BrettV said..
Just thought I would let all know I ordered an 83 V3 from Scotty at Smik via WSS boards at Manly, I came off a Sunova Speeed and also test rode the latest Fanatic Pro Wave at 85, much preferred the Smik Spitty...slightly more forgiving when you need it, unless your a pro.

Amazing Stability paddling around the zone & over white water, capable in both small mush, head high and over, manoeuvrable in the pocket & holds speed post manoeuvres & surfs from the middle really well. A true balanced feel making it a true all-rounder with a definite loose performance edge when pushed a little.

CaptainJimbo said..




BrettV, sounds interesting. Can you give us an idea of your weight and surfing capability/experience? Might help for those of us interested in a new Sup.
Cheers, Jimbo

BrettV said..




Hey Jimbo, Im 74kg, 5ft8, 54 yo. Ex-prone, so best described as a good intermediate in differing breaks, I often am out in conditions where other Suppers arent. To give you more of a comparison I test rode from WSS a demo Fanatic Pro Wave 2020 at 8ft 5 108 Litre versus the Spitfire at 8ft 3 112L. The "pro" wave is exactly that, I believe designed for pretty much a Pro level supper, unless you were to go the 8ft 9 at 120L yet that defeats the purpose really. Its quite a challenge paddling around the zone, is loose on the wave and very top to bottom yes but so is the Spitfire for my level, if you were an advanced surfer and had mostly pristine conditions and you can have a multi board quiver it would be ok to have, Yet we live in AUS hey and not many of us can afford a quiver worth more then a few thousand.

CaptainJimbo said..




BrettV, Thanks for that info. I'm about 70 kg and 72 yrs. Surf most days on my McKill 9'6" which is heavy due to water leaks but wonderfully stable and surprisingly manoeuverable. My other Sup is a Sunova Speeed 8' 10". I've had the Sunova for about 2 years but I find it a bit too tippy in anything other than clean conditions. How does your Speeed compare to the Spitfire for stability?
Cheers, Jimbo

Yeh hey JImbo , I wish I could surf most days, Ive been supping for 2.1 years, I do surf a bit in winter though. Your doing well mate at 72 yo, its great how SUP paddle/surf can enable people to stay fit at any age and it beats just about everything for fun while your getting your heart rate up(except sex). I started on an 8ft 10 speed (130L), dropped to an 8ft 5 speed (112 Litre) and the Smik spitfire is 8Ft 3 (111L). I agree the speeed is tippy yet when smoothish conditions its quite manageable, where as the spitfire is I would say 25% more stable yet much looser on the wave- add say 25% in that dept. For shooting the line the speeed is the killer due to speed, its manouverable enough yet does not surf its size well and feels like a lot out front to swing around. The design elements of the Spitty make it much more performance orientated and quite fast, yet stable around the zone, the spitfire 83 is the full carbon model yet surprisingly not a hell of a difference in weight on the scales comparo to the 85 speeed. Both handle steep take offs well, which what you generally need here in in sydney.

benjl said..
That new v3 does look like an incredible shape. It looks like the tail is a touch more pulled in and narrow than the previous v2 model?

Whassup said..
...

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.

Whassup said..
Hey Brett. Late response to this thread. Thanks for your thoughts very useful for me.

I am a SMIK fan for a few reasons. I am similar weight height and age to yourself.

For my intermediate surf sup level the capability of these boards is really accessible. I have an 8'0 Hipster and an 8'5 Short Mac. Really enjoy both boards,on different conditions. Both have good stability which for me surfing on the Northern beaches in Sydney and surfing in often choppy conditions and beach breaks allow me to have fun long sessions without getting knackered if the boards too twitchy and takes more focus to balance on which makes it more tiring.

The Short Mac - no longer available - is such a fun board on smaller days, choppy or glassy, with great glide and stand on the tail and you can still really throw it around. But it also handles the bigger sets.

The Hipster is a f'n revelation for me so much fun in conditions from small to mid sized. Even in small mush it's a lot of fun - though you have to work hard paddling on to the wave.

I am am about to get a Spitfire 7'10. I expect it will carry more speed, still be easy to throw around and snap turns on but also it's stability will gift you longer sessions scoring waves not battling to stay upright.

Best part is all are shaped by an Aussie company. Scotty keep up the good work.

BrettV said..




Hey Whassup late response from me now ! Im considering going from 83 spitty to a 78 or 710 hipster.
I guess you got the spitty 710 by now, how is it going and compare to the 80 hipster?

60YOGROM said..
Hey Lizardman,

I have both the 8'6" and the 8'8" Smik Spitfire. I am 88kgs and 62yo. Have been surfing since I was a 7yo. I love both boards but find the 6'6" is best suited to clean glassy conditions as it is narrower and has a much smaller sweet spot than the 8'8". Although you are lighter than me, from what you describe, I suggest the 8'8" would be the better choice. I live in Pt Lonsdale so if you want to catch the ferry over and have a paddle on both, let me know.