Great vid.. and super nice guy..

Is it just me or did he contradict himself

At the start..good for all round conditions with added stability a good all round board.

At the end ...you loose stability for performance
Which it it

No easy answer Foam.....everyone has days when they are absolute winners.....and other days when you struggle a little

Nice looking boards are the rails ding resistant somewhat

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Foam said..
Is it just me or did he contradict himself

At the start..good for all round conditions with added stability a good all round board.

At the end ...you loose stability for performance
Which it it

well it is a sales video as much as anything else...

Anyone know if the rocker is less than the acid but more than the soul? is it in-between as that is where the board seems to fit.

Hard to get anything better than a sunova!

Look great and nice dimensions for surfing in all conditions. Hey STC I'll take one of these at 9'6" as the free choice you gave me . I love the plan shape .

I'd say that Bert's answer is probably related to Sunova's previously existing range.
Having an 8'2 Acid XL and a 7'11 Speeed, i'd say that the Speeed is a bit more stable than the Acid as you paddle both. This probably comes from the square nose which acts like a platform as you're paddling. On the other hand, i'd say that the Acid is not the most stable board ever for it's size due to the narrow nose and tail. While the board floats in a very predictable way (it isn't corky at all), the outline towards the nose gets quite narrow making it easy to bury it while paddling. This comparison becomes very interesting if we consider that the Speeed is 26 1/4" wide and the Acid is 28 1/2".

So, probably what he meant was more stable than the Acid (or a board with a similar outline) but not as stable as the Speed (because it lacks the nose width).

Cheers
Johnny

Beautiful boards! I am totally onboard with Bert's thinking on the shape plus the windsurfing mast track, pull-out handle and goretex vent plug make the Sunova a super high quality product! I have the 8'11 Acid but the Flow would really suit the waves I get around Auckland most of the time. Saying that I am frothng to put the Acid through its paces.

I may look into the flow I reAly like the jp surf and the way it surfs but a bit more comfort in wind and chop would be ideal
The jp rocks when it's clean and even in some chop but add wind it's time to go home

I would love to see an approximate comparison of the Sunova boards based on stability - tough to do I know, but it would help!

Ok CSE.... I'll just throw out there, what my impressions are, stability wise.
I have not had enough sessions on each of these boards to review in a useful way.... but the stability is sorted out (for sizes I have ridden)

I am 67, I weigh 104 kg, I am currently surfing these boards in full 5/4 wetsuit in below freezing conditions, bigger winter swells, with lots of wind (over 32 k wind is normal) so much more stability is needed.

Listed in order of most stable 1st:
(I am sure the Skate would be 1st, but I have never ridden one)

9'5 x 32 Surf - Stable. Period. In any conditions - This is a board for anyone that wants easy - fuller rails for the "stability" crowd - it paddles great, catches waves easily - (hint: this board blew me away, how much fun it is to surf... for such a big floater, it is a flat out fun machine)

9'5 x 31.5 Speeed - rock solid in everything - out the back, no worries - catching waves is easy - more than enough comfort, I could easily be on the 9'2 Speeed for full winter gear. I can NOT use my 8'10 Speeed in full wetsuit, it is below my threshold in winter.

9'2 x 32 3/8" Flow - Very stable in all conditions - Catching waves, it has more yaw, but the full hips catch waves easily - Probably the shortest Flow, that I would be comfortable on in full winter gear. I think the Flow should be ridden in the shortest that you can handle, to get the most out of it.

9'5 x 31 3/4" Soul - got some tippyness, but it handles all conditions - NOT as stable as the Flow or the Speeed, but it paddles SO well that it is easy for me - I could NOT go down a size in this board.... it is the tippiest of the boards I surf in winter - My opinion is the Soul should be ridden longer than you think, because it feels much smaller than it's length.

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Based on my experience with the different Sunova's:

Acid - I would say, that, in Summer, I would need to ride the Acid in 9'4 x 31.5 (and I would be working) I doubt I could ride it in winter

Surf - 9'5, 10'2 and the 10'11 are for the "stability" crowd..... rails are less foiled, outlines are fuller, They are very nice, comfortable boards..... and I have to add.... the ECO Tec Surf I have, is amazingly light.... this is the model, if you want affordable & comfortable.

