Is there something wrong with a 9'2 sunova flow? I rang the vic listed dealer and without any questions to my ability or what I want to surf they recommended the Speeed. I am only going on the reviews on seabreeze as to thinking the Flow is the board that suits. I was
looking at the naish X32 9'6 Hokua originally.

There is some mixed feelings around both boards
From what I know the speed is a nice board but not as stable as the flow is its respective sizes.
The speed turns off the tail and only off the tail which lends its self to a little more longboard style of turning
Where the flow turns from anywhere and is more performance based .
But as mentioned there seems to be mixed feelings over the two .
I feel bert needs to do a video review of both togeather explaining them .
As for construction and weight beautifully made

Thanku Foam that's quite helpfully it's quite difficult to get that information from some sales staff.

Keep in mind my comments are based on 2016 boards as the litres and width have changed
As a exercise I ride a jp 8,10 x30 126 litres at 90kg
If I was to buy something different to add more stability I would be looking at the 8,10 flow 2016 a inch wider and 4 more litres makes a difference in chop.
Based on 2016 boards being sanova if I was looking at the 8,10 speed it would be less stable than the flow 2016
But like I said it's all subjective at the moment

Yes I understand the surfshops first priority it to sell floor stock and thus the recommendation without any questions as to why I had chosen the Flow and maybe the Speeed could be 2015.

I don't think there are many riding flows there is not a lot of reviews online I know the first container of flows is hopefully arriving tomorrow from Thailand into Melbourne for the guys at Shq board shop.. I know because my 8'7 flow is onboard they have shaved a bit off the 2016 flow I originally ordered a 8'4 x29 x113 but was worried about the low liters as I'm coming off a naish 8'4 x32 130 liters (I'm 5'11 and 95kg ) and since they shaved another 3 liters I'm hoping to get a 8'7 x30 x120L I think that the flow and the speed would be much different you just have to look at the design differences to see that.. I think the flow will be a great board you just have to read what supthecreek has to say about them in other posts

I have 2 Speeeds (8'10 and 9'5) and a 9'2 Flow (current, updated design and volume)

The Speeed is absolutely NOT a longboard feel. Quite the opposite IMO
I am enamored by the way it feels on a wave.... it does everything I ask, without effort.
It is still the nicest board I have surfed. Period.
But..... if you don't move back to turn..... you won't like it.
Plenty of vids to see, to decide if it is the board for you.

The Flow:
I have ridden it a number of times, but not enough to make a review.... or even definitive statements as yet.
I need a clean, really workable day with some size to get a good handle on it.

I may make a video of the Speeed vs Flow in some small waves, because there IS a difference that is noticeable on the vids.
The Speeed seems to carve one continuous track, linking all turns with a sweeet tight carve that carries from turn to turn.
The Flow snaps faster up the face, and requires solid surf skills to snap back off the top.

At my age and in full, restrictive winter gear, I need the right set-up to explore this.
I have either been running down the line, in sucky beachbreak, or riding gutless smaller waves.... so I haven't wired it yet.
My feeling is.... the Flow should be ridden as short as possible to really surf it as designed.

Having said that....... the Flow is also a great board for intermediates
Confused?

The Flow has some width for stability
Nice rail curve for easy turning mid board
Enough width in the tail to catch waves easily.... and make it really fast.
Sooooooo....... the Flow is a great board for an intermediate, who surfs less aggressively, but wants a nice easy board to stand on, catch waves, go fast and make sections, while making casual turns from the middle.

To jump to the high performance level..... you have to surf it very differently.

On our East Coast run.... the 9'2 Flow was a favorite board for casual surfers..... so it has many applications
generally bigger for casual..... smaller for rippers. I want to ride a small one next summer, I'm betting I will love it!

I am really looking forward to some reviews and videos of the Flow in Oz.......

I'll re-post some random pics of me and a friend on the 9'2 Flow
Vids are where its at.... but this is all I gotz today. I hope they help

Wow, that is turning from the front. Your friend Marc is way up there.

Excellent info STC - as always.

Those photos tell us so much - and that is exactly how I hoped the Flow would perform.

But I have to wonder about the comment on the Sunova page - "The FLOW is the closest you get to actual surfing on a SUP." and "...you will think you are surfing." Now I am wondering what I have been doing for the last two years...

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supthecreek said..
I have 2 Speeeds (8'10 and 9'5) and a 9'2 Flow (current, updated design and volume)

The Speeed is absolutely NOT a longboard feel. Quite the opposite IMO
I am enamored by the way it feels on a wave.... it does everything I ask, without effort.
It is still the nicest board I have surfed. Period.
But..... if you don't move back to turn..... you won't like it.
Plenty of vids to see, to decide if it is the board for you.

The Flow:
....... the Flow is also a great board for intermediates
Confused?

