I have a Maldives trip coming up (18 days with Moon Tours - can't wait) and need to decide whether to take one or two boards - and if one, which one.

The contenders are the Flow V2 8'8 x 31 (126L) or the Kanga 8'9x30 7/8" (131L). I am 6'3", 100 kg and 62yo. I have been on a few Maldives trips.

Yep, they are similar in size. I have not yet ridden the Kanga (long story) and have lots of experience on the Flow.

Does anyone have experience on both boards?

The Flow is the obvious choice unless anyone can tell me the Kanga is better.

I don't know but I struggled to decide between getting a flow or kanga. I opted for kanga due to what I thought would be greater paddling stability and range in a little bigger waves vs the turning and smaller wave performance of the flow. But I don't have board yet. If I was going to a fantasy destination known for mostly small-med glassy surf, I think flow would be obvious call unless forecast is for bigger waves than normal. Also consider you have never used the Kanga. On the other hand if there is something about the kanga that gets you super excited to try it I would just go for it.

I have a 9' flow. I haven't paddled a Kanga but I have seen the detailed shape file as I couldn't decide between the two. On paper they look almost identical in the same size. My guess is that the Kanga would be more stable than the flow in the same size. Because of the rails and slightly different volume distribution. But that is only a guess.

CSU - I have never ridden a Kanga but have the same size flow. Iam also similar dimensions to you myself ... Check with the tour group as they may have a flow onboard the boat you could borrow then its simple take the Kanga. If not I would take the Flow as you know it, or grab an 8'8 SPX and you will never look back ...best board I have ever owned.

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bomberdave said..
CSU - I have never ridden a Kanga but have the same size flow. Iam also similar dimensions to you myself ... Check with the tour group as they may have a flow onboard the boat you could borrow then its simple take the Kanga. If not I would take the Flow as you know it, or grab an 8'8 SPX and you will never look back ...best board I have ever owned.

Hi Dave - if I had my time over I would have bought the SPX... So unless someone wants to sell an 8'8 SPX, I will need to decide between the Kanga and Flow. Unfortunately, they do not have an 8'8 Flow on the boat; I believe it is a 9'1...

As per other comments (thanks!), the Flow is the safe, tried-and-tested board, and I am not sure I would manage to get two boards there (mind you, I took three!! on my first SUP Maldives trip!).

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slsurf said..
I don't know but I struggled to decide between getting a flow or kanga. I opted for kanga due to what I thought would be greater paddling stability and range in a little bigger waves vs the turning and smaller wave performance of the flow. But I don't have board yet. If I was going to a fantasy destination known for mostly small-med glassy surf, I think flow would be obvious call unless forecast is for bigger waves than normal. Also consider you have never used the Kanga. On the other hand if there is something about the kanga that gets you super excited to try it I would just go for it.

Thanks. There are three reasons I am considering the Kanga:

On my last trip, we were surfing a spot with a bunch of Sunova/Genration guys. On my paddle back, I stopped and chatted with a guy who turned out to be Ian "Kanga" Cairns. He was full of praise for his board over the Flow.

I had to get dings repaired in both the Flow and Kanga. I walked into the Trigger Brothers store, and the local legend Phil Trigger took my boards. He didn't comment on the Flow, but when I handed the Kanga over, he started purring, salivating, and running his hands all over it. It was a bit awkward. He loved its lines, but until I told him, he didn't know who shaped it.

On my last trip, I was fortunate to win a free board - someone always wins a board on the Moon Tour trips. I got the Kanga. Since I am going back on one of their tours, I thought I should take it.

Hi CSE

Im on that trip as well

Take both boards, i usually take 2 boards on these trips
I currently have an 8.8x30 Hipster Twin Pin on the boat that i left over there last week and will either take another smaller board or use 1 of Trents boards on the boat

I would be keen to try the Kanga if possible, on the trip

See you soon

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DHUSOUTH said..
Hi CSE

Im on that trip as well

Take both boards, i usually take 2 boards on these trips
I currently have an 8.8x30 Hipster Twin Pin on the boat that i left over there last week and will either take another smaller board or use 1 of Trents boards on the boat

I would be keen to try the Kanga if possible, on the trip

See you soon

You were there last week! Was that your training session?

