Previously posted on here about a 'transition' board to get me from my 9'5 JL Striker to my 8'9 Pro Wave. (76kgs. Good paddler but LEARNING waves.) One of the boards recommended was an 8'10 Flow. Is there a huge difference in stability between the 8'7 and 8'10? I know it's all about practice, but will be taking the board to Lombok and don't wanna spend my wave days swimming? Also would a Pocket Rocket be an option?

Well, I have an 8'7 Flow and have had it for years now. To me it's a keeper... My freind bought an 8'10 at the same time I bought my 8'7 and I guess we were at similar progress point (I had an 8'10 Speeed at the time too) anyway to me the 8'7 is much more of a useable and flicky board in pretty much any waves. It copes with big drops, but I think it excels in shoulder/waist high and lower powered waves. Why? Well I think it's got a great volume spread, the tail is wider than a pin tail and carries a bit more volume, which is both ideal if you are heavy back footed or are happier with a bit of float when you need it.
I did have a go on the 8'10, and I felt it was a bit big and a bit stiff. But my mate loved it and we're about the same weight, but I just like smaller boards so maybe I am biased.
I like the way the Flow works, it can be ridden softly and tame, or a bit slashy and turny. I switch from Quad to Thruster quite regularly to get the best out of it and I swapped out the stock fins for some PCC7 Quad/Thruster set.

They're a popular board for good reason.

But it's hard to offer up an opinion when I don't really know what you are looking for.

Theres quite a few of us on here that have Flows, maybe they will be along soon to add their views.

HTHs.

Oh, I'm 79-82kg and 182cm

I've had both boards ,kept the 8'7 .the 8,10 is for bigger blokes ,as sunnyboy said its a good throw around board the 8'7
you might want to look at the 8'7 placid ,its a bit easier to use than the 8,7 flow if you are 95 kgs like me .it also has a tighter turning radius ,
and if you are worried about stability the placid is 31,5 wide vs 30,25 8'7 flow ,so easier to balance ..the 130 .8,10 flow is 31,something .

I'm 72kg and have a 8'7" flow. It's very stable.

I stepped down from a 10' noserider and onto the 8'7 flow as my first performance type sup. The guy in the shop suggested either the 8'10 or the 8'7, I went for the 8'7 and glad I did, in my mind I have no doubt the 8'10 would have been too much board.

Freo geezer? Are you Freo? Can set you up for paddle of my flow if you want to try it..

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goofy said..
I'm 72kg and have a 8'7" flow. It's very stable.

I stepped down from a 10' noserider and onto the 8'7 flow as my first performance type sup. The guy in the shop suggested either the 8'10 or the 8'7, I went for the 8'7 and glad I did, in my mind I have no doubt the 8'10 would have been too much board.

Freo geezer? Are you Freo? Can set you up for paddle of my flow if you want to try it..

Hi Goofy,
Yep, I am in Freo. Would be very cool to have a float on your 8'7. Will PM you.
Have caught waves on my Striker. I am a beginner. Had some good coaching. I do practice pivot turns and surf stance on the flat and have grasped that.
As stated got 5 days of suitable waves in Lombok in a couple of months to really have a crack at it. Need a sub 9' board and need
something stable enough. My balance is better than average. (IMHO).
A mate's offered a used Pocket Rocket. Doesn't seem like there's much love for that.
Cheers for the input.

My call is that the 8.10 would definitely work for learning waves.......... however the 8.7 suits your weight.

If you have the time before Lombok to get in a good 6 - 8 sessions then maybe the 8.7 as there's no doubt you will eventually progress to that size, however I'm a big believer in smaller steps for keeping the fun factor in sup surfing as you learn.

There's been more than one occasion that I have gone down in size, then gone back up a notch to improve my skills before revisiting the smaller board..

So, if you're the type who likes to progress steadily, get the bigger board, knowing you will undoubtably go smaller later, but if you're more of a "jump in the deep end" sort of guy and don't mind a bit of struggle to get better go straight to the 8.7.

The 8.10 Flow is more stable than the Pocket Rocket... The 8.7 Flow is probably similar to your Prowave in stability though Sunovas in general feel different to Fanatics on the water.

Cheers

Best thing to do is bring your Fanatic down and paddle it back to back to with the Flow.

Very different shapes/outline.

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The Gambler said..
My call is that the 8.10 would definitely work for learning waves.......... however the 8.7 suits your weight.

