The Style 9`6 x 27 @ 112 really is a great size board for advanced intermediate + riders if that makes sense as is at 27" wide is a potential challenge to many, however with its lower volume and slightly domed deck the rail shape is spot on as is the scaled tail rocker to a nice pin tail. Up front the nose is skinny with a shallow concave and the rigth amount of nose rocker, if there was any more in it the nose would stall the board under pressure ie hang 5 and 10`s. Turn the board upside down and you can see a really choice and progressive rocker from nose to tail.

You kinda have to feel the force with pearling as the rounded edges ( a bit like on the speed ) uncannily pop themselves out but aid the rider to slide the nose when up front with a twist of the foot which is pure grin factor. To be honest when i first rode the Style i thought what a donkey as it seemed to stick to the water and just didnt feel agile at all but then I had been riding the speed 8`5 alot so I gave it the benefit of the doubt.

The Style`s standard 2+1 set up properly kills the board / totally over finned. I have junked the side fins and run only the thruster which I have an 8" Joel Tudor as a bit more upright and perfect for days when you need a bit more speed + sharper more pivatal turns and a beaut of a hatchet 9" Miss Lucy for a properly locked in ride with juicy carves

The board is transfornmed and really comes alive even with the standard thruster, try it and you will see what I mean

Re sizes the my personal feeling is that a 9`2 x 26 3/8 with 105 Ltr + / - Ltr would be killer as is basically 3 steps to the nose which just allows you to chill / slide you way up front apres bottom turn and allows that proper Stoner type ride if you know what i mean :o))

9`0 = 3 step
9`6 = 4 step
10`0 = 5 step

For sure longer board = better glide + hides a bit of volume but if your in the average rider weight 70 - 80 kg then + 15 - 20 L of your wet weight is advanced + 30 is Intermediate advanced + 40 = intermediate etc

Fin set up once you get to grips with it does make a massive difference to all your boards but thats another chapter - will blog that one at some point

Anyway hope that gives you another perspective

:o))

Julius

SUP boarder review here

Select to expand quote

SunovaUK said...

Re sizes the my personal feeling is that a 9`2 x 26 3/8 with 105 Ltr + / - Ltr would be killer...

Fully agree :)

I've got the 10' and that's way over finned too. The centre fin is really swept back. Put a more upright centre fin and small side bites and it goes much better for classical, pivot-turn long boarding.

Nice write up SunovaUK... I agree, I always ride my longboard SUPs as a single.

The Style looks really fun, I can't wait to surf one!

uk,i guess you are talking about riding as a single fin? i agree that is the way to go for this board..all day long..and yes i think our single fins are too tippy...get the hacksaw out! :)

I have owned my 9'6 Style for 6 months And played with fin set ups a reasonable amount over that time.
Im quite light at a tad over 70kg, so very quickly found the fins that came with the board did not work at all for me. In fact it was stiffer and slower than the Laird 9'6 I replaced it with much to my disappointment. I then used a 7" rear fin with the stock side fins. Immediate improvement but still no better than the Laird. I then took the VP thruster set up off my FLOW to see the diff. It transformed it straight away. WAY looser and faster. A little less stable and not as good when up on the nose but not that much worse, so overall a much better board.
I have subsequently used the original centre fin as a single on it. OK on small waves and faster than the same fin with the sidies in.
I have also re tried the 7" as single and 2+1 set up to see how it went. Not a patch on the V8 thruster setup so I am sticking with that until someone comes up with another good idea.
Unfortunately it meant I had to go out a buy a new thruster set for my FLOW.... As I found the fins it came with were also too big for me.
Im yet to try the style as a windsup.... But aim to this summer. Am guessing the stock fins might be more suited to that so will start out my " fin journey" all over again !!!!

I have found that on smaller as in chest hi an 8" a more upright fin works v well / head to head and a half a 9" hatchet or 9 to 10 classic style fin works a treat. if its skipping out a Knubster helps alot without detracting from its origins.

Running the Flows thurster will be make the bard v twicthy up front so a no go really, watch what single fins your local loggers are using and that is always a great way to go as will suit that wave :o)

Hope that works , does for me

Select to expand quote

supthecreek said..
Nice write up SunovaUK... I agree, I always ride my longboard SUPs as a single.

The Style looks really fun, I can't wait to surf one!

you gonna love my man as it is well suited to your local wave, its like the Speeds fun factor but with Style - scuse the pun

LOL

Select to expand quote

KarlLQ said..
I've got the 10' and that's way over finned too. The centre fin is really swept back. Put a more upright centre fin and small side bites and it goes much better for classical, pivot-turn long boarding.

O yea and with with a choice paint job i think i would be dribbling

LOL