Hi All,

I am mostly using a Surf SUP (VOLUME 102 LITRES, LENGTH 8'0, WIDTH 28) which I really love, but am looking for a board for more choppy/windy conditions that is a bit bigger as a second board for the days with less than ideal conditions s. I used to have the Fanatic Stubby 8'7 (120l volume, WIDTH 29.25) and did not like it a lot as it was not very turny/vivid and almost impossible to go rail to rail.

am looking into the following options:
Infinity Wide Speed in 7'11 with 115 l Volume, width 30
infinitysurf.com/products/wide-speed

starboard Spice in 8'2 (121l volume, width 30.75)
sup.star-board.com/paddle-board/hard-paddle-board/spice/

Gong Karmen FSP pro in 8'4 (volume 120l, width 30)
www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-sup-karmen-fsp-pro-3/


any thoughts on these?
(here's the fanatic stubby I previously used for these less than ideal conditions, but never really liked the board a lot www.totalsup.com/product/fanatic-stubby-8-7-x-29-25/)

thanks a lot

I think the 3 boards will meet your expectations.
These "wider performance shapes" work in most conditions.

I cannot help you to choose between then, as I only tested the Gong Karmen (and as a Gong ambassador it would not be my role anyways).

What you experienced with the Stubby is symptomatic of the "Tomo" boards: wide everywhere they are extremely stable, and thus you must not oversize them because they are becoming too stable, and thus hard to put on the rail. This is especially true of the length: as you must turn these boards the rear foot on the kickpad, nearly on the leash plug, the nose will be far from you and will feel cumbersome out there. I have fun with my "Tomo" of 120 L, but because it is only 7'6" and with a rounded nose (Gong Mob), less cumbersome than a square nose (e.g. Gong Fatal). I love my 120L Karmen, but I resold my 7'5" 120L Fatal (square nose) as it was too big, I kept only my 7'3" 105 Fatal.

In a nutshell, sizing is critical for Tomo boards.

However, the three boards you mentioned have the volume more centered than a Tomo shape, so you wont have this problem: these boards should stay nimble even in hollower sections at the expense of a smaller "sweet spot" to balance on.

Or you could try another Tomo shape, but less than 8' long, knowing that paddle speed will be noticeably slower.

I would just add a word on the Karmen: you can find reviews on of the "v1" shape (with a bullet nose, rounded at the tip) or the new 2023 "v2" shape (pointed nose). The v1 was a carving machine, designed for rail-to-rail surfing and carving turns in "autopilot" mode at the expense of some nimbleness and ease to change direction mid-turn. The v2 has its volume centered, with thus thinner rails, making it more playful and spontaneous (but with less of a "carving as on rails" feel), even in hollow sections, but with a bit more stability via the concave in the center. So look the for version tested when reading reviews or feedbacks. (I had both, and they ride differently).

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colas said..
I think the 3 boards will meet your expectations.
These "wider performance shapes" work in most conditions.

I cannot help you to choose between then, as I only tested the Gong Karmen (and as a Gong ambassador it would not be my role anyways).

What you experienced with the Stubby is symptomatic of the "Tomo" boards: wide everywhere they are extremely stable, and thus you must not oversize them because they are becoming too stable, and thus hard to put on the rail. This is especially true of the length: as you must turn these boards the rear foot on the kickpad, nearly on the leash plug, the nose will be far from you and will feel cumbersome out there. I have fun with my "Tomo" of 120 L, but because it is only 7'6" and with a rounded nose (Gong Mob), less cumbersome than a square nose (e.g. Gong Fatal). I love my 120L Karmen, but I resold my 7'5" 120L Fatal (square nose) as it was too big, I kept only my 7'3" 105 Fatal.

In a nutshell, sizing is critical for Tomo boards.

However, the three boards you mentioned have the volume more centered than a Tomo shape, so you wont have this problem: these boards should stay nimble even in hollower sections at the expense of a smaller "sweet spot" to balance on.

Or you could try another Tomo shape, but less than 8' long, knowing that paddle speed will be noticeably slower.

I would just add a word on the Karmen: you can find reviews on of the "v1" shape (with a bullet nose, rounded at the tip) or the new 2023 "v2" shape (pointed nose). The v1 was a carving machine, designed for rail-to-rail surfing and carving turns in "autopilot" mode at the expense of some nimbleness and ease to change direction mid-turn. The v2 has its volume centered, with thus thinner rails, making it more playful and spontaneous (but with less of a "carving as on rails" feel), even in hollow sections, but with a bit more stability via the concave in the center. So look the for version tested when reading reviews or feedbacks. (I had both, and they ride differently).

Thank you so much! Just got confirmation that Gong does not deliver none inflatable boards to the US (moved from EU to US), so Gong is unfortunately off the table for now.

Any experience with the SMIK hipster Twin pin tail in 8'0 as an option?

www.smiksup.com/hipster-twin-fin

Still waiting on an Average Joes review of the Infinity Wide or JP Pro Plus for this category of boards.

Are we talking about choppy windy "marginal" conditions in east coast us surf? Get a longboard sup for sure, if its sized right you will have plenty of turning off the tail. You already have a smaller surf sup, a bigger corkier version isn't going to complement it that well.

I have a 8/3 Hipster Pin on order from Scottie, hopefully get this in the next few weeks. also two weeks after a pulled the pin on the Hipster a 8/2 Infinity Wide popped up on the east coast. I have given up hope of getting Speed Wide as there's no Australian importer. Anyways that turned up on Thursday and took it out Friday morning in horrendous windy, choppy conditions. Must say it's stable but only a couple of crap waves ridden so full review of both boards will follow.

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Rossall said..
I have a 8/3 Hipster Pin on order from Scottie, hopefully get this in the next few weeks. also two weeks after a pulled the pin on the Hipster a 8/2 Infinity Wide popped up on the east coast. I have given up hope of getting Speed Wide as there's no Australian importer. Anyways that turned up on Thursday and took it out Friday morning in horrendous windy, choppy conditions. Must say it's stable but only a couple of crap waves ridden so full review of both boards will follow.

Finally a review on this board.

Coming soon well when we get some bloody decent waves !!!!

Hipster Pin arriving around the 20th according to Scottie

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Shlogger said..

Rossall said..
I have a 8/3 Hipster Pin on order from Scottie, hopefully get this in the next few weeks. also two weeks after a pulled the pin on the Hipster a 8/2 Infinity Wide popped up on the east coast. I have given up hope of getting Speed Wide as there's no Australian importer. Anyways that turned up on Thursday and took it out Friday morning in horrendous windy, choppy conditions. Must say it's stable but only a couple of crap waves ridden so full review of both boards will follow.

Finally a review on this board.

Verdict on the Infinity?

Select to expand quote

Rossall said..
I have a 8/3 Hipster Pin on order from Scottie, hopefully get this in the next few weeks. also two weeks after a pulled the pin on the Hipster a 8/2 Infinity Wide popped up on the east coast. I have given up hope of getting Speed Wide as there's no Australian importer. Anyways that turned up on Thursday and took it out Friday morning in horrendous windy, choppy conditions. Must say it's stable but only a couple of crap waves ridden so full review of both boards will follow.

Would love to see reviews on both boards!