I am off to the Maldives in a few months and was planning to take the 8'7 Flow. But the Acid looks perfect for those waves. Question is, at 95 kg (hope to be lighter by then), what is the right size? I guess the better question is, what would be similar to the 8'7 flow.

The flow is 8' 7" x 30 1/4 x 4 3/8 @ 121L

I like the idea of the 8'10 acid [8' 10" x 29 3/4 x 4 1/4 @ 116L] but given the narrower shape of the acid, and the slightly lower volume, will it be too small?

The next size up [9' 1" x 30 5/8 x 4 3/8 @ 126L] would be the safer choice, but I can't help feeling that the additional length will make it harder to get my foot back far enough to get the turns.

I will also have the 8'10 speed on the trip for windy/choppy days.

I am going to try a demo, but you never know what the conditions will be like and it often takes a few sessions to really work out a board.

cSe - I've spent plenty time on the 8'1 / 8'4 & 8'7 & like most performance surf SUPs, it's a board best ridden as small as possible so hopefully you get a chance to demo the 8'7 (just throwing it out there cause the stability is surprisingly good) / 8'10 & 9'1.

As you mention, your 8'10 Speeed has you covered in less than ideal conditions & your 8'7 Flow in average conditions so why not aim for a slightly challenging (only at 1st) Acid?

For us mere mortals but someone that also paddles a fair amount, my crude analysis is:

- for cleanish conditions, 110% volume vs your weight i.e. that puts you on the 8'7 (you would have your work cut but once you tame her, there's no looking back)
- for average conditions, 120% volume vs your weight i.e. that puts you on the 8'10 (the sensible option)
- for a cruisy ride, 130% volume vs your weight i.e. that puts you on the 9'1 (a safe option)

The 9'1 is going to be wider than your Flow (I personally feel you get more performance out of narrower boards) however it's not a shape where you have to worry about getting your back foot over the fins (it turns from anywhere & in more critical surf, you will land up getting your back foot over the fins otherwise ) + it's a shape which feels smaller than it really is.

PM me if you want more details otherwise good luck with your demo

PS - at my 80kegs, if I could only choose 1 board out of my Sunova quiver (I think you know how much I rate the Speeed) it would be an easy decision...my 8'1 Acid. Granted, it's probably taken me 10+ sessions to feel comfortable out back but it's been well worth the effort

PPS - if there's a stiff offshore, I grab my Acid before my Speeed cause it's easier to get into the wave, despite the Speeed being such a great paddler

Disclaimer: we have pretty mellow conditions on the east coast of NZ vs the west coast

Balmoral, SUSS, Core and SHQ have Acid in demos. Pretty sure in 8'7

Hey CSE, I know that Core Boardsports in Geelong has a couple of Acids for demo.

I also have, thanks to Tino and the Sunova guys, a new 8'7" Acid and am more than happy for you to have a go on it if you want to come down to the West Coast.

I am 88kgs and the 8'7" is fine for me and I could probably drop down a size but it would definitely be a bit tippy. As you know we don't get that many days down this way that are 'clean' so its good to have a few extra litres under your feet to deal with the wind and chop etc.

Thanks for everyone's responses!

@SUPBru: I had not even considered going smaller. For normal use at home you are right, I could afford to have something smaller and use the Flow or Speed depending upon how "bad" the conditions are. But I do have an eye on the Maldives trip and I won't have the Flow there.

@Tino: Thanks, I have spoken to SHQ Rosebud and I'll demo theirs.

@Skeeee: Thanks very much for the offer. I am impressed that you're 88kg on the 8'7 (especially in your ocean conditions) and SUPBru is 80kg on an 8'1. It is tempting to totally push the limits, but if I miss a wave in the Maldives I have to wait for 9 proners to take their turn...

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cantSUPenough said..
It is tempting to totally push the limits, but if I miss a wave in the Maldives I have to wait for 9 proners to take utheir turn...

