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Review of My 2015 SUPER Sunova Speeed 8'5

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Created by cindyt > 9 months ago, 22 Aug 2015
cindyt
1 posts
22 Aug 2015 11:27AM
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Ok so after much anticipation, I received my 8'5 Sunova Speeed XXXTec last week and here's what I got....

First of all I have to praise the Sunova Team, namely Martin Jandke. He went above and beyond the stars to make my Sunova dreams come true, and for that I will always be grateful. Also Bert Burger is a shaping GENIUS! In my humble opinion, he has set himself worlds apart from any of the shapers out there!

I took it out to my local beach break at mid-tide with a 3 foot swell. I am 5'6 and weigh 140 lbs. On my very first wave this board Lit up. It is very, very fast, but not in the fast, out of control kinda way, but fast in a controlled, stable way. It is ultra reponsive and turns on a dime. I went to kick out and it turned so fast it almost came back and hit me!!!Once you step to the front the board takes off like a Ferrari! Everything I wanted the board to do it did with ease. For my first time ever riding it, it took me a minute to feel for the sweet spot. It was a little bit of effort to find my balance, but once I did it was easy and I did not fall off once. This board is going to take my SUPing to the next level. I am already doing maneuvers I could only think about with ease. Paddling into waves are a breeze, and as important, paddling back out thru waves/whitewash was not a problem at all. I was a little concerned at first because of the wide, square-ish nose. The deck pad is very sticky, no sliding/slipping at all. I love the pop out handle as well, waaaaaay better than the cut out ones. I have read about the soft bottom absorbing the chop, and its absolutely true, on other boards I skip down the face on windy days, but not so on the speeed, I do not feel one ripple ( it's kinda weird!)This board does not feel like an SUP, but rather a surfboard. It's so light and surfs like a dream. I have tried A lot of boards and I can say with certainty this is the most fun I've had on a sup board. It's definitely a game changer. I can't leave out the fact that in person, it is the most beautiful board I have ever seen. I set it down on the beach by the rocks, and my friends couldn't see it because it blended into the landscape! They did not cut any corners on the construction, every inch of this board is luxurious. I love the fins as well, they are beautifully placed in the board and have a good bite in the wave. I cannot get the smile off of my face about this board, and am so happy to be part of the Sunova family. They're motto is Lighter, stronger, better, I would say, Lighter, stronger, BEST!!!!!!!!

Slab
1111 posts
22 Aug 2015 1:24PM
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So you like the board just a bit then?

GizzieNZ
4103 posts
22 Aug 2015 2:15PM
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maybe an "overly enthusiastic" post (for a first post)

Rossall
WA, 712 posts
22 Aug 2015 4:21PM
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I like the passion in the post ?? can't wait to try one of these, another SUP company delivering quality products at the right money

phil

Slab
1111 posts
22 Aug 2015 4:37PM
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Like her new board stoke too....great when you get a new board that makes you whoop half way down a wave.

supthecreek
2666 posts
22 Aug 2015 6:46PM
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Great to hear that stoke Cindy.....
and boys.... Cindy rips!

Tino42
85 posts
22 Aug 2015 8:56PM
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Thanx Cindy. You said everything we could have wished to hear. That's why we do what we do. For those feedbacks.
Tino

SupChickadee
VIC, 148 posts
23 Aug 2015 8:21PM
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Thanks Cindy - great review and always interesting from a ladies perspective - I've trialled the Sunova Style 10' and loved it for those smaller days and trying a bit of nose riding, but makes me want to try the speed too

bazell
NSW, 120 posts
23 Aug 2015 8:47PM
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Great Review Cindy. I understand your stoke. After first session on my speeed I felt like a kid at Christmas.


sas81
42 posts
2 Sep 2015 3:42PM
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Hey Cindy, nice review.

how does your speed works in the chop?


supthecreek
2666 posts
2 Sep 2015 6:47PM
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hi sas81

I can't answer for Cindy, but surf wise, the Speeed smooths out everything. The bottom construction absorbs chatter and makes everything buttery.
My Speeed is pretty low volume and narrow for my size/age, so it is a bit of a challenge in chop.... but doable.

This construction has me spoiled....
I am ordering a Sunova FLOW for my winter board



obijohn
134 posts
3 Sep 2015 7:30AM
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Hey Creek, what size Flow did you order, and how do you see it fitting in with your Speeed?

BetterIwas
NSW, 35 posts
3 Sep 2015 6:18PM
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Love the look of the Sunovas but...

the signage - really detracts from the look of the board.

