No time to paddle yet but post some initial thoughts in the next few days.

NSP 2018 Race Beasts! Ninjas, Sonics and Pumas!
Don't just look, don't just touch, come in and take them for a spin!

NSP 2018 Race! Sneak preview in Sydney this weekend!
WindsurfnSnow Watersports - Friday 9 June
Pittwater Race - Saturday 10 June
SUP 5.0 - Sunday 11 June

All people that visit and share their details will receive a complimentary All Access pass to Paddle Monster - to receive paddle tips and techniques from NSP's Travis Grant. If your not in sydney you can still get the All Access by simply private messaging us on NSP's facebook page.

A few quick pics from a little demo today.



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Thanks for the pics, any further updates/reviews?

What is the name of the model that *isn't* a clog, and what is it for/what sizes does it come in?

Puma I think

They look cool. Any news on the surf range? I could only find a teaser photo and it's looking good. Judging by what I've seen from the feedback of some owners, here is Portugal, these are probably the most durable and best value for money boards out there...

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bdinis said..
They look cool. Any news on the surf range? I could only find a teaser photo and it's looking good. Judging by what I've seen from the feedback of some owners, here is Portugal, these are probably the most durable and best value for money boards out there...

Believe it or not but I wrote the global brochure for NSP's 2018 SUP and surf range ....let's just say the Surf X boards look very tasty in the flesh but you'll have to wait for the offical release...

Stev0, do you have an email address for a real person at NSP please? I have an issue with an NSP DC raceboard and so far neither they nor Cobra have responded to emails sent to their generic contact addresses. PM me if you are more comfortable doing that. Thanks.

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Stev0 said..

bdinis said..
They look cool. Any news on the surf range? I could only find a teaser photo and it's looking good. Judging by what I've seen from the feedback of some owners, here is Portugal, these are probably the most durable and best value for money boards out there...

Believe it or not but I wrote the global brochure for NSP's 2018 SUP and surf range ....let's just say the Surf X boards look very tasty in the flesh but you'll have to wait for the offical release...

Any dates to be alert?

The range is pretty awesome this year. Alain and Trav have done a great job. Protos through to the finished range paddled well.

I am agonising about getting the Puma 14x26 or Sonic 14x25.5 as both look awesome. Was keen on the Sonic for flat/choppy water and moderate down winding but now thinking Puma for more all round use and flat deck is better for down winding and clambering back onboard.

Had a brief go on 23.5 Puma and 24 Sonic 14's, more paddling tomorrow but initial impressions are these are game changers as far as speed and catching swell. Sonic, in just a few minutes of paddling blew me away as far as catching smaller waves. I'll have a chance to paddle wider ones later this week.. Pretty exciting boards from NSP.

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Yardsale said..
Had a brief go on 23.5 Puma and 24 Sonic 14's, more paddling tomorrow but initial impressions are these are game changers as far as speed and catching swell. Sonic, in just a few minutes of paddling blew me away as far as catching smaller waves. I'll have a chance to paddle wider ones later this week.. Pretty exciting boards from NSP.

I've heard the phrase "game-changer" so often about SUP boards over the last 10 yrs that I'm surprised the game is still recogniseable.

But fair enough, that's your opinion. However, what are you comparing these new boards to? In what way do these boards "change the game" compared to, say, Starboard All Stars or Naish Malikos, or the ONE boards?

Apparently that flat bottom section to v-tail create stability with turn and burn kinda way. Has the board construction change much, the color combo is new.

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Area10 said..

Yardsale said..
Had a brief go on 23.5 Puma and 24 Sonic 14's, more paddling tomorrow but initial impressions are these are game changers as far as speed and catching swell. Sonic, in just a few minutes of paddling blew me away as far as catching smaller waves. I'll have a chance to paddle wider ones later this week.. Pretty exciting boards from NSP.

I've heard the phrase "game-changer" so often about SUP boards over the last 10 yrs that I'm surprised the game is still recogniseable.

But fair enough, that's your opinion. However, what are you comparing these new boards to? In what way do these boards "change the game" compared to, say, Starboard All Stars or Naish Malikos, or the ONE boards?

