I'm about to replace my well used JP Surf 8'6" with a new board. I'm torn between Starboard Pro 8'2" and Spice 8'2" - both 2023 models. I've got a number of surf SUP's but I need one board to travel with that tackles most waves and is stable enough in choppy surf we get very often here. Especially when it's big, we've got mostly beach breaks nearby so some degree of stability is welcome.

I'm 83kg so on paper the Pro ay 118l and 29" with looks like a winner (I'm also lazy so as much as I'd love to drop to 7'11" I can't be bothered with fighting for stability in choppier conditions).

The Spice is 30.75" wide and 121l volume, the drop to 106l on 7'11" seems a bit much. Has anyone tried this size? How easy it is to throw around?

Has anyone tried the new Pro in crap surf - does it take off as easily as 2022 models when the waves are lacking some punch?

I've got a 9'0" Naish Hokua for cruising about but needs something I can throw about, ideally a bit more so than on the JP 8'6".

Many thanks for any input :)

I don't think anybody has tried the 2023 pro yet (apart from team riders) and very few people have tried the spice. I don't recall any reviews of the 8'2" spice specifically.

Supboarder pro did a review about it, but they have a paywall (wel worth btw!) : supboardermag.com/

How I read it: not as performance orientated and bigger feeling as a pro, not as easy and accessibel as the Wedge.
imo the Starboards are all quite friendly and easy boards so I wouldn't hesitate to go for a pro.

Personally I really like my Smik Hipster as allrounder. I have an 8.3, but i,m 95+kg. that does well in smaller and bigger stuff. The 7.10x109l will probably magic for you.
For real big stuff I have a spitfire, but I havent so far reached the limits of what I can handle with the Hipster as well.

Supboarder did a review of the 7.11 Spice, which is on their YouTube channel and free for all. Is the 8.2 similar, or the same? Probably.

The supboarder pro video is a look behind the scenes and further thoughts on the Spice and the Hypernut, unless I am missing some video (I am also a subscriber)

Personally, I am starting to doubt my 8.8 carbon Spice order and thinking I should have gone for the 8.7 Pro.

Yeah I think the Pro will do nicely, just not sure how the newer shapes deals with less powerful waves. I've seen that review, just wondered about the new pro's :)

imo the pro vid was a lot more critical/less positive as the YT.The 2022 Pro,s have been great in chesthigh waves and I can see how they can be a bit handfull/twitchy when its big and hollow, so I can understand that they might eased it a bit. But it is a Starboard and they have IMO always been a lot looser/reactive/better in small stuff as for example JP and Fanatic Pro boards.

It's an interesting one because I think Beau expected the spice to be closer to the pro, but it seems to be a little bit closer to the wedge. Also, he does not enjoy quads, but said the spice is much better as a quad. Watching him surf it as a quad, I don't see a problem for us mortals. I, on the other hand, love a quad and I am hoping that the 8.8 spice will bridge the gap in my quiver between the 10.2 wedge and the 8' Hypernut.
My carbon spice is supposedly arriving this month, so I'll be posting further thoughts on this soon, hopefully.

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Jeroensurf said..
imo the pro vid was a lot more critical/less positive as the YT.The 2022 Pro,s have been great in chesthigh waves and I can see how they can be a bit handfull/twitchy when its big and hollow, so I can understand that they might eased it a bit. But it is a Starboard and they have IMO always been a lot looser/reactive/better in small stuff as for example JP and Fanatic Pro boards.

I'm pretty happy with looseness, we rarely get massive hollow surf here, unless I can be bothered with a trip to Thurso. That JP was handling most stuff for me but I've ridden it to death and something shorter should be a bit more manoeuvrable.. I hope!

I like how the Hokua 9'0" GTW feels on the smaller stuff or waves you just need to gun down the line but it's a hard work to move it around without losing traction (it's a quad and I really didn't like it in thruster).

With all the kit I travel with I can't justify taking two SUP-surf boards with me so I want to get as close as I can to one board quiver.

I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

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theSeb said..
I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

I've got a high-roof van, there's already a race SUP sitting there so got only spaces for one more SUP inside next to all the foiling, kiting and MTB kit :) I just need to get a lorry

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JakeSki said..

theSeb said..
I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

I've got a high-roof van, there's already a race SUP sitting there so got only spaces for one more SUP inside next to all the foiling, kiting and MTB kit :) I just need to get a lorry

Heh. I am currently lusting after a van

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theSeb said..

