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mbuzz said...

WINDSURFnSNOW said...
Rode most of the new race range a couple of weeks ago and there is some good new stuff coming.

Sam.

When do you think you'll be getting some of these new boards in?

I'm thinking of joining SPSC this year, so would like to get a 12'6 I can use for racing, general fitness and some DW. The season starts second week in Aug so would be nice to have something by then. Alternatively, perhaps I can demo some boards at the first event (given the level of surfing, I expect to be out of the surfing comp in the first round so would be nice to have something else to do!).

i'll get robbie to look into it and forward the arrival date for you

just being funny- good luck

Looks like they should be in store around about the 2nd week of Oct with a bit of luck.
Sam.

9'5 Hokua or 9' mana??? how much difference is there, same volume different lengths, how much difference in performance/handling?

www.windgenuity.com.au/?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=51&Itemid=101

here are the prices

HI TJR

You will find there is a fair difference in performance. The Mana has a rounder nose and not as much rocker. The Hokua is made for absolute performance. The new 9'5" is a blown up copy of the 9'0. The Hokua is like surfing short board style. Great Board. They went for it as the 9'0" is a great board but a little light on volume for the heavier set surfer. If you can surf go the Hokua.

Thanks.
I'm already surfing the 9' Mana and loving it (195lbs). Amazingly I found the 7' 8 floats me (just) Havent tried it in anything more than knee high but was amazed how easily iit picks up the wave for something so short. Will hopefully have the 9' 5 to try out next week.

Do the 2012 Hokua come with a board cover?
Can't wait to demo the new 9'5" i think it will be just right for my 100kg frame

All Naish wood boards come with a bag

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mbuzz said...

I'm thinking of joining SPSC this year, so would like to get a 12'6 I can use for racing, general fitness and some DW. The season starts second week in Aug so would be nice to have something by then. Alternatively, perhaps I can demo some boards at the first event (given the level of surfing, I expect to be out of the surfing comp in the first round so would be nice to have something else to do!).

Good stuff mbuzz. We will be having a repercharge round this season so you get to surf at least twice - limiting your opportunity to demo the plethora of boards that will be available for demoing (not sure if the new Naishs will be here by then though).

Got my 9' 5 Hokua, what happened to the lovely bamboo side fins?? It comes with a wooden centre fin and two cheap looking FCS side fins (no quads). The bag now comes with fin slots but the shoulder strap has been left off, oh and the bags carry handle is off centre so the bag tips up and drags one end when carried.

Not brilliant for a premium product with a price increase.

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TJR said...

Got my 9' 5 Hokua, what happened to the lovely bamboo side fins?? It comes with a wooden centre fin and two cheap looking FCS side fins (no quads). The bag now comes with fin slots but the shoulder strap has been left off, oh and the bags carry handle is off centre so the bag tips up and drags one end when carried.

Not brilliant for a premium product with a price increase.

Looking forward to a review, when you get some waves

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TJR said...

Got my 9' 5 Hokua, what happened to the lovely bamboo side fins?? It comes with a wooden centre fin and two cheap looking FCS side fins (no quads). The bag now comes with fin slots but the shoulder strap has been left off, oh and the bags carry handle is off centre so the bag tips up and drags one end when carried.

Not brilliant for a premium product with a price increase.

Made in Thailand models come with the ugly fins. Made China models come with pretty bamboo fins. Stinks when you consider the made in Thailand models cost more. I'm glad the model (7'8) I ride came from China.

Price increase stinks too. That new 10'10 is going to be $2099 in the US. They told dealers at the trade show it will be their top selling board. I love Naish, but someone is high on weed in the marketing department.

It does suck as the bamboo fins are very pretty and help make the boards look like a premium product, I can't use that as a selling point any more. They are also charging more for the fancy graphics on the ladies boards which will really encourage the ladies to buy them.

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TJR said...

They are also charging more for the fancy graphics on the ladies boards which will really encourage the ladies to buy them.

I have a theory on why that might be. I noticed the ladies models have pine decks, not bamboo. That means the ladies models come from Thailand (cost more to build there, but they come out slightly lighter and thus more female friendly). While the regular Mana's come from China (Bamboo decks). Heavier, but cheaper to build there.

In UK Mana's are the most expensive boards so if they are cheaper to make there is something wrong there, although the Nalu seems to have caught up on price for 2012

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TJR said...