That is a key point and when conditions are firing you need to be confident around the pronies and be able to get in early to ward off getting burnt and buy enough time to pick a line and avoid having to slalom around the pack of pronies!... and for that you need the 8'10.

Fair point cSe & Stev0 - IMO a smaller/challenging is a must in your quiver however it's all about confidence when it's firing so unless it's clean, a bit more volume underfoot certainly helps.

There is however an infliction point where too much board (width/length &/or volume) becomes a hinderance so finding that happy balance is the challenge....8'10 sounds like the board for you

SUPMaori - when you coming to visit to try my Acid bruv?

Bru I'm there any weekend you think it may be firing...I'm already in love with it lol.. At home it's back to lake conditions for the next 2 weeks. I want to b tripping on Acid?? like you guys..

cSe....
These guys have covered you really well with their replies, I'll just add some soul searching.
Ultimately, the choice has to be made by you.... take an honest assessment of your abilities and chose the board the will truly serve you best.

My 2 cents:
I've never been to the Maldives, but from what I glean from the videos, 3" of extra length won't hurt you.

I think the 8'10 will be more than up to the task, size wise, and I'm guessing, just about the low end of your comfort level.

You have small and snappy with your Flow, and comfort with your Speeed.

IMO, your quiver should be well served by the 8'10 Acid.... it's a pretty phenomenal board.

I place my 9'4 Acid well above my 8'10 Speeed for performance... and about the same balance wise.... but then I'm older than many of the guys responding, so maybe my issue is more age related.

Please demo the 8'7 and get back to us with what you experienced.
It will be really helpful for me, to hear your thoughts.

Thanks again everyone.

@StevO - absolutely, it is no point worrying about what happen on the wave if you don't catch them!

@STC - Part of the fun of the Maldives is long, fast waves that you can hopefully get barreled - so the length and shape will be perfect. Then you have the chance to throw some fun turns. I can't wait!

I must admit that I had not considered the 8'7 @106L and with my current 95kg that would spell trouble... My real concern is how I would go on the 116L narrow-out-line 8'10.

I thought I would try an experiment and compare the outlines. It is not an exact science, but it is interesting to see the outline of the boards in comparison:

The Acid over the Speed and the Flow.

You can see a significant difference in the tails of the Acid/Flow but not as big difference in the nose but I am sure it is an important difference. (Of course, my Acid would be 8'10 and my Flow is 8'7 so the difference in profile will be made up for in length.)


The Flow and Acid seem to have similar rocker, but the Acid is slimmer.

Anyway, I think the 8'10 is for me. I have the Speeed to fall back on if it is windy/choppy. And if the 8'10 proves to be a bit tippy I can always lose a few kgs

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SUPbru said..
PS - at my 80kegs, if I could only choose 1 board out of my Sunova quiver (I think you know how much I rate the Speeed) it would be an easy decision...my 8'1 Acid. Granted, it's probably taken me 10+ sessions to feel comfortable out back but it's been well worth the effort

PPS - if there's a stiff offshore, I grab my Acid before my Speeed cause it's easier to get into the wave, despite the Speeed being such a great paddler

Disclaimer: we have pretty mellow conditions on the east coast of NZ vs the west coast

SUPbru,

How much offshore wind is "stiff"? Is it just the nose width that causes the difference between the two boards?

billekrub - we've had an exceptionally windy start to summer & given that my goal is to paddle most days, I've learnt a lot about the Acid / Speeed & Style in varying conditions. What I personally find is that in anything stronger than 15-20knots offshore, the wide nose (on both the Speeed & Style) can get hung-up at the top of a wave whereas the Acid has way less surface area sticking out so providing the wave is steep enough, it performs really well. That being said, once you're on the wave, the 9'6 Style (especially) & Speeed are great at maintaining momentum & speed. For conditions that most people paddle in, the wide nose is a non-event & clearly it facilitates semi-nose riding on the Speeed & quality nose riding on the Style