Looking to go sub 8 foot and push myself a bit for better surf performance .
Two boards that I am eyeing are
7'7 Flow
7'10 Acid


Would like to know from those who have ridden both how each compares on wave for those sort of sizes in terms of :
A. Stability
B. Paddle speed
C. Down the line speed for making sections
D. Versatility in beach breaks
E. Getting over whitewater


Beach breaks only for this board and generally away from proners and crowds which sometimes means sub average waves.


My brain is telling me the Flow (better stability, wider back will catch waves easier, better for small stuff)
My heart the Acid. Currently riding bigger version of Acid (9'1) which I will keep for comfort days . Love it . Amazing nose kick can take drops, and tail feels like it helps control board when placing pressure when required . But I feel a smaller acid will not be as good as Flow in smaller waves that I prefer.
I have also been using an 8 foot Starboard Pro Starlite construction (100L)


My details :
60 kg
Intermediate at best
At end of my 40s


Not interested in demoing as either board will take time to get use to and demoing is not realistic with my time limitations

I can't comment on those 7,7 and 7,10 size ,just out of my weight range at 98 kgs ...

but my 9,1 acid is my go too board ,but the 8,7 flow is my little board .

flow tail might give you the extra lift ,and yes they are more stabile ,i love my 8,7 in small waves
it has extra speed ,and seems looser and loves doing tail slide .
if its 2-4 foot and clean the flow rips ..it really is a fantastic little board ,

the acid is better in more powerful waves .

you could also go a small acid ,jump to the next 2 size down ,from your 9,1
as a thought .eg.8,7 acid .? has 108 litres i think ..cantsupenough has all 3 sizes ,maybe worth talking to him .

but its good to get exploring other board .the flow has more speed and might be what your seeking . I Like both .
they both have good things about them ,as you know the acid has a more pulled in nose and tail and the smaller sizes will take some skill in balancing .so maybe the flow will be the good add to the quiver .

I have the flow in 8'7 and the flash in 8'9, but I'm also near 100kg...

The only thing I don't like about the flow is the lack of nose rocker....

Yes ,nose rocker is minimal ,so ride up the tail ,and compared to the flash which has heaps of rocker ,you have to ride them different .also the acid can be ridden further up the board and still work well ..

I think the flow is better in smaller waves ..if that's what your after ..

the 7,7 flow would be like a surfboard for me

At 98 and 100kg.....big boys.....I wouldn't pick a fight but I paddle fast .....but at those weights and at 120 L
for an 8'7 that puts you at around 1.2 ratio.
The 7'7 with me wet at 63 kg (60
kg dry), has me at 1.38 for the 83L Flow . Could even consider the 7'5 but I think that is really pushing it at 26" width .
Yes the only thing that worries me about Flow is nose rocker , but as board is shorter I should be further back and lifting that nose

I haven't ridden either but if you're riding such a short board, I wouldn't have thought you'd need as much nose rocker. Might even be better having a bit earlier entry to get back near the tail than the smaller acid?

Benji they talk about this at around 6:40 mark in this vid

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/5-Board-Video-Comparison-of-110-Litre-Sups-x-8-5

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benjl said..
I haven't ridden either but if you're riding such a short board, I wouldn't have thought you'd need as much nose rocker. Might even be better having a bit earlier entry to get back near the tail than the smaller acid?

Yes. If you look at people with boards with heaps of nose rocker (in contests for instance), they often have to move very far on the nose to make the takeoff, and then have to move back hastily during the drop. Boards with just the right amount of nose rocker will allow you to make steep drops with the safety of having the rear foot over the fins, and be "action ready" quicker.

I have had both board styles, and lets be realistic: if you are going straight down in an hollowing wave, no amount of nose rocker will save you: it will slow the board on touching water, and you will nosedive hard. Tail rocker is much more useful in hollow waves, if the board is short enough so that the board length is not cumbersome in itself.

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Gboots said..
Looking to go sub 8 foot and push myself a bit for better surf performance .
Two boards that I am eyeing are
7'7 Flow
7'10 Acid

Why not split the difference and go for the 7'9 flash.

I've not tried the Acid but did try flow albeit slightly larger 8'7 and opted for flash 8'9 as i felt Flow was slower to get moving than the flash and when surfing east coast beach breaks you want to be able to take off and generate speed to make sections before they close out. It's definitely worth considering as it's a pretty good halfway point that gives you the benefits of both. Maybe at smaller sizes that's different but I'd look into it if you haven't already.

Thanks mbuzz.
I decided to go with 77 Flow.
Big volume drop for me so seems safest at that volume .
Now what to sell .....

I'd be interested to hear how you get on with that little board! I have an 8'0 flash x 27 @93l and that was a little bit of a step down but not too bad in slightly calmer waves. But 7'7, sheesh

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benjl said..
I'd be interested to hear how you get on with that little board! I have an 8'0 flash x 27 @93l and that was a little bit of a step down but not too bad in slightly calmer waves. But 7'7, sheesh

Yep. It's a gamble but heck I ain't getting younger . My aim is to get summer ready on it . Will only use it in small clean conditions until confident. I have a 7'5 ECS slab so length is not an issue (though one looks like a cigar and the other a surfboard ) But the drop in litres is over 20 so that's where the challenge will be . I'm 60kg dry so at 83L I'm an a ratio of 1.38.....still too much volume for most here .
Can't wait

good luck boots ,should be a great little board ...i would have to prone paddle that size ,
but i have seen some dudes your size absolutely shread on it ....the waves won't be safe now .

I enjoy the extra speed of the flows ,and they are loose .and can be pushed hard .
i wish i was 40 kgs lighter ,LOL.

I think you will be happy with that choice.

As I become better acquainted with my flow I am enjoying it more and more. In smaller waves it's faster than the flash and loose without being out of control.

It seems to carry through much better off the top where the flash would bog down and stall.

Steeper/bigger still the flash all the way.

Yeah actually after you mention the ratio, 1.38 is higher than mine on the 93l flash so you'll probably be all good after a few sessions finding the balance point.

Cant wait to hear the feedback

Late arvo here ...rocker line diff .8.7 flow vs 9.1 acid .

the acids a real banana .compared to the flow ..

you hit the nail on the head Jb1979

Would love to see some pics of your new 7'7 when you get it...