Yes I admit I am a PSH Board Whore!
I asked Session if I could please borrow the PSH12ft Demo Gun for a mate to demo and the weather has been really bad since I got it.
This morning I had 1hr before work, the wind was 30kn side shore and there was shoulder high solid waves on a near by reef. Not ideal but i dont plan surfing it in great waves!
I had only paddled around in 6" dribble at OG13 and that was a lot of fun but didnt really demonstrate what this board can do!
As I paddled out the the wind was increasing and I wondered how I would go.
The board sliced through the white water with ease and I got out the back without even getting my hair wet! The stability is excellent.
A 4ft solid wave approached and I tried to turn the QE 2 with howling west wind etc and I didnt quite make it and got taken broadside and got thrashed. Note to self foot much further back next time this isnt a 9'6.
Another solid wave approched I paddled using the wind to assist the turn and gain speed. The board accelerated at a rediculous speed and in seconds I was off on the maiden journey.
I was throttling down the line so I stepped back and ripped a big forehand turn with such ease it amazed me. I simply could not believe it. So I thought hmmm lets see how hard I can push this baby in some juice. I cranked a huge bottom turn and threw the board at the lip and prayed a little. To my surprise it came of the top with ease and I landed a nice floater and then got thrashed in the shore break with an epic smile on my face.
The paddle out through the white water was a doddle it just cruised through it no problem at all.
I waited for a larger bomb, used the wind again to turn and went as hard as I could ripping the 12fter into huge botton turns and then just as hard of the top and it performed flawlessly.
It totally staggered me what I was able to do with this 12ft board. I caught 12 waves one after the other and just had adrenalin dripping out of my ears.
Everyone else around me just struggled to even paddle on. They were amazed at well how well this tanker performed.
Now lets get this straight its not a small board and it cranks out big turns but the way it does it is just spectacular!
I then paddled it down wind style and easly caught 3 runners, so it has potential in this area as well. The up wind slog taught me not to do that again.
I have not had this much fun in years, I left the beach absolutely frothing like a grommet.
The good:
1) This board will catch anything from 6" to as big as you want looking at Blanes pics
2) Stability even in extreme conditions chop sidewind etc is excellent.
3) This board will carve ripping turns that will blow your mind yet is really predictable its like driving a porsche.
4) The board has great down wind potential ( not going to beat a Pene or a DC but you will catch runners easily)
5) It will simply slay bigger waves (still frothing) Ant Bombie your ass is mine evil laugh!!!!!!!!
6) Beginners could easily have this board for a couple of years and not need to change
The Challenges:
1) This is a big ass board and it is heavy getting it off the roof in wind like we had today is an exercise. I was trapped against the fence for 5mins and could not move at all until the wind dropped.
2) Your not going to lug this baby long distances even with a handle especilly if your slightly built
3) You will need weight I believe 85kgs plus to make it sing but if you have the mojo you will fall in love.
Summing in up:
I WANT ONE NOW!
Phill
Rich good luck in geting it back I have hidden it its mine all mine!!!!
I just picked up my 12' PSH Gun from Balmoral Boards after demo-ing one before hand-(thanks Jay).
I haven't had suitable conditions to surf test it properly but have flogged it on some long ocean and harbour paddles.
It paddles really well even into the wind and in the category below purpose built ocean boards will keep up or do better than most.
BTW like many posters have said it surfs great on waste- high and smaller surf too.
So if your slightly lighter than 85kg, what then if your after a gun? 10'6 gun sounds better, is there such a beast?