Rider: Weight 78 kg
Level (intermediate)
Style: Surf
Weather: 14-20 knots
Build Quality: 9/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: (Self purchase)

My Comments:

Initial impression: For a 150 by 40 cm twintip this board is really light ~ 3.7kg.
It has a different undersurface with a large concave and single fins on either side.
The construction is similar to snowboard, strong and compact.

The main purpose for me was to get a moderate/light wind board that would handle chop well and turn on waves really well. This board achieves all of that. It is also highly efficient at getting upwind heel or toeside. It's toeside performance is really impressive.

The Ocean Rodeo boards are not as popular as some in Aus, I think this is probably more so due to a lack of marketing and only one distributor in Melbourne.
If you do a search on kiteforum.com, you will see rave reviews from all around the world.

Sure it's not for everyone, but for those looking for a capable wave orientated twintip it's worth considering.

http://www.oceanrodeo.com/kiting/mako_freeride

would like to try one of these - but as you said only way to try OR stuff is to buy from melbourne

West Oz Kiteboarding in WA sells Ocean Rodeo gear. Give Jason a call on 0411 510 514. He may be able to get you one.

www.westozkiteboarding.com.au

Cheers
Graham

Not anymore they dont - U.S dollar stops them buying OR stuff. :( I still get OR gear from www.kitesurfdirect.com.au in melbourne.

Have now had some more time on this board, it seriously is impressive in the surf
Had it out in 20 knots with a 7m kite and it was going upwind as good as a surfboard. It carves extremely well and plains through lulls. Gave it to a Euro friend who has been kiting in waves for 7 years(twintip style), he usually uses a custom wave twintip. Anyhow to my surprise he loved the Mako and is keen to order one. According to some on kiteforum.com it has even been used strapless. Anyhow hopefully another shop in WA can get some in for demo.

Mal in melbourne can get them in 4-6 weeks wait time they are around $900 AU.

Outstanding boards without a doubt ! If anyone is coming to Asia i have some for sale ... Mako Wide 150x40 and the new Mako wide 140x40 ... the 150's better for large guys, the 140's for average size/smaller guys ... really, you gotta try these boards to believe 'em ... the huge concave is the key - it sort of reminds of me of the ol' surfing days when Ando brought out the thruster compared to single fins... huge difference ...

By the way ... the Mako wide 140x40's are 2009 stock ... they come with the new super comfy 'Bliss' pads (i think they are made by Liquid Force) ...