop and waves rather than constant flat water, super smooth in ride and carves and effortless in switching, it for me wasn't a one board quiver but our wind conditions dictate that, worth a run though especially if your on the bigger build

Thanks again for the replies Diamond and Cauncy,
The thing that got me about the speedy was the big long arc carves on shinn website. It was what got me thinking about the speedy.
Now its time to demo!!
Once again, thanks all , much appreciated.
Matt

Hey Matt, go try as many boards as you can and see what works best for you cause
there is more sharks here than out in that lovely great big ocean of ours... Or I mean someone's.....

13 14 knts on the speedball on the old zeph, great fun, or you could be sat at home watching home and away instead

Cauncy, that top pic was what got me looking at the speedball in the first place !!
If I can get going at 13 to 14 kn on a 17 , then I've just doubled my time on the water, which is what I'm trying to achieve.
Thanks for pics and reply.
Matt

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Gumble said..

Cauncy, that top pic was what got me looking at the speedball in the first place !!
If I can get going at 13 to 14 kn on a 17 , then I've just doubled my time on the water, which is what I'm trying to achieve.
Thanks for pics and reply.
Matt

they do 2 sizes the w16 and w 18 I was on the w18, a mako might also be worth a ride,