Have a 9'6' composite on layby, should have it soon, cant wait. Have you been riding it with the quads or thruster?

From Ken....HI Guys, The lairds always look to me to be too wide in the nose, and that it would catch all the time. Does that happen or not? The reviews are pretty good here. I'd be interested to hear comparisons between the laird and the naish nalu, for those who have surfed both. Thanks, Ken.

Sorry for late reply to this. The one thing you have to look at is the nose rocker , it's really raised up so no nose stick at all. You can let it come down without racing to the tail , it's rides put on it's own. As I said previously very clever design.

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AA said..

Kneesup said..

I was under the impression that Laird had parted company with Surftech and that these new boards are made by swiss company Nidecker, you can see their logo on the pad & underside of the nose, which explains why the dims are slightly different (further refined) from the previous Surftech dims.

I had the 10'6 & 10' Surftech versions, the 10'6 was great, but for the beach breaks I surf I found it too long and ended up preferring my Allwave 8'10 & 8'6.

The 10' was faster than the 10'6 but didn't turn so well I found, I preferred the 10'6 - great for long noserides!

Here's a couple of clips of welshman 'Guts' Griffiths on the 10'6 in case you haven't seen them :



I love the look of the new 9 footer, I think that would be perfect for me. (I'm 52 yrs old & 75kg)

Not sure about the Nidecker connection Kneesup. That is the Laird logo. Maybe looks a bit like the Nidecker logo?

Great video BTW!! Guts Griffith is ripping!!

Love the surfing, style and board looks super fun.

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Sandsy1 said..

AA said...
Thanks STC. Its not often we get excited about new boards but these are worthy of some close attention. Keen to try the Hybrid that just came in.

Currently in DEMO at BPSurf-

[b][i]9'6 Hybrid: [/b]EPS-COMPOSITE1
Length 9'6 Width 28 5/8” Height 4” Volume (Lt) 110ltrs Weight 18lbs

10' Surfer EPS-COMPOSITE: [/i]Length 10' Width 29" Height 4?" Volume (Lt) 130 Weight HP 20 lbs Weight Composite 23 lbs

10'6 Surfer EPS-COMPOSITE: Length 10'6'' Width 30" Height 4?" Volume (Lt) 140 Weight HP 20.5 lbs Weight Composite 23.5 lbs

Coming in August:
10'6 x 32" Surfer Length 10'6'' Width 32" Height 4?" Volume (Lt) 150 Weight HP 21 lbs Weight Composite 24 lbs

Shame your all the way over there in the US, STC. I can hear you frothing from here!

Thanks for the info AA. Have you compared the 10'6" to the old 10'6" surftech Laird? I would be interested to know if the nose rocker was a little flatter. The surftech pushes a lot of water when nose riding in slow waves, it requires faster sections for clean nose rides. A flatter nose would be an added bonus.
Sandsy

Sandsy if you want the lowdown, get in touch with Sam the manager at Balmoral Paddlesurf, he rides the Naish 10'6 Nalu and recently spent some time on the new Laird 10'6. He used to own the old Surftech Laird so he knows all three boards well - balmoralpaddlesurf@gmail.com or 02 9905 8826

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Piros said..
From Ken....HI Guys, The lairds always look to me to be too wide in the nose, and that it would catch all the time. Does that happen or not? The reviews are pretty good here. I'd be interested to hear comparisons between the laird and the naish nalu, for those who have surfed both. Thanks, Ken.

Sorry for late reply to this. The one thing you have to look at is the nose rocker , it's really raised up so no nose stick at all. You can let it come down without racing to the tail , it's rides put on it's own. As I said previously very clever design.

The nose design is really clever. It is big enough to camp the whole family up there, but have a close look and there is a subtle bevel or chine running around the underside of the nose, this seems to help it release and stop it catching. The 'smackability' of his board, with such a big nose was a real surprise.

