Finally got to try out the new JP 8-2 x 29 (actually closer to 28 than 29) in some fun chest high surf at Kirra. I'm coming down off my JP 8-6 x 29. First up these are two very different boards , the 8-6 has slight V bottom and fuller nose. The 8-2 has a double to single concave and a much more pulled in nose and slightly lesser tail width & increased bottom rocker.
The 8-6 is the little brother of the 8-10 & the 8-2 is the Big brother of the 8-0 x 27. First thing you notice when you pick it up Sh!t it's light and it feels small , but there is only about a 9 litre difference between the 8-2 & 6.
STABILITY
I jumped straight on the board and paddled out through the rip next to Kirra groyne which is pretty lumpy . First thing I noticed was the reduced nose area , this will affect your balance more than litres. I made it out the back without dropping in and adjusted my feet to a more surfer stance to find the sweet balance spot in the board. At 93kg's I reckon I'm pretty close to the limit for this board. After about 20min I settled into it and felt fairly comfortable in the cross shore wind. The 8-6 is noticably much more stable.
FINS
Both boards run the 2+1 fin system with zero cant or toe in the fins so they are dead straight. Best fin set I have found is the Jackosn Close thruster set (Shapers) S9 front and S9 rear set in middle of the box. Other riders use smaller fins but I like the drive out of these size fins.
SURFING
These boards surf so different , the extra rocker and much more pulled in nose give the 8-2 a far more dynamic turning ability , compared to the 8-6. You really notice this on the re-entry , you can absolutely smack it off the lip and land it with ease. That's where the narrow nose comes into play , it lets you drive super hard off the top and bottom which adds up to SPEED yes it's much faster than the 8-6 and surfs heaps better, but you do feel it more in the legs paddling around.
WHAT RIDERS
This is the perfect board for larger & smaller advanced riders who want a full blown performance board but can't drop down to the 8-0 x 27. If you are around my size you will need to have good balance otherwise this board is not for you.
SUMMARY
I love it and just loved the way it surfed , you just push so much harder. The added rocker is really noticable and when the narrow nose hits the lip or foam ball it doesn't rebound back like the wider nose on the 8-6 , you can drive back around instead of getting pushed back around , which all adds up to MORE SPEED.
The 8-2 will be in the next load of all the new JP's to hit our shores in mid to late July. There will also be the new 7-4 & 7-6 
sorry won't be able to review those.
Feel free to flick back some questions.
Hey Piros, don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of my JP, but Just thought I would add to your review since you forgot to add cons (all pros). Sweet boards but what's with the paint on the rails, it chips so easily. They aint cheap boards, for the money you would think they could sort it out.
Select to expand quoteCam Gillies said..
Hey Piros, don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of my JP, but Just thought I would add to your review since you forgot to add cons (all pros). Sweet boards but what's with the paint on the rails, it chips so easily. They aint cheap boards, for the money you would think they could sort it out.
On my JP the only paint that chips is the orange paint that is over the base silver. The silver does not seem to chip. Cosmetic mate. Best thing to do is probably just take the orange off.
I'll take the paint chips for the performance gained with these boards.
Select to expand quotedabigman said..Cam Gillies said..
Hey Piros, don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of my JP, but Just thought I would add to your review since you forgot to add cons (all pros). Sweet boards but what's with the paint on the rails, it chips so easily. They aint cheap boards, for the money you would think they could sort it out.
On my JP the only paint that chips is the orange paint that is over the base silver. The silver does not seem to chip. Cosmetic mate. Best thing to do is probably just take the orange off.
I'll take the paint chips for the performance gained with these boards.
I agree it's only cosmetic and yeh boards are sweet............ but why bother putting the orange on if it's gunna chip off
Cam I did forget to mention that the these were the Pro boards (composite Construction) and I didn't mention anything about the chipping as there was none on Jacksons board at all and it has no rail tape. My 8-6 has been beaten to death for over a year but has rail tape and is still in incredibly good shape not one ding or a depression, yes there is some chipping near the tail in the orange but thats where I have repeatly driven my paddle in on cut backs , as the others said nothing in the Silver. So why bother with the Orange , that's what actually makes these boards so fast..
but seriously I have past your comments on to the JP crew.
Select to expand quoteCam Gillies said...dabigman said..Cam Gillies said..
Hey Piros, don't get me wrong, I'm a massive fan of my JP, but Just thought I would add to your review since you forgot to add cons (all pros). Sweet boards but what's with the paint on the rails, it chips so easily. They aint cheap boards, for the money you would think they could sort it out.
On my JP the only paint that chips is the orange paint that is over the base silver. The silver does not seem to chip. Cosmetic mate. Best thing to do is probably just take the orange off.
I'll take the paint chips for the performance gained with these boards.
I agree it's only cosmetic and yeh boards are sweet............ but why bother putting the orange on if it's gunna chip off
Gotta agree with Cam here. I love my 9'2 Pro. It's the most exciting board I've ridden. But that orange paint is extremely brittle. Was very surprised at how many chips I had after my first surf.
Hey Piros,
Are any changes/tweaks being made to the current 9'2, 8'10 & 8'6 shapes?
Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
Hey Piros,
Are any changes/tweaks being made to the current 9'2, 8'10 & 8'6 shapes?
Staying the same in those sizes and also the 9'6".