The 9'5 Surf was the biggest surprise of all. I had that one picked out as the perfect board for women, who are looking for a light, stable paddler for relaxed paddling, even with kids and dogs. Very easy to throw in the SUV or on the racks.... a no drama paddleboard for the casual crowd..... and I find it is a VERY capable surfer as well. BONUS!

Surf 10'6 x 30 is it's own animal. This is a performance longboard, with foiled rails, that put it in the "tippy" range for it's size, but I am comfortable on it in winter conditions. This board is in it's own category... no similarity to the others in the "Surf" range IMO

(I have never seen a Style, so no feel for that one yet)

I hope you can use my info to apply to smaller sizes.

Thanks SuptheCreek for the stability comparisons between the Sunova boards models you have experience with. I am interested to know further your thoughts on the Flow being ridden in "the shortest you can handle to get the most out of it". Are you able to expand on what you mean this?

Excellent summary STC - really helpful!

For me I would think the 8'7" Flow would be the right board. 121L sounds small (my Minion is around that volume), but based on your comments, and the fact it is 30 inches wide, (and I feel very comfortable on the 8'10" Speeed), it should be right.

Rockin' post, STC. Hard to believe that the big Soul checks in at the bottom of the stability list. Super stoked with my "fattie" 9'5" Surf; "easy" is the word.

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baddog said...
Rockin' post, STC. Hard to believe that the big Soul checks in at the bottom of the stability list. Super stoked with my "fattie" 9'5" Surf; "easy" is the word.

I have the Soul 9'5 and find it very stable. Can't compare to the other boards mentioned though I'm 78 kg 5'7". I progressed from a super stable Hobie ATR 10' and had no problems getting used to the Soul. My wife gets around on it on flat water no problems. She's a complete novice.
I agree it feels smaller than it is and surfs anything.


Ve

ry happy with it. A beautiful board and the pop up handle is a major bonus.

With reference to the video and explanations for why and what everything does, these boards deliver. My 8'10 flow in the original low volume series 119 ltre is by far the best performance board iv,e had. This board is so easy to connect with and a heap of fun, never had a bad day on it. Currently waiting on a 9' custom style just left the factory, is it possible this board could be more fun?

Wavechaser
"I am interested to know further your thoughts on the Flow being ridden in "the shortest you can handle to get the most out of it". Are you able to expand on what you mean this?"

Just a feeling I get from it.... as I say, not enough good conditions yet, to really run it.

It is fairly wide design, with fullish hips, which makes it very stable and gives it a lot of lift to help catch waves, so I think it can be ridden shorter than the Soul and the Speeed. This is a guessing game with me right now, based on how comfortable I am on the 9'2 Flow.... it feels as stable as the 9'5 Speeed (but doesn't paddle as well)
I would love to try the 8'10 Flow next summer, to see how it compares to my 8'10 Speeed.... I'd really like a run at the 8'7 Flow!!!!!

Bottom line, I feel it is best ridden as short as you are comfortable, in order to limit the width.... I am a fan of as narrow as possible.

There is a formidable blizzard outside as I write this..... I am hoping to get some quality waves in the next few days.
Hopefully I'll get some good sessions on it..... IF I can get off my Speeed long enough

"There is a formidable blizzard outside as I write this..... I am hoping to get some quality waves in the next few days."

Now that's insane dedication! As I sit fan going, big glass full of ice and water I can't even begin to imagine that!

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bobajob said..
"There is a formidable blizzard outside as I write this..... I am hoping to get some quality waves in the next few days."

Now that's insane dedication! As I sit fan going, big glass full of ice and water I can't even begin to imagine that!

Top Pic... my local (victory at sea), then Maine, then R.I......
The bottom picture is from a cam at dawn, in RI
Friends in Maine say it is still out of control.... awaiting word from R.I.
Chow... I gotta go dig out the surf car

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xurfxup said..

baddog said...
Rockin' post, STC. Hard to believe that the big Soul checks in at the bottom of the stability list. Super stoked with my "fattie" 9'5" Surf; "easy" is the word.

I have the Soul 9'5 and find it very stable.

STC plus winter gear gonna put a whole nother tilt on these boards then you or I. I guess I skipped over what surprised me; that STC found the 9'2" Flow more stable the the 9'5" Soul. Granted it is wider at 32 3/8", but with it's pulled in shape and being only 134l, that's the hard to believe part.

We'll have to get STC to do a side by side of the 9'5" Surf and the 9'5" Soul. A Soul vs Surf shootout.