JakeSki said..

theSeb said..
I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

I've got a high-roof van, there's already a race SUP sitting there so got only spaces for one more SUP inside next to all the foiling, kiting and MTB kit :) I just need to get a lorry

Heh. I am currently lusting after a van

The best investment ever (or loss as these are always PITA), had vans for years and can't see myself having just a car now. Diesel heater, shower (just a water pump to wash stuff after the session), toilet and ideally a bed to chill after / before, makes a huge difference :)

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JakeSki said..

I'm pretty happy with looseness, we rarely get massive hollow surf here, unless I can be bothered with a trip to Thurso. That JP was handling most stuff for me but I've ridden it to death and something shorter should be a bit more manoeuvrable.. I hope!

I like how the Hokua 9'0" GTW feels on the smaller stuff or waves you just need to gun down the line but it's a hard work to move it around without losing traction (it's a quad and I really didn't like it in thruster).

With all the kit I travel with I can't justify taking two SUP-surf boards with me so I want to get as close as I can to one board quiver.

Thurso, Scotland? in that case I have a bit of feel of what kind of surf you ride, been there a couple of times and a big fan of Ireland and Cornwall as well (I have to travel for proper waves because I liove in the netherlands and you guys block 90% of "our" waves).

The last year Starby pro is a lot looser and better in waves between waist to headhigh faces as the Hokua 9 that I owned as well (and prevered it as a quad as well). The Naish needs a lot more speed to come alive. I really liked it in bigger waves but imo the point it becomes really intersting is for me almost the upper end of the sweet spot of the Starboard Pro.
I went for the Smik hipster because it is almost as good in the turns, but bit looser and due slightly wider+ a bit more volume in the nose that suits my style/lack of technique better.
For the big stuff I got an Spitfire, but if I would travel with just 1 board I would always grab the hipster.

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Jeroensurf said..

JakeSki said..

I'm pretty happy with looseness, we rarely get massive hollow surf here, unless I can be bothered with a trip to Thurso. That JP was handling most stuff for me but I've ridden it to death and something shorter should be a bit more manoeuvrable.. I hope!

I like how the Hokua 9'0" GTW feels on the smaller stuff or waves you just need to gun down the line but it's a hard work to move it around without losing traction (it's a quad and I really didn't like it in thruster).

With all the kit I travel with I can't justify taking two SUP-surf boards with me so I want to get as close as I can to one board quiver.

Thurso, Scotland? in that case I have a bit of feel of what kind of surf you ride, been there a couple of times and a big fan of Ireland and Cornwall as well (I have to travel for proper waves because I liove in the netherlands and you guys block 90% of "our" waves).

The last year Starby pro is a lot looser and better in waves between waist to headhigh faces as the Hokua 9 that I owned as well (and prevered it as a quad as well). The Naish needs a lot more speed to come alive. I really liked it in bigger waves but imo the point it becomes really intersting is for me almost the upper end of the sweet spot of the Starboard Pro.
I went for the Smik hipster because it is almost as good in the turns, but bit looser and due slightly wider+ a bit more volume in the nose that suits my style/lack of technique better.
For the big stuff I got an Spitfire, but if I would travel with just 1 board I would always grab the hipster.

Thanks dude, makes absolute sense! I think the Pro will work better too, I've tried some other Pro shapes but most needed really punchy stuff to get going, I've heard that Starboards generally take off easier in sloppy crap so that should work. And yeah, love hitting northern Scotland but it's a 6h one way drive... which, on a good day, is definitely worth it :)

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theSeb said..

JakeSki said..

theSeb said..
I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

I've got a high-roof van, there's already a race SUP sitting there so got only spaces for one more SUP inside next to all the foiling, kiting and MTB kit :) I just need to get a lorry

Heh. I am currently lusting after a van

What you looking for??

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Napnap said..

theSeb said..

JakeSki said..

theSeb said..
I would recommend the Lockrack with the wide base, if you have roof rails. Then you can easily travel with more than one board. I got tired of arriving at the beach with the wrong board. Unless you mean travel not by car, of course.