Enjoyed this post enough to go get one. Fun board. Anyone tried any other fin set ups on ten foot Surfer other than already mentioned? No previous nose riding experience but keen to get the toe on the nose and learn some old school style.
Best fin set up for the balance of tail/ rail turns and nose riding? Love the video in this thread and wondering if Guts is riding 29" wide and what fins he may be using. Looks like thruster.
Cheers.

Has anyone demo the 10'6" SURFER , would like some feed back comparing it to the 10' ?

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AA.... Murphy works in strange ways. I got back in the longboard SUP hunt with this thread, I had been looking for a used 10'6 Laird for a year, but there just don't seem to be many around my area.

I tried a friends 10'6 Alana and loved it... ran right out and bought a new 10'6 Alana (my girlyman board) which I am super happy with.
Enter Murphy.....1 week later.... there, on Craigslist, is a pristine used 10'6 Laird (SurfTec) with the cluster 5 fin setup. So.... of course I bought it

Surfed the Laird for 5 hours yesterday in really fun waist to shoulder waves. I started with the 4 fin cluster, using fairly small fins... 4.5 inch being the biggest. It was very sticky.... after a few hours, I switched to small sides and a 6" center... moved up in the box... better, but still not as loose as I was hoping for. I had some success with that setup.... but next time I will try a larger single fin.

I was wondering what setup you found to make it loose.

I loved noseriding it... you can do all kinds of cool nose turns and found the slips controllable with the side bites..... but I want it to loosen up.

Any fin suggestions for the laird? and do you think this is the same board as the new ones? the nose and tail are potato chip thin... looks the same as your pics.

Pretty stoked to have two good longboards in the quiver.. thanks re-stoking the fire.

I must admit I haven't got a Laird.......yet.... but I reckon I would try leaving it as a thruster but just going with a 5" or even 4.5" centre right forward in the box, that should loosen it up.

A 10' Surfer is on the wish list.

Hey Creek!

Congrats on finding the Laird.
I've had 10'6" Pearson Laird Surftech, with 3 boxes, for about 4 years.

I've run it with lots and lots of fins - mostly larger singles,
trying to hang 10.

However, I do run it as a twin sometimes.
I got a pair 5 1/8" DEPTH, 7" wide fins - its pretty lose.

I've also used those twins with a small 2.1/4" DEPTH 6" BASE keel nubster.
- did some sliding around the top of the waves.

Both of those setups made it pretty lose & fun,
but if you go too far on the nose, the tail can pull out and you can
side slip (actually pretty fun) but if you go even further forward,
kerplunk, the tail will let loose and you'll get dunked -
I'm talking a foot or so from the nose - so might not be an issue.

The smallest single I've run it with is 7.5" Fins Unlimited Swept Fin.
-- also similarly loose to the twin setup and you can go further out on the nose (pretty far)
without the tail letting go - had quite a bit of fun with this setup on small waves.

It is interesting that if you aren't going to go way up on the nose,
you can run some pretty small fins. Also, with the small fins,
I've noticed less drag - so easier to catch small mushy waves - although the waves
you've posted (on the zone) look pretty powerful.

I run a big 11" sparky (actually measures 10.75)to get the best noserides but it takes a lot more paddle power
because of the increased drag. I've also run the two big side bites with a 10" HP Swept Fin (looks like a sickle) for similar noserides and drag. Yeah - I can easily steer it from the nose with the big side bites in and the HP Fin in (which is pretty flexible).
Similary with the orginal smaller side 4" bites and the original 9.5" fin in.
Its a fun board to mess around with.

--
I've been looking at the new Lairds - I'm remembering,
the new 10'6 is a bit wider - I think 30" versus 29.75"
and less volume 140 liters versus 154 - something like that.
The new one also weighs less 20.5 to 23.5 pounds, depending upon construction -
- I've not weighed my old one, but it feels like 30 pounds.

But the "old" shape is pretty darn good!

Thanks subber... great info!!!

