Had my first serious paddle on the new NSP 12.6 race board this morning.
Headed off from Dodges ferry into a side on 15kt wind with a side on 2ft atrocious wind swell - yes, it was totally shlt conditions !!
I was intending to just paddles parallel to 7 mile beach for an hour or so and then return, but the side slop and wind made is almost impossible so I decided to kinda tack out to sea and back into the shore which let me paddle upwind directly and then almost downwind into the beach and so on for an hour and a half.
My biggest suprise was that I managed to stay on the board the entire time and as such stayed perfectly dry, in what ended up being the roughest, crappiest water I have ever been on on a sup. The board was amazing into the wind/chop and never once felt like it was gunna spit me off and it very smoothly ploughed through the waves and wash. Where I was totally blown away was with how stable the board was, side-on to the quite nasty conditions and I really never felt like I was going to fall off.
Very very impressed with the board and looking forward to getting further out to sea and into some bigger and proper downwind conditions.
Very solid feel, super stable, easily as fast or faster than any other race type board I have paddled and exceptional value for money.
Bill
Oh - and before the usual knobs start up - YES I own the board/paid for it mysel/am not getting anything for saying nice things about it AND I really do love it and plan to keep it.
I agree.. These new NSP's are very good.. All three of them.. 12' .. 12'6" .. and 14' .. Especially the Coco Matt versions... The grips look a bit on the smooth side but I've never slipped.
DJ
Paddled the little beastie offshore to our secret surf spot this arvo. About 30 mins paddlimg each way with a 30 min surf at the halfway point. Nice little headwind going down with very clean conditions and the board just flew. In the waist high waves the board was fast and responsive and very easy to stall or kick out in the shorebreak.
On the way home with a slight tail wind I really got sme good speed and glide happening, however I really prefer running upwind on this board - its soooo fast and fun and punching through waves is so safe and predictable - unlike any 12.6 Ive ever paddled - MAGIC !
Lacey - any pussy can paddle with the wind blowing them along - and you know Ive never been one to comply !!
Riverider - due to the fact that I surf there way more than you "locals" I am claiming "our" status - so buggaroff !! (see u at bakery early sat for a surf)