The Flow has some width for stability
Nice rail curve for easy turning mid board
Enough width in the tail to catch waves easily.... and make it really fast.
Sooooooo....... the Flow is a great board for an intermediate, who surfs less aggressively, but wants a nice easy board to stand on, catch waves, go fast and make sections, while making casual turns from the middle.

To jump to the high performance level..... you have to surf it very differently.

Spot on STC. We have had a few intermediated try the SPEEED and they were not able to get it dialled. I am thinking - how is this possible. This is one of the liveliest and most fun boards I have ridden.

With the SPEEED you have to think about it. You cant just hop on it and put your foot wherever you want and hope it will do what it is told.
I rode the original FLOW and enjoyed it but i cant say it was better than the SPEEED, which is yet to be outdone by any board for me.

If you like the look and feel of a traditional shape, need a bit more stability and are prepared to work your way up to its potential - go the FLOW.
If you are tired of the traditional shapes and want a board that is alive from the minute you get it dialled - go the SPEEED
For me the SPEEED optimises why I SUP, it paddles better than any other board its size, its fast, it flows and it snaps when you want it to.
It really should be called the FUUUN!

thanks to all for that information I am now trying to process it all.

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AA said...

supthecreek said..
I have 2 Speeeds (8'10 and 9'5) and a 9'2 Flow (current, updated design and volume)

The Speeed is absolutely NOT a longboard feel. Quite the opposite IMO
I am enamored by the way it feels on a wave.... it does everything I ask, without effort.
It is still the nicest board I have surfed. Period.
But..... if you don't move back to turn..... you won't like it.
Plenty of vids to see, to decide if it is the board for you.

The Flow:
....... the Flow is also a great board for intermediates
Confused?

The Flow has some width for stability
Nice rail curve for easy turning mid board
Enough width in the tail to catch waves easily.... and make it really fast.
Sooooooo....... the Flow is a great board for an intermediate, who surfs less aggressively, but wants a nice easy board to stand on, catch waves, go fast and make sections, while making casual turns from the middle.

To jump to the high performance level..... you have to surf it very differently.

Spot on STC. We have had a few intermediated try the SPEEED and they were not able to get it dialled. I am thinking - how is this possible. This is one of the liveliest and most fun boards I have ridden.

With the SPEEED you have to think about it. You cant just hop on it and put your foot wherever you want and hope it will do what it is told.
I rode the original FLOW and enjoyed it but i cant say it was better than the SPEEED, which is yet to be outdone by any board for me.

If you like the look and feel of a traditional shape, need a bit more stability and are prepared to work your way up to its potential - go the FLOW.
If you are tired of the traditional shapes and want a board that is alive from the minute you get it dialled - go the SPEEED
For me the SPEEED optimises why I SUP, it paddles better than any other board its size, its fast, it flows and it snaps when you want it to.
It really should be called the FUUUN!

AA can you tell us about the new flow completely different board
As you are in the 90kg club I would guess you ride the 8,10 in both the flow and the speed
The new flow should be a lot more stable vs the speed
I reAly like the jp surf but I'm listed in chop
It seems that the new flow 8,10 is almost aimed at the 90kg rider to suit all conditions somewhat but still with performance
I would compare the 8,7 flow to my jp 8,10 stability wise so for me not a good size choice if I want for comfort in chop
To own both the flow and the speed might be a mistake

My bad I see your boards above

One of my favourite songs - could it be a sign?

Song played loud - board ridden hard!

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cantSUPenough said..
Excellent info STC - as always.

Those photos tell us so much - and that is exactly how I hoped the Flow would perform.

But I have to wonder about the comment on the Sunova page - "The FLOW is the closest you get to actual surfing on a SUP." and "...you will think you are surfing." Now I am wondering what I have been doing for the last two years...

Probably, as STC's photos show, like a surfboard it is stand and deliver. Not having to worry if your back foot is right over the fins to turn. This sounds great as I usually find myself halfway along the board driving for speed and then think " foot back" to turn. For some reason I can't understand the "put your back foot on the tail pad" to accelerate? Seems to bog it down for me. I'm usually up and pumping rail to rail, then to turn its foot back. I'd rather not have to think about it - like a surfboard.
And if this is what the flow is like, and with stability, I'll "Go With The Flow"

Yep good choice especially if you don't want to have to find your back foot
But in saying that my jp If I want to shove it vertical into the face I have to Jan the tail real hard but keep in mind these are sup a lot of board

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bobajob said..

cantSUPenough said..
Excellent info STC - as always.

Those photos tell us so much - and that is exactly how I hoped the Flow would perform.

But I have to wonder about the comment on the Sunova page - "The FLOW is the closest you get to actual surfing on a SUP." and "...you will think you are surfing." Now I am wondering what I have been doing for the last two years...

