CSE said:
"I have not tried the Creek because I own a couple of Speeds and assumed that when on the wave it would ride the same way (they share the same tail). That may be an incorrect assumption"
Totally incorrect
The Creek is so much faster and much easier to turn when running down the line.
Yeah, I know.... the Speeed is called the Speeed..... but the Creek is much faster
ok.... differences between the Creek and Placid
I have had:
Placid 8'10 and 9'1
Creek 8'10, 9'1 and 9'4
I am 107 kg, and old as dirt.
On sizing:
Creek:
the only Creek I ever use is the 9'4 because everything special about the Creek shows up in the 9'4.
Something about a little extra size in the Creek that brings out the best in it.
The smaller Creeks lack ease of use, glide, and overall performance that I find in the 9'4.
Placid:
I did not like the 9'1 at all.
It was simply too big and the nose seemed to get in the way.
I got the 8'10 and freeking LOVE it..... totally different board than the 9'1.
Super fun and snappy... a pleasure to surf.
I prefer it over the Creek now.
Major differences between the Creek and Placid
The Placid is way more stable than the Creek... I'd say that my 8'10 Placid is easier on me than my 9'4 Creek.
Creek is much faster and will handle any size wave up to DOH... and any conditions
Placid is much snappier, and excels up to head high.... not the fastest board, but fast enough and easy to pump for speed when you need it.
If I was going on a trip to an island with size and juice, I would take the Creek, hands down.
If I was going to surf mostly average waves, Placid is the easy choice.
Walter asked:
"Seeking opinions on the pro's & con's of Sunova Creek 9'4" vs Sunova Placid 9'4".
I say the choice should be Placid 8'10 vs Creek 9'4
Either would be a great choice, but as an intermediate... I would lean towards the Placid 8'10
The 8'10 will sit low in the water, but something about this board is just plain comfortable and settled.
as I say, I am 7kg heavier than you and 73 years old.... I still find the 8'10 Placid very easy.
You could go 8'7 but I don't think you would find the same benefits there.
I have paddled the 8'7 with ease, but never had a chance to try it in surf yet..... I think it would surf great but be a lot more work.
As SydneySUP said, the Kanga is a totally amazing board.
Super simple to use and seems to excel in everything.
For your sizing, I'd say consider the 9'1... no need to go too small with the Kanga because it surfs so well in bigger sizes.... why struggle?
I have the super huge 9'6 x 33.5 Kanga... and it has basically become my goto board for most everything.
My next board will most likely be a smaller Kanga, so I can compare the different sizes... probably 9'0
You will need deeper pockets to go with the Kanga.