In UK Mana's are the most expensive boards so if they are cheaper to make there is something wrong there, although the Nalu seems to have caught up on price for 2012

in US for 2011

wood Mana's made in China were $1549 (9'0, 9'5, 10'0)

wood Nalu's made in China were $1499 (9'0, 9'6)
wood Nalu's made in Thailand were $1699 (10'6, 11'6)

wood Hokua's made in China were $1399 (8'0, 8'4, 7'3, 7'8)
wood Hokua's made in Thailand were $1599 (8'5, 9'0, 9'6)

As you can see from this, I hope each season the board I want will come from China

Just laid 9' Mana on top of 9'5 Hokua , the tail on the Mana is narrower than the Hokua which surprised me.
Somebody mentioned they were looking forward to the new handles? The new handles on the 9'5 and Nalu 10'6 are both shallower than the 2011 boards and don't feel as comfortable. seems to me price is up and quality down a bit?

Haven't managed a proper surf on the 9' 5 yet, went out last Sunday on quads (the supplied G7 on the front and a G3 on the rear, the waves were pretty weak but i struggled to turn the board, I actually found I had more fun on 10' Mana.

Havent paddled again as now got golfers elbow and need to rest it before going Hossegor way in a week.

10' 6 Nalu comes with wood centre and side fins, made in Thailand

Could it be the handles are just a little different between the Chinese and Thailand boards and not a 2011 to 2012 design change?

You could be right there.

I still cant decide whether mana 9 or kokua 9´5. Unfortunately there is no chance to demo. Here the waves are mushy and pretty small and powerless most of the time, better waves only in holidays and a few long weekends. What pulls me about the hokua is the shortboardfeeling that many describe. But, with the conditions at hand, I suppose the mana would be the better choice, right? Supposedly a little more stable in choppy conditions and easier to have fun with in small waves with little power? Besides, I would use it for flat water paddeling, too. But here, speed is not a big factor for me.

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ulx said...

I still cant decide whether mana 9 or kokua 9´5. Unfortunately there is no chance to demo. Here the waves are mushy and pretty small and powerless most of the time, better waves only in holidays and a few long weekends. What pulls me about the hokua is the shortboardfeeling that many describe. But, with the conditions at hand, I suppose the mana would be the better choice, right? Supposedly a little more stable in choppy conditions and easier to have fun with in small waves with little power? Besides, I would use it for flat water paddeling, too. But here, speed is not a big factor for me.

How heavy are you?

DJ

80kg by 5´11

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ulx said...

80kg by 5´11

I would recommend the 9'5" Mana.. What are you paddling now?

DJ

now i´m riding the 10´6 nsp. the 9´5 mana doesn´t seem like a big step forword to me from that board.

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ulx said...

now i´m riding the 10´6 nsp. the 9´5 mana doesn´t seem like a big step forword to me from that board.

Huge step forward IMO.. .. I've paddle both and I think the 9'5" Mana will really surprise you.

DJ

I had a demo on the 9' Hokua. Very versatile board, the length means you can catch waves easily but the rails aren't that thick so it's not that voluminous and it spins and surfs really well. I liked the concave deck and the really grippy deckpad.
My one grizzle is that I was hoping they would be cheaper this year with the exchange rate in our favour but it looks like it's not to be.

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NC Surfer said...

TJR said...

They are also charging more for the fancy graphics on the ladies boards which will really encourage the ladies to buy them.

I have a theory on why that might be. I noticed the ladies models have pine decks, not bamboo. That means the ladies models come from Thailand (cost more to build there, but they come out slightly lighter and thus more female friendly). While the regular Mana's come from China (Bamboo decks). Heavier, but cheaper to build there.

I thought only the 9'5 Alana was wood construction (and specified at the same weight). As far as I've heard the 10'10 Alana is only available in the heavier AST. Really bad idea if you ask me.
Heavy construction - slap on some colour and the mandatory hibiscus flower and market it as a ladies' board. Shame on them.

Correct me if I'm wrong. Wouldn't mind a 9'5 Alana myself. Cooler than the yellow for sure.

New Naish Sup site up and live so check out all that's new. I had a ride on the Hokua 9'5" last week and it's a great little board.

new here and need your advice,

IM a heavy guy (125 KG) and looking to replace my SB avanti.
loved very much the SB 10.5 WIDE POINT but its out of stock at my local dealer.
The new Naish NALU 10"10 look really nice...did any body here tried it and can give some details as how it is waves ( up to 2 meter ),turning and how stable it is.
Thanks for your help.

Gal