I would love to go out in that

baddog... the volume on the 9'2 Flow is 147 L... only 3 Liters less than the 9'5 Soul.
The 134 L was the volume on the first round of boards, Bert tweaked the designs to add some volume.
The Hips on the Flow are a bit fuller than the Soul, that added to 5/8" wider, adds up to more stability.

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<div class="forumPostText">baddog said
"We'll have to get STC to do a side by side of the 9'5" Surf and the 9'5" Soul. A Soul vs Surf shootout"


I can sort that out right now. No comparison

The 9'5 Surf is a floater/stability board, with thicker rails, wider outline and beefy volume..... I imagine it was designed for the heavier, or beginning SUPster.
It surfs like a bigger, stable board.... BUT.... much better than I expected. I gotta put up my initial vid... my surprise is immediate.
It has a very easy and smooth feel to it, but is quicker through turns and cutbacks than I anticipated.... it's the kind of board that puts a smile on your face..... just an easy big board for the lazy days! And.... a great choice for folks that need a little extra stability and ease.

The Soul is a more serious surf machine. It has a narrow feel to it..... very solid, drivey bottom turn and good speed. It is light on it's feet, and an overall good board!
It lacks the tight carve of the Speeed, and the Flow has a faster snap up the face.... but it is a nice step down board. Although, as I have said.... if you go short on this one..... bring your balance game.
Bert has done a masterful job of fitting these boards in different slots.
Each is a different board, each with it's own place in the quiver.

I have been grabbing the Soul more often than the Flow, because it doesn't challenge me as much, but gives me a entirely different session than the Speeed, more down the line pumping, with big gauging bottom turns thrown in. I like the narrow feel to it (even though it's not particularly narrow)

On the Flow, I feel that it want's to go up into the lip and be more vertical..... all trussed up in winter gear, I don't feel so agile

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I'm keen to find out if the 8,10 flow is more stable than my jp 8,10
On paper you would think so being that the flow is wider and a few more litres for a start

Thanks STC for explaining what your thoughts are on riding the Flow as short as you are comfortable with to limit the width.

I can understand why your Speeed is getting more water time. Mine is too. I love how I can go narrower than the traditional shaped SUP surfboard while maintaining a stable platform for learning, experimenting and having fun in the waves.

I have been watching and listening to the news on your blizzard in the USA. Before you hit the water I think you will need some antifreeze circulating in your body and a heater inside your wet suit to survive.

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supthecreek said..
<div class="forumPostText">baddog said
"We'll have to get STC to do a side by side of the 9'5" Surf and the 9'5" Soul. A Soul vs Surf shootout"

I can sort that out right now. No comparison

The 9'5 Surf is a floater/stability board, with thicker rails, wider outline and beefy volume..... ...It surfs like a bigger, stable board.... BUT.... much better than I expected. ...It has a very easy and smooth feel to it, but is quicker through turns and cutbacks than I anticipated... it's the kind of board that puts a smile on your face. ...just an easy big board for the lazy days!

The Soul is a more serious surf machine. It has a narrow feel to it..... very solid, drivey bottom turn and good speed. It is light on it's feet, and an overall good board! ...but it is a nice step down board.

Thanks Rick, although a bit of tongue in cheek regarding "shootout", but a nice write up. A surprising dichotomy given that the 9'5" Surf is based directly off the 9'5" Soul, they hardly seem like siblings. The 9'5" Surf is definitely a board.

It's a bit off topic, but we morphed into a tangent about Soul & Surf
Here they are, side by side.
Both 9'5
The White is the Surf in ECO build, the Balsa is the Soul
You can see the subtle beefing up on the Surf.
Both really nice boards

Your comment indicates you feel the flow would be more unstable than the speed

"More unstable" .....is cup half empty.

I was simply passing along what I know from personal experience, on boards ridden (unless noted)

My 9'5 Speeed is more stable than the 9'2 Flow.... but I would imagine that the 9'2 Speeed and 9'2 Flow would be a close call.
The Speeed stability is over a longer, straight rail line and the Flow's is on a curved rail line.... that still may lean in favor of the Speeed, but the width of the Flow keeps it in the game.
Best guess:
Standing - Flow
Paddling- Speeed

STC, are the rocker lines the same between the Surf and Soul? I figured the Surf had lower tail rocker as mine does not float the same as xsurfxup pic.