BTW My normal name is Jason Tranter. See you there! It is zero Celcius outside up in the mountains where I am, so I am looking forward to the warmth.

Yeah that's cold mate

Its winter here in WA also so Im currently using a 4/3mm wetsuit, not quote zero but feels like it at dawn
A few of the locals and I are also all looking forward to the trip and the warm weather

Was supposed to be a wedge trip but didn't quiet go as planned

Cheers

Naturally the Kanga will be a good board being a bit longer and narrower in Bigger waves ,but the flow in under 4-5 foot goes crazy
It does challenge me if it is lumpy due to the thinned rails ,it is my small board also @ 100 kgs ,I have the 8,7 SPX x 133 litres 31 wide now and the extra
volume does make it a bit easier in choppy surf ,the rocker is also very good in bigger waves over the flow ,it feels safer as I have the comfort of dropping down any size and coming out the other side ,if just taking the flow I would Take some slightly bigger rear fins to stop it rocky around and give you a bit extra drive and speed in the bigger lumpy waves ,you can borrow my 8,7 SPX for the trip if you want ,someone told me the Kanga is a bit slower ,but that would be normal having a little more rocker ,and less tail area ,it does look good ,and great dims

Have a great trip boys!
I was offered a birth on this trip if I could get there, but I didn't even have gas money to get to an airport, much less buy the ticket

I have multiple Kanga's and Flows, but none the identical size
Kanga 9'6 & 8'9
Flow 9'4 & 9'0

I don't have any stability issues with the 8'9 Kanga, but I have always struggled on the 9'0 Flow
My 9'5 Flow surfs lighter/shorter than my 9'6 Kanga by a considerable amount.
I love the 9'6 Kanga, but after I put Quobba's in the 9'4 Flow, it was my goto before the Ghost.

Oddly, I have never connected with my 8'9 Kanga... even though I gave it the nod on the best waves I had seen in years, I was underwhelmed with the 8'9. It seemed less positive on hard bottom turns in well OH perfection. IMO, my 9'6 Kanga would have been better for me that day.
I have no idea why.... this is just me being as straight up as I can be about questions like this.

On paper, the 8'9 Kanga should be perfect in OH juice, but for me it has never clicked..... and you all know how much I love my 9'6.

I have been super happy with my 9'4 Flow in everything up to OH, but never had a solid 1.5 OH juice like you'll likely see on this trip.

I like the idea of reserving the Flow and bringing the Kanga.... then you will have the perfect testing ground to give us a full breakdown!



8'9 Kanga

9'4 Flow

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Tardy said..
Naturally the Kanga will be a good board being a bit longer and narrower in Bigger waves ,but the flow in under 4-5 foot goes crazy
It does challenge me if it is lumpy due to the thinned rails ,it is my small board also @ 100 kgs ,I have the 8,7 SPX x 133 litres 31 wide now and the extra
volume does make it a bit easier in choppy surf ,the rocker is also very good in bigger waves over the flow ,it feels safer as I have the comfort of dropping down any size and coming out the other side ,if just taking the flow I would Take some slightly bigger rear fins to stop it rocky around and give you a bit extra drive and speed in the bigger lumpy waves ,you can borrow my 8,7 SPX for the trip if you want ,someone told me the Kanga is a bit slower ,but that would be normal having a little more rocker ,and less tail area ,it does look good ,and great dims

I just want to get vertical! I will package them both up and see whether I can be bothered carrying them through the airports. I will double-check with Trent, but if they only have bigger boards available on the boat, it may be a prudent form of insurance to take two boards. After all, I nearly ripped the nose off my 9'1 Acid in the Maldives a few trips ago. Plus, it would be fun to give the Kanga a go.

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supthecreek said..
Have a great trip boys!
I was offered a birth on this trip if I could get there, but I didn't even have gas money to get to an airport, much less buy the ticket

I have multiple Kanga's and Flows, but none the identical size
Kanga 9'6 & 8'9
Flow 9'4 & 9'0

I don't have any stability issues with the 8'9 Kanga, but I have always struggled on the 9'0 Flow
My 9'5 Flow surfs lighter/shorter than my 9'6 Kanga by a considerable amount.
I love the 9'6 Kanga, but after I put Quobba's in the 9'4 Flow, it was my goto before the Ghost.