Ya sorry, that was kinda cliche. I was speaking within the NSP line up from 2017 to 2018... I paddled just over 4 miles today on the Puma 23.5, tomorrow I will take the Sonic 14 x 24 for a lap... I'll post some more later.

Had a chance to also paddle the 2018 14 x 26 Puma, 14 x 24 Sonic and then talk to Alain the designer. Puma and Sonic at 23.5" and 24" w respectively have the same rocker and bottom shape... but different nose volume. Sonic 24" wide for 2018 is more initially stable than 2017- I assume because of flat center section of hull.... but it's still tippy if your not used to NSP canoe style boards. Once up and rolling it sets in the water beautifully... catches any small bumps easily and has excellent top end when pushing. I think once you are used to leaning the Sonic over to where it sure's up, it becomes more comfortable to paddle. I loved this board. Puma 26" wide is of course more stable than the 23.5 (duh) has noticeably more nose volume and slightly more rocker... but less than the 2017 Puma. New Puma sits lower in the water at the handle so I'm guessing slightly less volume but I could be mistaken on that. I just noticed more water on the deck than I remember. For all around the 26" or 28" is the obvious choice if you're over 170 lbs or a less experienced paddler, but I have to say I loved the 23.5 for increased speed and how it sat in the water coming off the wind... In larger waves I'm sure I'd be wanting more width but one can fantasize. I'm sure I left out some stuff so please be gentle lol.

You must be in the hood, nice place
Your opinion Yardsale sounds about right on the sonic and puma. Did you try the ninja board too?

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Yardsale said..
Had a chance to also paddle the 2018 14 x 26 Puma, 14 x 24 Sonic and then talk to Alain the designer. Puma and Sonic at 23.5" and 24" w respectively have the same rocker and bottom shape... but different nose volume. Sonic 24" wide for 2018 is more initially stable than 2017- I assume because of flat center section of hull.... but it's still tippy if your not used to NSP canoe style boards. Once up and rolling it sets in the water beautifully... catches any small bumps easily and has excellent top end when pushing. I think once you are used to leaning the Sonic over to where it sure's up, it becomes more comfortable to paddle. I loved this board. Puma 26" wide is of course more stable than the 23.5 (duh) has noticeably more nose volume and slightly more rocker... but less than the 2017 Puma. New Puma sits lower in the water at the handle so I'm guessing slightly less volume but I could be mistaken on that. I just noticed more water on the deck than I remember. For all around the 26" or 28" is the obvious choice if you're over 170 lbs or a less experienced paddler, but I have to say I loved the 23.5 for increased speed and how it sat in the water coming off the wind... In larger waves I'm sure I'd be wanting more width but one can fantasize. I'm sure I left out some stuff so please be gentle lol.

What do you think the difference is between the Puma 14 x 26 and the Sonic 14 x 25.5?...I am going for one of the two but also have a Jimmy Lewis M-14 x28 as my downwind board and need to decide if I keep that or not. First world problems...

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Stev0 said..

Yardsale said..
Had a chance to also paddle the 2018 14 x 26 Puma, 14 x 24 Sonic and then talk to Alain the designer. Puma and Sonic at 23.5" and 24" w respectively have the same rocker and bottom shape... but different nose volume. Sonic 24" wide for 2018 is more initially stable than 2017- I assume because of flat center section of hull.... but it's still tippy if your not used to NSP canoe style boards. Once up and rolling it sets in the water beautifully... catches any small bumps easily and has excellent top end when pushing. I think once you are used to leaning the Sonic over to where it sure's up, it becomes more comfortable to paddle. I loved this board. Puma 26" wide is of course more stable than the 23.5 (duh) has noticeably more nose volume and slightly more rocker... but less than the 2017 Puma. New Puma sits lower in the water at the handle so I'm guessing slightly less volume but I could be mistaken on that. I just noticed more water on the deck than I remember. For all around the 26" or 28" is the obvious choice if you're over 170 lbs or a less experienced paddler, but I have to say I loved the 23.5 for increased speed and how it sat in the water coming off the wind... In larger waves I'm sure I'd be wanting more width but one can fantasize. I'm sure I left out some stuff so please be gentle lol.