I just weighed the 10'6 Laird (surftech) on a digital shipping scale.
With fins = 26.2 lbs
without fins = 24.8 lbs... so 1.3 lbs more than the new ones. Not bad

I have run my small boards as twins, but it hadn't occurred to me to run a longboard as a twin... I like it! I have the perfect keel fins to try on it.

I noseride on most waves, because that's the biggest appeal of a longboard for me.... so it will probably end up with some sort of center fin.... but with the right side bites, I may be able to keep the center to a minimum. OR, just say to hell with turning and run a monster single all the way back and tip ride all day

Have fun with your Lairds... it's great to see so much attention being shined on Longboard SUPs.... too much fun to overlook.

Bottom pic shows my 8'11 Hobie RAW as a twin, with the Keel fins

yes indeed
had the old 10 .6 laird for two and a half years, great fun and such a good board.
but wait until you try the new models they are insane
i am now riding the new 9.6 surfer EPS, fantastic pure and simple !!!!
lighter, faster, turns so much easier, and yes you can still run the nose.
have ridden in ****ty little beach breaks to overhead perfect point waves.
my favourite board to date !!!!
cheers

Put the Laird set in, a tail block as I kept standing too far back and slipping. A bit of spray on grip and some happy feet on the nose to protect it and now just have to get the toes up there. This ten foot surfer works really well in a bit of size and power. Has been great to relax standing waiting and plenty of glide after getting off fairly narrow, low volume shorter Sup. Have not had it in small glassy waves yet. Looking forward to it.

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supthecreek said..


AA.... Murphy works in strange ways. I got back in the longboard SUP hunt with this thread, I had been looking for a used 10'6 Laird for a year, but there just don't seem to be many around my area.

I tried a friends 10'6 Alana and loved it... ran right out and bought a new 10'6 Alana (my girlyman board) which I am super happy with.
Enter Murphy.....1 week later.... there, on Craigslist, is a pristine used 10'6 Laird (SurfTec) with the cluster 5 fin setup. So.... of course I bought it

Surfed the Laird for 5 hours yesterday in really fun waist to shoulder waves. I started with the 4 fin cluster, using fairly small fins... 4.5 inch being the biggest. It was very sticky.... after a few hours, I switched to small sides and a 6" center... moved up in the box... better, but still not as loose as I was hoping for. I had some success with that setup.... but next time I will try a larger single fin.

I was wondering what setup you found to make it loose.

I loved noseriding it... you can do all kinds of cool nose turns and found the slips controllable with the side bites..... but I want it to loosen up.

Any fin suggestions for the laird? and do you think this is the same board as the new ones? the nose and tail are potato chip thin... looks the same as your pics.

Pretty stoked to have two good longboards in the quiver.. thanks re-stoking the fire.

I think a 7'' Shapers cutaway fin or something similar would be the go along with your side fins. It holds the board in the wave and keeps it loose. Worth a try.

Great looking mal shape boards,can't wait to have a go of one in small clean conditions. Saaaaaa

Near flat days not a problem on these boards. Ten foot Surfer pure joy.
Reminds me of what I first got into Sup for before the short, low volume high performance bug hit.Fun fun fun

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firesurf said..
AA, Thanks for that. I've got the Laird 10 X 29 1/2. Been riding it with the center fin and side bites and it's a sweet ride. I've tried it as a quad and just didn't get the good feel of it. Seemed to slide out on me. The Blair quads I have are a bit smaller so that may be why with this being the 10' Laird. Suppose I should go for a bigger quad set and give it go.

I tried one of these today, the 9', and am very keen on the idea of purchasing one, I'm wondering how you managed to get one with an 8 piece deck grip and that nice colour combo, is this a current model?

I'm really liking the colour combo of your one.


I agree with surfershaneA, when you turn this baby it really takes off, I almost fell off the back of it the first time I bottom turned it!