Surf brands must think we are all blind (and tasteless).

Sunova boards are beautifully made & stylish - the big brand name is a big negative in my view

(I know Fanatic, Naish etc all do it - but why cover up a thing of beauty).

I must be getting old but I am avoiding big branding - let the product speak for itself.

JoffaDan
VIC, 243 posts
3 Sep 2015 8:32PM
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I agree.

Wish there was no branding on my Sunova Style, have been thinking of ways to remove it.

Whilst applying RSPro rail tape, some of the decals on the side came up when I moved the tape around, thinking the top might be the same. Might get some cheap tape and see if I can get rid of it.

cantSUPenough
VIC, 2131 posts
4 Sep 2015 9:50AM
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I am totally with you on the branding issue - there are so many products that make you feel like a billboard and it really bothers me, but I actually think the Sunova logo looks quite stylish.

Tassiedevel
TAS, 2249 posts
4 Sep 2015 2:24PM
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Be interested to hear how the flow goes as your winter windy day board supthecreek .was tossing up between one of those or a skate for my windy day ( 20 knot plus ) board - ended up going the skate . Do believe mine could be the last skate with a moon tail sold in Australia . Have heard they are coming out with a swallow tail .

Reckon the Logo fits in really well with the look of the board - would have to be the best looking finish of any of the boards I have owned or seen .But everyone has their own tastes . JoffaDan if you want the stickers off I have taken off board stickers before using a hair dryer - being careful not to overheat the board .Worked magic had the stickers off in no time .

cantSUPenough
VIC, 2131 posts
4 Sep 2015 4:04PM
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How about a Flow as a smaller, more maneuverable board when the conditions are good?

goggo
NSW, 362 posts
4 Sep 2015 9:23PM
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Hey Tino some footage of the 8'6" skate with 94Kg on board.

JohnnyMaya
196 posts
5 Sep 2015 3:42PM
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Select to expand quote
cantSUPenough said..
I am totally with you on the branding issue - there are so many products that make you feel like a billboard and it really bothers me, but I actually think the Sunova logo looks quite stylish.


And also, if you'd like it with way less logos, you could order a custom artwork and choose exactly the way you'd like it, and it would be no longer a problem!!!

micksmith
VIC, 1696 posts
6 Sep 2015 11:59AM
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Select to expand quote
JohnnyMaya said..

cantSUPenough said..
I am totally with you on the branding issue - there are so many products that make you feel like a billboard and it really bothers me, but I actually think the Sunova logo looks quite stylish.



And also, if you'd like it with way less logos, you could order a custom artwork and choose exactly the way you'd like it, and it would be no longer a problem!!!


I love an easy solution

bazell
NSW, 120 posts
6 Sep 2015 9:09PM
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Select to expand quote
BetterIwas said..


Love the look of the Sunovas but...

the signage - really detracts from the look of the board.

Surf brands must think we are all blind (and tasteless).

Sunova boards are beautifully made & stylish - the big brand name is a big negative in my view

(I know Fanatic, Naish etc all do it - but why cover up a thing of beauty).

I must be getting old but I am avoiding big branding - let the product speak for itself.


I agree. Don't cover up one of the best features with excessive branding. Love the look of the wood it sells it self

Tino42
85 posts
8 Sep 2015 9:32AM
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Hi Guys,

Lets say it like this. This is about the most negative thing we heard about our boards for a long time. Needless to say we are mega proud of what all of the people feel on our boards and we are working that hard for it. 24/7 for me and Bert that is, and obviously that post the occasional problem with our female sides and my children, but that is mostly easily take care of by the fact that both of our wife's also put at least 18/6 for the company ;-) . Kids test the boards....

Ok. Back to the point. Even tho i will like to make this a bit more detailed than some might like, we are happy to share what we thought and think with you:
Even tho i usually find it hard to argue about Artwork or graphic (same with taste of girls with my mates when i was younger seems similar (not sure if that is same for girls with boys but i guess so)).
There is a general point here that can easlily be answered, especially when it has already been considered by your feedback and comments and our basic SUNOVA Strategy. Maybe if more that a few people ask for it we can also open a SUNOVA strategy thread and share the whole thing. ;-)

Our main product related goals are:
1) PERFORMANCE (always)
2) LIGTHEST WEIGHT (thus technology)
3) QUALITY (over everything)
4) PURE simple LOOKS

Now 3 (except the quality) of the above goals are the reason why we do not mess with paint and in fact believe we already put on a pretty simplistic way of branding our boards. The TECHNOLOGY speaks and decorates our boards.
If you checked out the current standard surfboards range logos set up its even more simple.
Tell you the truth both BERT and my final goal would be the apple branding.
----> 1 simple small LOGO, and NO SUNOVA WORD.

