A couple of months back I got myself one of these but have only had the opportunity to get it out a half dozen times. I really like the way you can pump and drive it down the line but I was beginning to think I'd made the wrong call and gone with too little volume to handle my 96kgs. But I've been persisting and still enjoying it.
I do find that I'm wobbling the whole time and nowhere near as comfortable in the line-up as other SUP-ers I see out. And missing out on some good ones as I've fallen off, Again...
But then last night I was out just before dark with the swell almost non-existent. Really just out for a paddle enjoying the awesome quiet glassy conditions and crystal clear water. When these surging ruler edged 1ft-ers started to come through. They were too full for the two fun-boarders out at the time, so they went in.
I must have gotten 10 waves in half an hour, each time thinking that I was a little too deep and rollercoaster-ing down the line. Then gradually trying to incorporate a cutty out of my last bottom turn. I was havin a ball! just loving that feeling of getting your foot on the tail, crouching down low and extending thru a bottom turn carve, even on these tiny waves. Gradually I tried to start doing my cutty further back along the wave before I got to the shoulder. I could not believe how well the board would come around and glide through these turns. Eventually starting to make the full figure 8 and paddling away. Stoked. Easily my best SUP sesion ever.
I've still got a smile on my face this morning as I write this and just can't wait for the next glassy little swell.
As far as recommendations go I wouldn't go this board if you're any heavier than my 96kgs, which is exactly what they say on the PSH website (215lbs). Even more motivated to get down under 90kgs now as I think the board will really come into its own then.

Im 80kg and love it,performance wise WOW, I've surfed it up to 2-3x overhead best surfing board i have used,you lose a few kg and you'l be loving it

I've had mine for two years? and would have to agree, it is so easy to pick up small waves and equally at home in over head. Your right when you say drive down the line, it pumps beautifully and is easy to trim. I weigh 80kg. If this board was a couple of kilos lighter it would be hard to beat in any condition.

Had one for about 6 months now and love it!! funny what you say about small waves...I have found it a fantastic small wave board just so much glide!!! I was wobbling like buggery for the first month or two until I did a long weekend of flat water paddling on it and seemed to get my stance dialed in, slight surfing stance, feet are less parallel when paddling.

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North said...

A couple of months back I got myself one of these but have only had the opportunity to get it out a half dozen times. I really like the way you can pump and drive it down the line but I was beginning to think I'd made the wrong call and gone with too little volume to handle my 96kgs. But I've been persisting and still enjoying it.
I do find that I'm wobbling the whole time and nowhere near as comfortable in the line-up as other SUP-ers I see out. And missing out on some good ones as I've fallen off, Again...
But then last night I was out just before dark with the swell almost non-existent. Really just out for a paddle enjoying the awesome quiet glassy conditions and crystal clear water. When these surging ruler edged 1ft-ers started to come through. They were too full for the two fun-boarders out at the time, so they went in.
I must have gotten 10 waves in half an hour, each time thinking that I was a little too deep and rollercoaster-ing down the line. Then gradually trying to incorporate a cutty out of my last bottom turn. I was havin a ball! just loving that feeling of getting your foot on the tail, crouching down low and extending thru a bottom turn carve, even on these tiny waves. Gradually I tried to start doing my cutty further back along the wave before I got to the shoulder. I could not believe how well the board would come around and glide through these turns. Eventually starting to make the full figure 8 and paddling away. Stoked. Easily my best SUP sesion ever.
I've still got a smile on my face this morning as I write this and just can't wait for the next glassy little swell.
As far as recommendations go I wouldn't go this board if you're any heavier than my 96kgs, which is exactly what they say on the PSH website (215lbs). Even more motivated to get down under 90kgs now as I think the board will really come into its own then.

I am STOKED you had such a great session! Persistence and tenacity do pay off! I rode and LOVED that board for quite awhile. I weigh a bit more than you (235/240lbs) and also found it a bit on the tippy side when PADDLING in windy and/or bigger surf conditions. However, when it came to surfing performance on the waves, the 9'3 Ripper performed like a champ!

(btw-for the record I consider myself reasonably competent and "experienced" surfer/paddler. But all that means I have surfed forever, I am old and on the wrong side of 50......lol)


As for weight recommendations I pretty much agree 215lbs/98kgs is TOPS......for intermediate surfers. Advanced heavier surfers can ride it, but that really depends on their Paddling (as opposed to surfing) skills. Beginners should not even consider the 9'3 Ripper unless they weigh less than 170lbs.

Basically, as always, it comes down to seeking the perfect balance every SUP surfer is looking to find. How short, narrow and thin can we go while still maintaining stability? The best advice I received and listened to was from Blane Chambers about 4 years ago when I first started in stand up paddle surfing. He said, and I paraphrase:

#1 be honest with yourself about your abilities (a difficult task for lots of surfers, especially when we are aging..lol) and conditions you surf.


#2-Look for a board that you can "grow into". Dont buy something we will grow out of in 3 months and definitely dont buy a board that you struggle with so hard your only falling and having no fun riding.

Here is parting shot of what the 9'3 Ripper can in the hands of a guy like Ikakai Kalama on big days at Pipeline

The PSH 9'3 Ripper was one of the first (if not, the first) production 'pulled in nose' production boards. I first saw a prototype back in 2007.

The fact that IK is still ripping on this board says a lot about its versatility.



Cant wait to see the full video

Here's a few of vids of me on my old 9'3" Ripper. I was about 84-88kg at the time.