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Funnsurfn said..
Near flat days not a problem on these boards. Ten foot Surfer pure joy.
Reminds me of what I first got into Sup for before the short, low volume high performance bug hit.Fun fun fun

Yeah Marty - what these boards are all about!

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supthecreek said..


AA.... Murphy works in strange ways. I got back in the longboard SUP hunt with this thread, I had been looking for a used 10'6 Laird for a year, but there just don't seem to be many around my area.

I tried a friends 10'6 Alana and loved it... ran right out and bought a new 10'6 Alana (my girlyman board) which I am super happy with.
Enter Murphy.....1 week later.... there, on Craigslist, is a pristine used 10'6 Laird (SurfTec) with the cluster 5 fin setup. So.... of course I bought it

Surfed the Laird for 5 hours yesterday in really fun waist to shoulder waves. I started with the 4 fin cluster, using fairly small fins... 4.5 inch being the biggest. It was very sticky.... after a few hours, I switched to small sides and a 6" center... moved up in the box... better, but still not as loose as I was hoping for. I had some success with that setup.... but next time I will try a larger single fin.

I was wondering what setup you found to make it loose.

I loved noseriding it... you can do all kinds of cool nose turns and found the slips controllable with the side bites..... but I want it to loosen up.

Any fin suggestions for the laird? and do you think this is the same board as the new ones? the nose and tail are potato chip thin... looks the same as your pics.

Pretty stoked to have two good longboards in the quiver.. thanks re-stoking the fire.

Nice find STC!!
From what I can gather the new Laird boards are a step up on the Surftech models. We didn't sell the Surftech boards so I cannot comment on the difference in shape.
Just the fact that the new ones are not moulded I believe gives them more life.
I ran the 9'6 HP EPS Surfer as a quad with the fins supplied - I figure it is always a good base to ride it first with the stock fins so you are testing the board, not the fins.
The 9'6 HP EPS Surfer was outstanding with the stock quad fin set - which I am sure can be improved.

Keep plugging away - you will dial it eventually but I beleive it will never feel as lively as the HP EPS construction.

You cannot beat a light, hand laid-up board IMO

Maxeaus, I picked up the board on a partial trade (a well used 10'6" C4 Classic and some cash) from a friend.
He bought the board at the Orlando Surf Expo from Laird. Bob Pearson and Laird had a booth there.
My friend is bigger than I am and thought the board was too low volume for him. I guessing it's about 140L.
Anyway the pad is an Xtrak, which I put on myself.
Been playing with some fins a bit myself...

Update:
I replied to the "Log" thread last week, but figured it belonged here as well.

Gonna have to eat some crow here... happy to do it. I didn't have a big enough fin for my Laird... so today, I took my monster Naish fin and screwed it in a best I could (slots not deep enough) Totally different board. All of a sudden it turned... it got loose.... all the things it was missing with the Laird thruster set-up and the quad option. So sorry I gave up on this board.... I thought for sure, that if it didn't turn with the stock fin set-ups... it wasn't going to. I was WRONG! All the stuff I said before.... nevermind Damn good board now that I have the fin thingy sorted out.

Forgot to mention 4 coats of Monster Paint non-skid on the front deck for nose riding....

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firesurf said..
Maxeaus, I picked up the board on a partial trade (a well used 10'6" C4 Classic and some cash) from a friend.
He bought the board at the Orlando Surf Expo from Laird. Bob Pearson and Laird had a booth there.
My friend is bigger than I am and thought the board was too low volume for him. I guessing it's about 140L.
Anyway the pad is an Xtrak, which I put on myself.
Been playing with some fins a bit myself...

No worries, nice work.

I have just ordered a wood veneer model 9', I'm always a sucker for wood veneer boards, but if that colour scheme was available id go that for sure.

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Piros said..
Had a few waves on the 10-0 this morning such a fun board and so easy to put it on its rail . You can't help but surf it like a Mal with sole arch bottom turns and drop knee cutbacks. Really easy to surf .