I've got a high-roof van, there's already a race SUP sitting there so got only spaces for one more SUP inside next to all the foiling, kiting and MTB kit :) I just need to get a lorry

Heh. I am currently lusting after a van

What you looking for??

More lusting rather than properly looking at the moment. I don't want the full extended sprinter style, as I think it's too huge. I just want something that can fit a few 8.8 and below boards, a place to hang a few wetsuits and somewhere dry and warmish to get changed. Any bigger boards would go on the roof.

We've moved the other way! Ducato for extra room over the T6! Stuck in the new van in Woolacombe waiting for the wind to drop!

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Napnap said..
We've moved the other way! Ducato for extra room over the T6! Stuck in the new van in Woolacombe waiting for the wind to drop!

I was out in that offshore wind for most of today in puttsborough. Morning was ok, but the swell disappeared at low tide at around 1pm. Tough work with the wind trying to blow you off the wave.

I drove past Staunton Sands on the way home and realised I should have gone there today instead. I did get a few good waves in puttsborough in the morning and I had a bit of fun at Kimmeridge yesterday.

Small world, we've practically driven past each other. Caught best wave of the year so far at Saunton on Friday, had everything. Though this is it session on, then tide dropping, wind picking up got caught on the inside by the rocks, what a work out battling through chest high white water, excellent balance, cardio and strength training all in one. Three more okayish waves then I was totally stuffed. Back up to Saltburn tomorrow, forecast is crap up there too!

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Napnap said..
Small world, we've practically driven past each other. Caught best wave of the year so far at Saunton on Friday, had everything. Though this is it session on, then tide dropping, wind picking up got caught on the inside by the rocks, what a work out battling through chest high white water, excellent balance, cardio and strength training all in one. Three more okayish waves then I was totally stuffed. Back up to Saltburn tomorrow, forecast is crap up there too!

Glad you got some good waves. Most set waves in Puttsborough on Saturday were quick close outs. I did get a few rideable waves though, but I got blown off more waves than I caught.

a comparison of the Wedge/Pro/Spice...

Pretty comprehensive review. Expains the 3 boards features and design ideas really well.

Good review Beau

Heard about a great deal on a Starboard Pro thanks to my local shop. It was first come, first served and I managed to get my order in on time to snap up a 2023 8'2" Starboard Pro in Blue Carbon Pro. It will be my lowest volume board versus my 133l Hypernut and 140l Spice.

I had an opportunity to try out an 8'2" x 121l Spice and a 10 x 29 x 123l longboard a few weeks ago. Both felt fine in choppy onshore conditions, so I think the 8.2 Pro will be fine in good conditions, especially after a bit of practice.

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theSeb said..
Heard about a great deal on a Starboard Pro thanks to my local shop. It was first come, first served and I managed to get my order in on time to snap up a 2023 8'2" Starboard Pro in Blue Carbon Pro. It will be my lowest volume board versus my 133l Hypernut and 140l Spice.

I had an opportunity to try out an 8'2" x 121l Spice and a 10 x 29 x 123l longboard a few weeks ago. Both felt fine in choppy onshore conditions, so I think the 8.2 Pro will be fine in good conditions, especially after a bit of practice.

Hoping to hear your thoughts between the 8.2 Pro and 8.2 Spice you tried when you get some time on the board!

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SurfKiteSup said..

theSeb said..
Heard about a great deal on a Starboard Pro thanks to my local shop. It was first come, first served and I managed to get my order in on time to snap up a 2023 8'2" Starboard Pro in Blue Carbon Pro. It will be my lowest volume board versus my 133l Hypernut and 140l Spice.

I had an opportunity to try out an 8'2" x 121l Spice and a 10 x 29 x 123l longboard a few weeks ago. Both felt fine in choppy onshore conditions, so I think the 8.2 Pro will be fine in good conditions, especially after a bit of practice.

Hoping to hear your thoughts between the 8.2 Pro and 8.2 Spice you tried when you get some time on the board!

Sadly there were no waves when I tried to 8.2 Spice. It was onshore tiny wind chop (15-16 knots) and I just wanted to see if my large frame would be comfortable to paddle and stand still on what is a relatively small volume board for me. So, I'll only be able to compare stability and won't have any insights into how the boards differ in the important stuff, like actual wave performance.

Board is arriving at the end of October, so will definitely post a small review as soon as I get it :)