Hello, advice needed. On Sunova Speed 7'6, I'm only a little guy, 165 cm, currently riding the Sunova Speed 8'5. Interested in dropping down in size. Have surfed for 42 years, just taken up supping in the last 6 months, and loving it. Would like some feed back on the Sunova Speed 7'6, if any one can help.
Cheers

HI Greg, in a similar position myself. Never ridden one and only seen one on paper.
Intuitively the speed fits the bill, but 24" is pretty bloody narrow.

Hi Greg.
I have ridden my brothers 7'11 Speeed and it is more stable than my 7'10 Acid.
You said you are 165cm but how much do you weigh? You could be hitting the pies hard and 100kg...which will make it hard
I am 70kgs and have been supping for about 7 years and surfing for 35 years. I to was contemplating the 7'6 Speeed. I think it would be hard work but doable in the right conditions and well worth the effort once on a wave.
Jacy Shimahara is 80kgs and rides the same board....but he's a pro.

I can kinda help however it's not a direct comparison of the 7'6 Speeed but rather the 7'8.

Over the past 3 years, I've tried all the Speeed's ranging from 7'8 to 8'10 & I initially settled on the 8'5 which cemented it's spot in my quiver. I subsequently dropped a few kegs + I now paddle on a regular basis so I traded my 8'5 for an 8'2 approx 1 year ago.

At the start of this year, my objective was to find a low volume 'short' board that I can also travel with (some airlines get grumpy with anything >8') so I tried the 7'8 & 7'11 Speeed along with a 7'10 Acid & the 7'8 Speeed came out on top mainly because the Acid is too much like hard work + I already own an 8'1 Acid which I love. A few things to note:

- I'm 80kg / just over 6' & I can only use the 7'8 when it's clean otherwise stability is an issue i.e. there's no way I could handle the 7'6
- it sits a lot lower in the water vs my 8'2 Speeed so I definitely sacrifice some glide into waves
- that trade-off is well worth it once I'm on the wave because it's fast / manoeuvrable & feels alive
- it wouldn't be possible for me to paddle a traditional shaped board @ 25.5" e.g. my 8'1 Acid is 27.25" wide
- I rate the 7'8 Speeed as my most playful/fun board although, I use my 8'1 Acid more frequently because I find it fractionally more stable (despite the pulled in nose & tail) @ 89L + it's got that X-factor...for me

Bottom line, it all depends on what your objectives are & like Traff mentions, how much you want to push things (age / weight / your local conditions & skill level all count) but if you want a versatile & fun board, the sub 8' Speeed's are a blast

PS - what really sold me on the idea of a owning a low volume Speeed was watching guys like Marty & Casso tearing it up on 1!