HOWEVER. Fact is that until 2 years ago, no one recognised us in SUPS, and in SURFING we have our hard core followers who after they tries Berts products were "converted" for ever. Sounds crazy but is kinda fact-ish.

So the thought about this (and as you recognized also last years look of the boards):
1) We know we have a great product and one of the best shapers, our own kick ass factory to control the production and exclude everyone else too copy us
2) But we wanted a clean, simple, fresh, beautiful AND cool look that PROMOTES (lets all you guys do that) SUNOVA.
3) Thus the larger than necessary logos both (especially) bottom and deck. One look and wow, ahh sunova google, seabreeze it and ok good want one.

Next steps are: Reaching the Apple branding goal of having almost NO LOGO. In fact our boards are so different they almost would not need that. But step by step.

- We have no mega budget on marketing (you sunova fans are our marketing. that is real and true, no bull****, even with the problems we obviously have too)
- We do not intend to have that budget in a mega way either

So IF all you guys continue to work as hard as you currently do on promoting our products THEN YES ABSOLUTELY THERE IS A REAL GOOD CHANCE THAT NEXT SEASON WE MOVE TOWARDS THE NEXT STEP.

Simple Calculation:
Tell all your mates to check us out! ===== Reduction of the logos.

Ok. Sorry for this one being so long, but if i am already on here we might as well make it clear(er).

PS: And also OF COURSE. we do not hate or even dislike actual ARTwork or graphics (in fact we LOVE IT), but we feel that it would never find so many people like our products than keeping it simple and show the tech. THEREFORE we are obviously proud that ANYTHING ANYONE can think of IS POSSIBLE as custom. Given its REALLY wanted and desired.

Here a few examples of possibilities. Be aware these increase prices and delivery time substantially. (maybe another thread needed on customs ;-) )
In fact there definitely will be another thread on our vision of ARTwork. The mini summary being: We know how to design and manufacture KICK ASS boards. We are not stupid enough to think that we also are the worlds greatest ARTist. In fact if i have any understanding of ART there cannot be the worlds greatest ARTist, due to the fact that it involves to a great if not almost full extend TASTE and SUBJECTIVITY. Since we are all fortunately a bit different the best ART would be ALL ART.

So our solution is to create a PLATFORM (our boards (products) to allow ANY ARTist to put it on!!! Examples are seen on our FB page and to a still not very well presented extend on our web page here: http://www.sunovasurfboards.com/custom-boards/

The ARTists shown are: @kelking , @hellowiamjustin , @lilyguthrie (find them at instagram) . More to come. And please if you know one, send her/him over to PROMOTE them.





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Tino42
85 posts
8 Sep 2015 9:40AM
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Oooops. Forgot this one of the surf range:








JohnnyMaya
196 posts
8 Sep 2015 7:12PM
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I simply love the simple look of those surfboards/longboards.

bazell
NSW, 120 posts
8 Sep 2015 11:25PM
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Select to expand quote
JohnnyMaya said..
I simply love the simple look of those surfboards/longboards.


+1

BetterIwas
NSW, 35 posts
9 Sep 2015 11:58AM
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Tino,

The branding on the surfboards is much classier - would look good on the SUPS too !

Great you allow/even encourage custom graphics even if I do not personally like the examples - each to their own.

Glad to see all the good words said about the product by customers - you guys deserve success. Great boards.

deanrobi
VIC, 641 posts
9 Sep 2015 5:58PM
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agree, a SUP finished like the surfboards would be a winner. Im tempted to buy a surfboard just as a piece of art

Tino42
85 posts
11 Sep 2015 12:09PM
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Select to expand quote
deanrobi said..
agree, a SUP finished like the surfboards would be a winner. Im tempted to buy a surfboard just as a piece of art


I am tempted to say you just do that. You will be amazed how much more the tech is than whats out there. On the Surfboards Bert has introduced a game changer. Check out some demos all over Oz to try a longboard for example. The ART is 2nd. Performance, Weight, THEN ART...

Have fun...




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"Review of My 2015 SUPER Sunova Speeed 8'5" started by cindyt