I agree with Piros. I rode the 10' this morning in 2-3ft clean rights and every time I kicked out i thought "this is a very 'fun' board" The thin tail means it turns on a dime. The first 3 waves I got were all pretty much identical. Semi late take off with a quick bottom turn and a couple of little pumps to get to the section. Then let the board run away from the face, turn in and hit the lip. And surprisingly, the tail slid out a few feet on every top turn. Not uncontrollably, just enough to make me kinda go wow!! Wasn't expecting it to do that. Getting out to the nose was very easy and it was incredibly stable. I'm a very poor nose rider but on the Laird I thought I was Joel Tudor! The 10' length is not how I prefer a longboard/mal style of SUP. I prefer 11' plus lengths. But I had an absolute ball this morning. I'd love to try the 11' version.
Shire Sup, do you have an 11'?

How is the durability of these boards?.There was some concern in early posts that the decks were soft .Was this on the composite ,or eps?and how are they holding up.

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waxer said..
How is the durability of these boards?.There was some concern in early posts that the decks were soft .Was this on the composite ,or eps?and how are they holding up.

Waxer, I was told by a retailer that the issue was with an early batch of demo's and has been rectified.
I've had an EPS for 6 weeks now with no issues

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GWatto said..

waxer said..
How is the durability of these boards?.There was some concern in early posts that the decks were soft .Was this on the composite ,or eps?and how are they holding up.

Waxer, I was told by a retailer that the issue was with an early batch of demo's and has been rectified.
I've had an EPS for 6 weeks now with no issues

Considering the hammering and hours of use, mine is holding up OK. Cracked a fin box and had to reset it after getting smashed across some rocks. I have also cracked the fin in my Surftech, and totally destroyed a finbox in a custom SUP by simply throwing it roughly off a yacht into the water. I am also suffering various depressions in the bottom of the Laird and one nice compression/delamination in the rail. I can remember hitting the rail and going, hell, that had to hurt, but didn't notice the damage till later. A few other times I have heard some awful gouging noises and got away with deep scratches or less. Saying all this, some dickwad put a fin chop in my Surftech the first time I rode it at my local break. Till then I thought they were near indestructible.

I suppose with the Lairds having a very decent quality light straight epoxy glass job at the right price point, you are pretty much getting what you are paying for? I have noticed a few new-commers spruking carbon\kevlar glassed EPS around the same price or less, but the shapes were lagging and reputation still to be proved. Maybe with all the competition we are going to see construction and price improve all-round?

The bamboo composite is way more expensive,but if the board is going to be a keeper is there any justification in spending the dollars ,also is there a weight difference?I really like the look of the bamboo but would have a hard time justifying the extra bucks on that alone.

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waxer said..
The bamboo composite is way more expensive,but if the board is going to be a keeper is there any justification in spending the dollars ,also is there a weight difference?I really like the look of the bamboo but would have a hard time justifying the extra bucks on that alone.

My opinion is that with the Surfers, the marginal extra bit of weight in the composite \bamboo construction actually makes them go better. Saying this, I should admit I have been riding old male since I was a kid and know how to make the weight work.

If you do want the "performance" it is worth noting the bamboo is only going to increase strength on the deck around to the rails, where you are also going to gain some protection from the grip pad. If anything, durabity v weight wise, us SUP riders are spoilt in comparison to the typical polyester prone boards. No matter how much I insist on an extra patch off glass, the decks on my prones have mostly been the fist things to fail miserably.

Oh, my Laird is the bamboo compisite 9' Hybrid. Totally stoked on the boards performance. If you are not into noseriding, it is worth considering this model. Hopefully some time soon, I am going to get a 10' + noserider!

Thanks for that surfershane,I also grew up with mals ,and am fairly familiar with using the weight and length.Never really got into shortboards at all.A long Laird surfer would seem to me to be the perfect board for me.Mal surfing with a paddle