Oddly, I have never connected with my 8'9 Kanga... even though I gave it the nod on the best waves I had seen in years, I was underwhelmed with the 8'9. It seemed less positive on hard bottom turns in well OH perfection. IMO, my 9'6 Kanga would have been better for me that day.
I have no idea why.... this is just me being as straight up as I can be about questions like this.

On paper, the 8'9 Kanga should be perfect in OH juice, but for me it has never clicked..... and you all know how much I love my 9'6.

I have been super happy with my 9'4 Flow in everything up to OH, but never had a solid 1.5 OH juice like you'll likely see on this trip.

I like the idea of reserving the Flow and bringing the Kanga.... then you will have the perfect testing ground to give us a full breakdown!



8'9 Kanga

9'4 Flow

Thansk STC - if the Kanga is more stable, it may be handy to have it there in case the weather gets messy. I am OK on the Flow, and I have lost about 8 kg in prep for the trip so the Flow is even more stable than it was.

It's funny, my automatic assumption is that some of the boards you mentioned (9'4, 9'6) would be MUCH different to ride, but I have been riding my custom 9'9 x 31" Insane and I love it. You have to be more agreesive on the rail to turn it, but it isn't a lot less stable than the Flow and it is a ton of fun.

Thanks for your comments.

I will be taking my mini GoPro, so I hope to be posting a few vids.

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cantSUPenough said..

Tardy said..
Naturally the Kanga will be a good board being a bit longer and narrower in Bigger waves ,but the flow in under 4-5 foot goes crazy
It does challenge me if it is lumpy due to the thinned rails ,it is my small board also @ 100 kgs ,I have the 8,7 SPX x 133 litres 31 wide now and the extra
volume does make it a bit easier in choppy surf ,the rocker is also very good in bigger waves over the flow ,it feels safer as I have the comfort of dropping down any size and coming out the other side ,if just taking the flow I would Take some slightly bigger rear fins to stop it rocky around and give you a bit extra drive and speed in the bigger lumpy waves ,you can borrow my 8,7 SPX for the trip if you want ,someone told me the Kanga is a bit slower ,but that would be normal having a little more rocker ,and less tail area ,it does look good ,and great dims

I just want to get vertical! I will package them both up and see whether I can be bothered carrying them through the airports. I will double-check with Trent, but if they only have bigger boards available on the boat, it may be a prudent form of insurance to take two boards. After all, I nearly ripped the nose off my 9'1 Acid in the Maldives a few trips ago. Plus, it would be fun to give the Kanga a go.

IF you can find a board bag with wheels it makes life easier ,just strap the other on top ,

for me one board would be enough ,i would just take bigger fins on the messy days ,as a quad rider
I would just put bigger fins in the front , on our trip more paddles got buttered , broken and lost than boards .
safe travels ,i hope you score .next year for me ,

Took my 8'9 Kanga on a two month trip to Portugal. Only one Sup amongst the other boards we took. It was a perfect 'all round' board. Kind of 'Swiss ArmyKnife'. I'm tall med weight, diff build to Rick but I found the sweet spot when away. Found it surfed way better off the back foot, surprised how far back I had to get the back foot to bring it to life. Very stable in North Atlantic chop.

I would take both, a quiver is always good. Just 1, take the one you dont know well. Kanga is a melloer better paddling flow (25 words or less). And dont moon tours have boards? d

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have just arrived and I did take both boards, and the Moon tour trips have extra boards - including an 8'5 Ghost - I will see if it will float my 100 kg.

If I learn anything useful about any of the boards I will post a review.

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cantSUPenough said..
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have just arrived and I did take both boards, and the Moon tour trips have extra boards - including an 8'5 Ghost - I will see if it will float my 100 kg.

If I learn anything useful about any of the boards I will post a review.

Awesome.... have a blast! Yewwwwwww