If you have the time before Lombok to get in a good 6 - 8 sessions then maybe the 8.7 as there's no doubt you will eventually progress to that size, however I'm a big believer in smaller steps for keeping the fun factor in sup surfing as you learn.

There's been more than one occasion that I have gone down in size, then gone back up a notch to improve my skills before revisiting the smaller board..

So, if you're the type who likes to progress steadily, get the bigger board, knowing you will undoubtably go smaller later, but if you're more of a "jump in the deep end" sort of guy and don't mind a bit of struggle to get better go straight to the 8.7.

The 8.10 Flow is more stable than the Pocket Rocket... The 8.7 Flow is probably similar to your Prowave in stability though Sunovas in general feel different to Fanatics on the water.

Cheers

Cheers Gambler,
Totally hear you. After my initial post about the Pro Wave I took it out and messed about in flattish water, pivoting and paddling. I've got to grips with it in flat water, but I know 5 days in Lombok will be a step too far now. 'Fun' is the key word here. Was hoping the 8'7 would be a step up in stability. That said gonna take up Goofy's offer and paddle them both to compare.
100% gonna keep that Pro Wave. My goal is to one day 'rip' that bad boy!
I'm 56. Last year I caught my first proper wave in Portugal on a 150Ltr Sunover Soul. Recently caught a few on my 9'5 Striker and loving it. Sometimes I beat myself up about not getting the 8'11. But I really dig that board. I use it for heaps of messing around and not just surfing.
Just gotta find that 'inbetweener' that offers progression and stability and gets my wave count up.

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Freogeezer said..

The Gambler said..
My call is that the 8.10 would definitely work for learning waves.......... however the 8.7 suits your weight.

If you have the time before Lombok to get in a good 6 - 8 sessions then maybe the 8.7 as there's no doubt you will eventually progress to that size, however I'm a big believer in smaller steps for keeping the fun factor in sup surfing as you learn.

There's been more than one occasion that I have gone down in size, then gone back up a notch to improve my skills before revisiting the smaller board..

So, if you're the type who likes to progress steadily, get the bigger board, knowing you will undoubtably go smaller later, but if you're more of a "jump in the deep end" sort of guy and don't mind a bit of struggle to get better go straight to the 8.7.

The 8.10 Flow is more stable than the Pocket Rocket... The 8.7 Flow is probably similar to your Prowave in stability though Sunovas in general feel different to Fanatics on the water.

Cheers

Cheers Gambler,
Totally hear you. After my initial post about the Pro Wave I took it out and messed about in flattish water, pivoting and paddling. I've got to grips with it in flat water, but I know 5 days in Lombok will be a step too far now. 'Fun' is the key word here. Was hoping the 8'7 would be a step up in stability. That said gonna take up Goofy's offer and paddle them both to compare.
100% gonna keep that Pro Wave. My goal is to one day 'rip' that bad boy!
I'm 56. Last year I caught my first proper wave in Portugal on a 150Ltr Sunover Soul. Recently caught a few on my 9'5 Striker and loving it. Sometimes I beat myself up about not getting the 8'11. But I really dig that board. I use it for heaps of messing around and not just surfing.
Just gotta find that 'inbetweener' that offers progression and stability and gets my wave count up.

At 76kg 8'9 ProWave is already on a big side for you. IMHO there is no point of getting another 120l or so board. Just keep practicing and when you get tired and want to relax switch to your Striker. Nothing beats time on water. Your next board should be around 100l.

Definitely take up goofys offer and make sure you give it a go in plenty of moving water. (Ocean)

Big Z is right that the 8.7 Flow and the Prowave are pretty close.

I'm still of the opinion that something between the Striker and the Prowave would be a good stepping stone, bearing in mind that you are in learner stage.

Maybe a 9.1 Creek or similar. Always handy to have for not so perfect days.

Ironically, I have a 9.5 Soul and love it. If it looks bumpy I often go to that board. Just makes it more fun for me.

Cheers

Just picked up a cheap secondhand Flow 8/7 and wondered, apart from the stock fins it comes with what other set up's people are using ?

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Rossall said..
Just picked up a cheap secondhand Flow 8/7 and wondered, apart from the stock fins it comes with what other set up's people are using ?

a good quad set works for me

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Rossall said..
Just picked up a cheap secondhand Flow 8/7 and wondered, apart from the stock fins it comes with what other set up's people are using ?

I'm using PCC7's in a mix of Quad and Thruster depending on conditions..
You can see em' in my Icon ^^