Hi all

I'm after some help and guidance on the Sunova Surf. Not the most spoken about or reviewed board, but for the following reasons could be just what I after.

For reference I'm 54, 6'3" and 95kg. I currently own a 9'4" Creek and 8'10" Flow V1. I am a horizontal surfer (both in mind and body )

So to the question.

I'm after a do it all travel board. One that I can surf, the better half can paddle flat water and fits with the ever increasing flight baggage restrictions.

The board is likely to be used in the UK, France, Portugal, Sri Lanka and WA (Jan/Feb). So a wide mix of waves and conditions. These trips are not surf specific (for that I have the other boards), so I understand there will be a compromise.

My better half is smaller than me and a proficient paddler. However she prefers a stable platform to make the experience relaxed.

My solution to the above is a Sunova Surf, utilising the 2 piece construction method. I'm aware that the board will be heavier and possibly stiffer, but think in a longboard this is less of an issue.

So any feed back on the Surf would be greatly appreciated. The Sunova website makes great claims on it's versatility, does it live up to them?

Plus for anyone currently using a 2 piece board, how's it going.

Many thanks
AG

Agbac,there is a write up ,back in the day on the breeze,I think by Sam at Balmoral sup,comparing it with the style.IMO This board was created to compete with the 10.6 Naish Nalu ,in fact sunova pretty much admitted that !,the dynamic of business.!The naish is a valid option,I have had three of them but moved on from the naish product,because of build problems,IMO if you are a sunova fan pay the $$$ and get the xxx construction otherwise get naish will be as good as a sunova tr3 construction if you are going 2 piece sunova will advise you I'm sure.

I've just sold my 10foot Sonova, it's called "The One." Truely for catching waves and stability you won't get a better board. I'm 93 kilo and always seemed to only get a half a dozen waves for the morning but on the One I was catching anything. It would be hard to go past that board. I've just ordered the 10'2" Wedge by Starboard but I have no idea about it's "True " performance. It has the same litres as the One.

I don't think that volume is a number one factor deciding the "wave catching ability". It is mostly the shape. As long as you can stand comfortably on a board volume does not matter. My small wave board is the lowest volume. You don't have stability issues in small waves. In fact, smaller boards can deal better with chop than large corky ones. When you are in larger waves where the whole water surface is moving in a major way you need more volume.

OP needs a multi purpose board. I think he is right that a long board shape is the ticket. They work well for flat water paddling and as long as they are not "logs" but high performance shapes they work great in a variety of surf conditions.

Depending on your wife's weight something like Starboard Longboard or Infinity New Deal would be a ticket. I own New Deal 10x29x139l. If you put a long single fin a lighter paddler (less than 90kg) can paddle it with a decent speed on flat water. With a standard thruster setup it works in anything from ankle slappers to double overhead, especially for heavier riders. Amazing board. For reference I am 106kg.

I've got a custom Surf 10'4" surf, 28" wide. Have had it for about 5 years now (i think).

Great for fat point waves for me (upto 2xOH), or cruising about... The Mrs loves it on flatwater with a single fin in it... or small waves for her. Anything bigger than shoulder high waves and the board is just too big for her.

If I was to do a custom LB sup again, I'd get a similar shape, albeit smaller, say 9'6" at most.

If you went down to 9' you don't need to get a 2 piece board for travel... just something to think about.

I own and two piece Sunova Surf (10ft by 29).

I've occasionally used it around WA and took it to Byron during a window of open borders earlier this year. I got it to be able to take a board on work/non surf trips so I didn't need to deal with roof racks/annoyed wife. It works well, there is definitely some extra weight but it doesn't really function to the detriment of the board (and probably makes nose rising easier).
For reference I have a number of custom smik longboards, and a custom revolution. Which is probably why I don't really use the two piece.
If you want to pick one up in WA (have a custom bag for it) I'd be happy to part with it.

I have had a 10'6 Surf for 6 years... it is a very nice longboard surfer.
Haven't tried it as a 2-piece.

here's a 5 year old vid surfing the 10'6 Surf in both XXX Balsa construction and Eco construction

The custom 10-6 Surf that I have is the most all around one I have ever had. At your size it will feel great and ample. IMHO it is the extra
volume, about 30l over my min, the thinned out rails and pulled in tail that make it truly for any day/spot. From tiny peelers to overhead stormy bombs the board won't deny.

Many thanks to you all for your thoughts and options offered, it is very much appreciated.

Hoppo3228 l agree that a shorter board could be the answer. However airlines operating out of European airports were starting to enforce a 2m or 2.5m surfboard length restriction before COVID. I believe they will use this as an excuse to decline or more likely charge a lot more for any oversized luggage.

LBax great to see that I'm not total mad with my idea. Many thanks for showing me 1 in the flesh. Reduced travel and wife hassle is exactly my reasoning. Having seen your quiver, if the Surf holds up in that company it must be ok.

STC would I be correct in assuming stability is no issue. I know it's never going to complete performance wise, but would hate it if it was a struggle in poor conditions as well.

Surfinj have to say you blue custom is 1 of the reasons for considering the Surf, good to hear your still happy with it.

SB

Select to expand quote

AgBak said..

STC would I be correct in assuming stability is no issue. I know it's never going to complete performance wise, but would hate it if it was a struggle in poor conditions as well.

SB

Both my Surfs were 10'6 x 30" at 160 liters.
Much more stable than your 9'4 Creek, so no issue for you.

I have been around 107 kg for most of the time I surfed it, and it was always easy stability.
I paddled it in flat-water a lot before I got the 14' Search and the Pointbreak.