Hi all - I'm looking for a shorter sup to add to the quiver. I want something more nimble for small beachies down the surf coast, and capable of still catching sometimes fat and shifty waves around the Torquay to Anglesea areas.
I've paddled an 8.6 Hipster and didn't like it (didn't surf it) I think due to the low volume tail which I don't think suits my longboard backfoot style. I have also paddled and surfed a Lord Bonza 10x28 which was absolutely brilliant albeit too tippy for me, and can't afford a new 10x30 Lord Bonza unfortunately or that'd be the one board quiver.
So - can someone give me real world experience of the difference between a bigger Hipster (8'10) versus a bigger Bonza, say even the 9.5. Would the Bonza be a more user friendly and comfortable board for an ex longboarder.
Looking to surf all sorts of conditions from knee to shoulder high.

I second this, looking to add one of these as my next board.

As soon as my custom one arrives I will let you know?

Hi Dave, I have been following your post re your new Smik, cannot wait to see the results.

Stephen.

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drivethebus said..
Hi Dave, I have been following your post re your new Smik, cannot wait to see the results.

Stephen.

It's going to be awhile I think progress is slower than I expected, it will be worth the wait I'm sure.

There's a 9.5 Bonza for sale locally but it's a lot of money to outlay if it's not right for me. I guess I'm looking for a longboarders shortboard, if that makes any sense.

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billboard said..
There's a 9.5 Bonza for sale locally but it's a lot of money to outlay if it's not right for me. I guess I'm looking for a longboarders shortboard, if that makes any sense.

You should try 8'-something boards having the outline and rocker of a longboard.

Gong makes for instance the NFA 8' and Zero 8'5" that are insanely fun: of course they do not noseride like a 10", but the glide feel combined with the looseness of the reduced length is addictive. This is not an ad for Gong, which does not ship outside of Europe, I am just saying that you can look at their dims on the Gong site to have an idea. Some brands available in OZ actually make short longboards, e.g. Jimmy Lewis Destroyer, and I guess most could make a custom one for you.

Note that the feeling is different from "Tomo" shapes that ride more like a fish than a longboard, due to their rocker, and this may be the case of the Hipster, but I never tried it.

I even had 10 years ago a 6'9" 117L "longboard SUP", complete with 50/50 rails, scooped out nose concave, ultra flat front rocker, an outline similar to a Takayama Scorpion...
(more pics in imgur.com/a/DWrQS )


And when I was prone surfing, I had my shaper make me a longboard shape, but in 7'2". One of my favorite board.

Hi billboard. I have both boards here side by side. The Bonza has more rocker than the hipster. Your welcome to check them out if you wish

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Hicksy 63 said..
Hi billboard. I have both boards here side by side. The Bonza has more rocker than the hipster. Your welcome to check them out if you wish

Hi mate, any chance you could post a few images showing the rocker, especially the nose?

Thanks.
Steve.

Haven't you looked at the Hipster Twin longboard (9'2 x 29' and 124 liters or other size ) or the Mini Style Lord (9' x 30' and 120 liters or other size ) !?
If you are an old longboarder and you are looking for comfort, it could be nice.
In your place, I will contact Smik to tell them about your situation and get their opinion and advice, personally that's what I did and today I really don't regret it !!

There you go drive the bus

Thanks Hicksy, so the Bonza has a nice touch more.

Also how does the Bonza go with the standard thruster setup, compared to the single and nub fins?Thanks
Steve.

I knew you'd ask about the thrusters.
The board is amazing with either fin arrangement. The only reason I'm not using the supplied fins is it's awkward to strap it on the Ute racks with the 5 fins.

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Hicksy 63 said..
I knew you'd ask about the thrusters.
The board is amazing with either fin arrangement. The only reason I'm not using the supplied fins is it's awkward to strap it on the Ute racks with the 5 fins.

Well that's a good reason I suppose

I have no experience with the Bonza but I'm in the market for an 8'6 hipster twin if your keen to sell?
i live in ocean grove.
cheers Matt

Hi Gudy, sorry mate the hipster is 9'3" and the bonza is 9'5". I like bigger boards. You could use either as a one board quiver.

I have 8' hipster + 8'8"(?) bonza
Hipster is MUCH more loose
Bonza is more stable ( it , and an 8'7" placid are what i use when it is bumpy/windy)



I imagine an 8'10" hipster ( and bigger Bonza) - its "low volume tail" would not be so low volume at that size ??

I feel like , at those sizes, they both have similarly "low volume" tails

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moogengronko said..
I have 8' hipster + 8'8"(?) bonza
Hipster is MUCH more loose
Bonza is more stable ( it , and an 8'7" placid are what i use when it is bumpy/windy)



I imagine an 8'10" hipster ( and bigger Bonza) - its "low volume tail" would not be so low volume at that size ??

I agree with you. I've owned an 8'8 bonzer and an 8'8 Hipster mini Longboard. The hipster is way looser. I far prefer it coming from a longboarder background, but to each their own. A mate has an 8'10 standard hipster which is too big for my preference but he loves it and his surfing has definitely gone up a notch. I'm not knocking the bonzas ...if you go like for like size then the hipster turns faster and easier whilst the bonzas will have greater stability.

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Gudy said..
I have no experience with the Bonza but I'm in the market for an 8'6 hipster twin if your keen to sell?
i live in ocean grove.
cheers Matt

Kite republic have an 8.6 Hipster twin demo at one of their employees house in OG - be worth giving them a call. They also had a new one in stock at the shop.

With the twin you need to stand a lot more forward for paddling out and around. You front foot toes will be touching the edge of the carpet. This is where the volume is and its a very stable board. Then once going on the wave you move back to use the loose tail. I love the twin and mine is one of the first ones. It's still going strong.
So don't write off a twin until you've stepped forward. Mines the 7'10 I'm 80kg and I use it for everything. Flat water cruising to over head waves

I have the 9'2" x 28 @ 120 litres Hipster Twin Longboard. I come from a short board background and it's the biggest board in my quiver. I like it. To me, it feels quite big but it turns really well for its size because of the thinned out rails in the tail. I also think it goes better in overhead surf than in dribblers - loves a bit of power under it. On a side note, I have been looking around for a 1 board quiver for travel in Oz and overseas. I have decided to try an 8'2 Starboard Spice, which to me looks like it has inherited some of the Hipster Twin characteristics.

For what it's worth I have ridden a hipster twin and own a bonza they are completely different beasts. Hipster is a more modern up down surf board, if you don't surf this way or have to ride one that is too large to surf like this then you are wasting the board. The bonza does a couple of things, it's great at getting you out of trouble, the acceleration off the bottom is crazy, I've survived picking the wrong one at fairly sizey Yallingup. It also cuts back super well, if you over shoot you can still do a full cutback on the shoulder nice arc with a squirt at the end. It also will pick up speed in smaller waves but not as easy as a hipster I think. Other comment is that the volume is fairly even both side to side and front to back so I've found it above average stability for size. That said for bigger guys dropping down board size in average waves the most underrated board is a SMIK Short Mac. Go look em up, can still get customs , talk to Scotty he may even tweak them to make them better!!
Lastly using 3 "normal fins" in a bonza just tones down the acceleration a bit, in some waves the squirt of the bottom can be a bit much!

I've owned the 7'10 hipster and the ridden the Smik bonza on several occasions.
Easy comparison imo ....
Hipster loose and fun in beachies.
Bonza is super fast and accelerates so good for down the line for pedal to the metal speed. Awesome on right hand point breaks.
My everyday choice would be the hipster however.