Yes me and a few other guys demo'ed it today along with the 7'3 and 9'0. All good reports very goOd infact. I will do a review tomorrow if I get some time.
jacko
Yeah I surfed it this morning on a real sweet glassy day with Jacko and Stevo.
I am 92kgs and was riding the new 9'0 Hokua and swapped down to the new 8'5.
After doubting whether or not I could stand on it, I was surprised that it was as bad as I thought.
A few wobbles later, I caught a nice one and it surfed like a shortboard with a paddle in your hand.
This board is very fast and loose!!
Highly recommend it 
I am not normally a big Naish fan
, but these 2 boards are defiantly on the money for performance and finish, so much so I bought the 9'0 Hakua!
Both well worth a demo.
Waz
, but these 2 boards are defiantly on the money for performance and finish, so much so I bought the 9'0 Hakua!
is jacko putting some mind altering substances in your water or somthing
, but these 2 boards are defiantly on the money for performance and finish, so much so I bought the 9'0 Hakua!
My other board was a 8'10 x 29 x 4.25.
The board wasn't as pulled in as the Naish but still had low rails.
It is do able put you will feel it in your legs and a calm day will definetly help!
Waz
just rode the 8'5 this morning in 2ft, fun, clean waves, there was a bit of current and the odd cross wave so conditions were a little less than perfect. im 82 kgs and usually ride an 8'10 naish. found the 8'5 a little beyond my ability when standing and paddling but it did catch waves easier than the 8'10 and had more drive as well. really liked the concave deck. tried the 9'0 as well and this was more my style.
Lacey, It was those chocy muffins few months back that we feed to al of you LOL.
Can't wait to try out the 8'5!!!
XX
