Dave ,I have had both the new deal and smik bonza ,respectfully ,not much in common other than they both have concave in the bottom! Bonza are a very different concept relying heavily on fin cant /toe placement ,and very deep concave ,as aposed to standard concave - vee double concave out the back ! The one thing I personally was happy to read in review ,was that the original 10x29 was a stiff board to surf,but it was the best paddling board I have had full stop! I was not compatible with that rocker surfing wise .weight and construction similar with both boards ,with me personally preferring the infinity -kinetic connection,bummer they are soooo expensive to land here !hope you are compatible with the Smik and you are getting waves cheers