Probably, as STC's photos show, like a surfboard it is stand and deliver. Not having to worry if your back foot is right over the fins to turn. This sounds great as I usually find myself halfway along the board driving for speed and then think " foot back" to turn. For some reason I can't understand the "put your back foot on the tail pad" to accelerate? Seems to bog it down for me. I'm usually up and pumping rail to rail, then to turn its foot back. I'd rather not have to think about it - like a surfboard.
And if this is what the flow is like, and with stability, I'll "Go With The Flow"

And that's what makes it really interesting to me. There are times when it is fine to get on the tail, and the Speeed is a ton of fun - but I would like to be able to ride it more like a normal surfboard.

But I may need to sell one of my existing boards - buying another board may be a bit excessive...

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Foam said..
Yep good choice especially if you don't want to have to find your back foot
But in saying that my jp If I want to shove it vertical into the face I have to Jan the tail real hard but keep in mind these are sup a lot of board

I went to do a cutty on my surfboard the other day, got mixed up as to what I was on and stepped off the back. Cut short that ride!

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cantSUPenough said..

bobajob said..

cantSUPenough said..
Excellent info STC - as always.

Those photos tell us so much - and that is exactly how I hoped the Flow would perform.

But I have to wonder about the comment on the Sunova page - "The FLOW is the closest you get to actual surfing on a SUP." and "...you will think you are surfing." Now I am wondering what I have been doing for the last two years...

Probably, as STC's photos show, like a surfboard it is stand and deliver. Not having to worry if your back foot is right over the fins to turn. This sounds great as I usually find myself halfway along the board driving for speed and then think " foot back" to turn. For some reason I can't understand the "put your back foot on the tail pad" to accelerate? Seems to bog it down for me. I'm usually up and pumping rail to rail, then to turn its foot back. I'd rather not have to think about it - like a surfboard.
And if this is what the flow is like, and with stability, I'll "Go With The Flow"

And that's what makes it really interesting to me. There are times when it is fine to get on the tail, and the Speeed is a ton of fun - but I would like to be able to ride it more like a normal surfboard.

But I may need to sell one of my existing boards - buying another board may be a bit excessive...

And you'd have to change to canthaveEnoughSUPs

But I may need to sell one of my existing boards - buying another board may seem a bit excessive... ( fixed it for you)

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Foam said..

AA can you tell us about the new flow completely different board
As you are in the 90kg club I would guess you ride the 8,10 in both the flow and the speed
The new flow should be a lot more stable vs the speed
I reAly like the jp surf but I'm listed in chop
It seems that the new flow 8,10 is almost aimed at the 90kg rider to suit all conditions somewhat but still with performance
I would compare the 8,7 flow to my jp 8,10 stability wise so for me not a good size choice if I want for comfort in chop
To own both the flow and the speed might be a mistake

Hi Foam,

Depending on what you are looking for, if the scales are showing just about 90kg, then i think that either the 8'4 Flow and 8'5 Speeed are a bit more like it. If you like a little challenge, maybe consider the 8'1 Flow and the 8'2 Speeed. If you really want to rip hard and you're not afraid of a good fight, go with either the 7'10 Flow or the 7'11 Speeed. It can be done with great benefits- trust me.

One thing i don't really agree is reading everyone saying that on the Speeed you have to surf off your back foot. Unless people are using boards that are way too big for them, one should be turning having the back foot over the fins to maximize the pivot point of the surfboard. If you're doing it right, you should already be pretty close to the right place.

I surf with a 7'11 Speeed and my feet barely move when going for a turn for 2 reasons: my back foot is over the fins almost all the time, and the board is so narrow that you don't really need to move your back foot towards the rail to turn harder!

Cheers,
Johnny

Pound for pound, Speeed is the best board I have ridden and owned. I do concur that you need to have your back foot quite far back as it has little curve.

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JohnnyMaya said..

One thing i don't really agree is reading everyone saying that on the Speeed you have to surf off your back foot. Unless people are using boards that are way too big for them, one should be turning having the back foot over the fins to maximize the pivot point of the surfboard. If you're doing it right, you should already be pretty close to the right place.

I surf with a 7'11 Speeed and my feet barely move when going for a turn for 2 reasons: my back foot is over the fins almost all the time, and the board is so narrow that you don't really need to move your back foot towards the rail to turn harder!

Cheers,
Johnny

Fair call. From now on I will preface my comments by stating that I am a mortal, non-circus-performing, aging, balding, surf-SUPer whose ability to balance in choppy conditions means he rides a board that is 1 foot longer than it should be. At 90 kg I can't ride the 7'11 94L board and so I need to move my foot back. But I agree that this situation probably only applies to me.

Exactly as you point out, on my 7'10 Minion I don't have to move my back foot, but it has more volume. But even with 125L I need good conditions. But again, that's just me.