What do you think the difference is between the Puma 14 x 26 and the Sonic 14 x 25.5?...I am going for one of the two but also have a Jimmy Lewis M-14 x28 as my downwind board and need to decide if I keep that or not. First world problems...

Was not able to try the 25.5 Sonic, NSP was supposed to ship one for the Gorge Paddle Challenge but for whatever reason it didn't get here. I can say the 26" Puma was a favorite of several paddlers at the demo, really stable and reasonable speed. Alain won his division in the down wind race paddling the Puma 26 wide, that guy is really fast for his age (conditions were not ideal with wind in the upper teens and smaller river swell.) Can't really advise you on which to get... I would spend some time paddling a dugout before deciding, I think the benefit of a taller rail in down wind conditions might become more apparent with experience. The NSP team guys explained the tall rail as such- it allows you to lay the board over and utilize more surface area for surfing. Seems to make sense in theory ... if you are skilled enough to take advantage.

So, the Sonic catches the smaller bumps better than the Puma, can we assume that? I am also very curious to know the difference between these two boards. I want to use the board for medium downwind days (15-20 knots) and all around conditions. I am more interested in those 24 or 23?5 wide boards.

Picked up the 2018 NSP 14' x 26" Puma from Sup Central in O'Connor on Friday. Had a few paddles on flat ocean conditions, it's a light board at 10 kilos & super easy to paddle. Looking forward to a decent DWer.

Looks like a really nice board.

The bottom design looks the same as the Sonic

very nice Maxeeboy and keep us posted

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Maxeeboy said..
The bottom design looks the same as the Sonic

It is, Puma has slightly more rocker.

After paddling the 2018's and the 2017 Sonic I took a chance and ordered a 14 x 24" 2017 Puma. I based it on my preference of the round bottom shape (vs 2018 with the flat) on the 2017 Sonic and 2016 Surf Race. It was also on sale so price wise it made sense as well. After paddling it for a month I have to say I made a great decision.... the Puma 24 wide is light, fast and great in flat to rough water. I've paddle a few boards that are faster on flats... but none that have as much capability in varied conditions in a narrow width. This board is quite different from the 26 wide 2017 Puma which feels huge in comparison - I would classify that board as primarily a downwind board. I should also mention I like being challenged and developing my skills so the narrow width keeps me interested in strong current and quartering waves. I'm ecstatic about this board.

Hi. I am a sup surfer but looking to start down winding. There is a used 2018 NSP Sonic 14' x 24" that has come up for sale. At 70kg am I going to struggle on a board this narrow? I will be able to do a test on flat water but that likely won't tell me about stability in high wind and chop. Thanks. Bob

Hey, If you have good surf balance you might be ok on the Sonic 14/24 at 70kg as they are more stable for 2018. I am 85kg and have had an earlier model 14/24.75" with the very rolled bottom shape and did a few 10km downwinders on that but a bit too tippy for me. I find going downwind is ok it is when you deal with cross chop or have to paddle across the wind to start or get back to shore when tired you will feel the tipyiness. I would get the 2018 Sonic 14/26 for myself but have a Jimmy Lewis M-14 14/28" which is super comfy.

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Stev0
might be ok on the Sonic 14/24 at 70kg as they are more stable for 2018.shape and did a few 10km downwinders on that but a bit too tippy for me.

Thanks StevO
i decided that I had better start a bit wider. Beautiful board but not ready for 24"

Bob

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FRP said..

Stev0
might be ok on the Sonic 14/24 at 70kg as they are more stable for 2018.shape and did a few 10km downwinders on that but a bit too tippy for me.

Thanks StevO
i decided that I had better start a bit wider. Beautiful board but not ready for 24"

Bob

Fair enough. I have chopped down to the extreme edges of my stability on surf and race SUPs and then pulled back. Comfort, stability and fun became the deciding factors.