I am a 96kg 57 year old intermediate sup surfer. I surf about 3 times a month so no expert. I like a very stable board. I have never been a small sinker sup surfer. I like to relax while waiting for waves.... Im a 1 board for everything sup surfer.
My normal waves are about 1 to 2 foot occasional 3 footer, not very powerfull. Reef break.

I purchased the sunova creek 9.7 2 years back and have loved surfing it.. 159 litres
Pros
Super stable, fast, turns relatively well. Easy to paddle. Catches waves easily. Looks good. Well built.
Cons
Dont like the pop up handle
Deck grip started peeling off , kept having to stick down with glue.

I felt like a change and thought something that turns a bit easier would be good for my next board. But I still wanted a stable board.

I purchased a Smik 9'3 hipster twin. 153 litres.
I have surfed it twice. One day very weak waves the next day a bit better formed.
So far..
Pros
Looks good, well built, carbon.
Turns a easier than creek especially if i get my foot back. Seems fast when surfing down the line.
Seems to be able to pump and go from side to side easier than creek. Think maybe the creek channels made it surf differently.
Cons
Carbon seems strong but weight is about the same as my non carbon sunova.
Much less stable than my creek despite being a wide board and not much different in volume..
A bit slow to paddle however ?. Takes much more effort to get into a wave and catch a wave. But once on the wave seems to pick up and go. Nose kick is less than creek so I feel a bit like Im going to nose dive on take off every time. But fine when up and riding. Build seems very strong. Time will tell.

But over all I think Smik will be a fun board definitly a bit looser, but the stability will take a bit to get used to especialy in chop ...

peguin said..
Step forward, right forward when paddling out on the twiny much more stable. Also stand narrower and sight surf stance with back foot across and front forward. Becomes much more stable. The volume is forward on these boards. Then step back once going for that sublime looseness.

Agreed I'm just forward of the handle on my smik but just behind the handle on other boards.its all in the weight distribution the smiks are slower to paddle that's for sure but they do catch waves relatively easy at the same time.