I love the Speeed and I clearly need a smaller Speeed or Flow. As Bobajob says, it will only seem excessive to get another board

HI Johnny

Thanks for the info yes I agree with your recommendation but I would add that the sizes you picked would be ideal and very similar to my jp 8,10 is both performance and stability

But only in the right clean conditions , reason why I mention the 8,10 speed and the new 8,10 flow
The flow being a slightly bigger board to make life in chop more relaxed .
The sizes you mention are easily doable I guess for myself based on my board now but clean surf only.

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cantSUPenough said...

JohnnyMaya said..

One thing i don't really agree is reading everyone saying that on the Speeed you have to surf off your back foot. Unless people are using boards that are way too big for them, one should be turning having the back foot over the fins to maximize the pivot point of the surfboard. If you're doing it right, you should already be pretty close to the right place.

I surf with a 7'11 Speeed and my feet barely move when going for a turn for 2 reasons: my back foot is over the fins almost all the time, and the board is so narrow that you don't really need to move your back foot towards the rail to turn harder!

Cheers,
Johnny

Fair call. From now on I will preface my comments by stating that I am a mortal, non-circus-performing, aging, balding, surf-SUPer whose ability to balance in choppy conditions means he rides a board that is 1 foot longer than it should be. At 90 kg I can't ride the 7'11 94L board and so I need to move my foot back. But I agree that this situation probably only applies to me.

Exactly as you point out, on my 7'10 Minion I don't have to move my back foot, but it has more volume. But even with 125L I need good conditions. But again, that's just me.

I love the Speeed and I clearly need a smaller Speeed or Flow. As Bobajob says, it will only seem excessive to get another board

How would you compare the speed to the minion surf ability and stability ?

It is a bit difficult for me to compare the Speeed to the Minion as I have the 8'10" x 29" Speeed (130L) and a 7'10" x 29' Minion (~125L). Similar volume but different dynamics.

As a 90 kg, 6'3", 53 yo, intermediate (at best) SUP surfer, my opinion is:

1. The Speeed is much more stable, faster across the wave, easier to catch the wave (because of glide, stability and maybe tracking), and faster to paddle back out after the wave (faster and a bit easier to punch through waves)
2. On a small wave I would prefer the Speeed
3. On a gutless wave I prefer the Speeed
4. Because the Speeed is oversized for me I need to get back or else it is stiff to turn.
5. If the waves have a bit of fun to them (size and oompf) the Speeed is a ton of fun.
6. But if the waves have a bit of fun to them AND there is not much chop/confusion, I would prefer to be on the Minion. As Johnny points out, my back foot is already back over the fins so I don't have to move it much, if at all. Personally I feel as if I can make more turns on a wave with the Minion.
7. The Speeed is lighter, better looking, and MUCH easier to carry.
8. After wiping out, when you pull too hard on the leg rope and the board comes zooming back at your head - I would prefer to be on the Speeed. The Minion fangs could take an eye out

I went out this morning on sloppy waves. I made the most of it on the Speeed. I would have been a very frustrated boy on the Minion.

Hope that helps!

Very well said and thanks for the details
After being on the 8,10 speed do you feel you might of done the shorter board or at 90kg you think just plain hard work especially in chop.

Good question, but it is hard for me to say... I am glad to have the 8'10 because there are lots of occasions when the conditions are not great and I am happy with the stability of the 8'10". For me, if the conditions get worse I jump on the 8'8" X32. If they get better I jump on the 7'10" Minion. So the 8'10" works for me. But if I had endless funds I would love to add either a smaller Speed or a smaller Flow - I need to try them both to decide - but I am leaning towards the Flow.

Just for info I'm told by sunova the flow 8,10 will be far more stable that the 8,10 speed and my jp surf

I guess if you compare to the jp 8'10
The flow is 1'1/4 wider and 5 more litres
Sounds good in theory but it's not a massive change

I reAly like the jp surf and it surfs very well but ...
Give it a little unstable water and I feel at 90kg it's Boarder line in chop .
Sure spend days on end on it it becomes one with you but if the surf is crap for a week then it becomes hard work again
So I want more stability in all conditions but want a board to surf like the jp.
I'm just not sure 5 litres more and just over a inch wider will cover this.

Hi Foam, see your board on TM have you decided what to replace with I got told 3 months wait for a Flow

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Foam said..
I reAly like the jp surf and it surfs very well but ...
Give it a little unstable water and I feel at 90kg it's Boarder line in chop .
Sure spend days on end on it it becomes one with you but if the surf is crap for a week then it becomes hard work again
So I want more stability in all conditions but want a board to surf like the jp.
I'm just not sure 5 litres more and just over a inch wider will cover this.

I understand that an extra inch (of SUP width) makes a big difference. Is there much difference in rocker? That would make a difference IMO.