i read a lot here about the new glides and the LE 14'x26'', but has anyone tested the new narrow LE yet?
i would be very interested, because we in switzerland have not seen any testboards yet.. Especially on how it handles flat water (less rocker in the nose) and if it really handles up to 180lb/82kg of rider weight at 224lt volume.
so if anyone has information please let me know!
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Do you mean the 14 x 23 LE [Lenny board]
exactly ;) (it's not that narrow, it's 23 1/8" )
Select to expand quotetheswiss said..
Thanks! 
but these are the 2013, not the 2014, aren't they?
Yes.. But I'm pretty sure they are the same shape.. Just slightly different graphics and deck pad.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Yes.. But I'm pretty sure they are the same shape.. Just slightly different graphics and deck pad.
this is what i feared, i hoped for the announced change in the nose section to make the board faster in flat water.
how was the 2013 in terms of rider weight? no problem for "medium sized" guys like me? (188cm/80kg)
the 12'6 of last year (~200 liter) felt more like a submarine to me..
Select to expand quotetheswiss said..
how was the 2013 in terms of rider weight? no problem for "medium sized" guys like me? (188cm/80kg)
the 12'6 of last year (~200 liter) felt more like a submarine to me..
IMO.. It is a problem for medium size paddlers unless you have very good skills and/or it's not too choppy.
The new X26 is a much better board IMO.. (Both 12'6" and 14')
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..theswiss said..
how was the 2013 in terms of rider weight? no problem for "medium sized" guys like me? (188cm/80kg)
the 12'6 of last year (~200 liter) felt more like a submarine to me..
IMO.. It is a problem for medium size paddlers unless you have very good skills and/or it's not too choppy.
The new X26 is a much better board IMO.. (Both 12'6" and 14')
okay, given european inland conditions (flat or small chop) and my body, can the x26 keep up with the starboard sprint 24 and jp flatwater race 24.5? the x26 is more a DW board than a flatwater racer, isn't it?
Hi Swiss, I'm also not quite sure if the LE23 is exactly the same, but if there are changes they'd be absolutely minor. I'm a couple kg's heavier than you and for me the x26 is much more stable and faster in flatwater than the 23. I think this is partly because I sink the 23 too much and despite the board being narrower I feel it glides a little less. It accelerates really well on each paddle stroke but then it slows down quite quickly again. The x26 just seems to glide a little longer between paddlestrokes for me. I still think the 23 might be faster but that I'm just not fit enough to keep a high enough cadence. Lighter fitter riders fly on the 23.
I've done tons of timetrials on the 23 and the MC Javelin and I'm faster on the MC - I've only done one TT on the x26 and my initial feeling is that it's virtually on par with MC.....and downwind its just a weapon!
On paper the SB Sprint should be a little faster than the 23 which is a hybrid, but there wouldn't be much in it. Kai Lenny still wins races on it....
