I paddled this new weapon in the Maroochy River 17km Race last Sunday.
I was blown away by the speed of the board.
The MC is lightest highest performance race board I have paddled, weighing in at about 9kg & 26 1/8 wide.
I noticed straight away the board was very stable, in the flat water it just flew and in the chop at the end it just powered through even the boat wash was easy to manage.
The recessed carry handle made it easy to carry, I had to carry the board 100m to the start line and didn't realise the light weight until I saw the other competitors struggling to get to the startline.
I was also impresessed by the Solid Eco Board bag with the Heavy-duty zipper.
I spoke with Luke at Ocean Addicts and he's tested the board downwind and said that it goes unbelievably well.
Thanks to the Naish team for allowing me to test and race the board - it flies!!
Some footage here of the MC-14
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Maroochydore-17km-Paddle-Race-Video/
Definatly a nice board, super quick time by you on Sunday Alan.
Not sure about downwinding on it, you would have to be pretty competent to make it work I think.
How do u keep the nose from spearing the runs?
I've downwinded the old Jav 14' quite a few times (same shape) and it's actually easier than I thought it would be. What the board battles with (with me on it) is side chop where it tends to roll a lot making it very challenging - but straight downwind it just goes. The nose does pierce a bit but a quick step back gets it right back up and somehow the shape of the nose also allows it to pierce but resurface without the dreaded handbrake feeling you get on other boards. I think thats got to do with the slimness of the nose.
Don't get me wrong - its a challenging board to master but once you do there are not many faster boards out there.
PS. I'm completely biased due to my association with Naish - so take it for what its worth before you pull out the flame-throwers....
