The re-sale on these boards is amazing!

Theres a guy on gumtree in perth selling one for $1500

I would rule out the Bam Bam: shorter, more curvy outline, no way to put a big fin ==> it will have the most row (paddles less straight)

And I'd recommend the Evoke over the Vex. The Evoke will be more beginner-friendly due to the wider nose and flatter rocker: more glide.

This said, I'd recommend a tad longer. At 64kg, the 7'11" will be stable enough for paddling, but the 9' will make you progress much faster in waves: you will catch more waves, meaning faster progresses. A 7'11" will require applying more paddling power to catch the wave, no issue for a light girl if you are dynamic, but most of the time, the needed paddling power is reached after some practice.

For the weight, most makers do not publish weights because they cannot control it, the weight varies too much between boards. The serious ones will publish a reference weight and a range (e.g: 8.7kg ±5%). If you buy in shop, bring a scale... 2 same boards will have different weights. Or try to phone the online retailer.
If you can afford it, carbon will be lighter, easier to put on the car roof.

PS: do not forget the paddle: a good, light paddle is much more important than most SUPers realize.

Just bought a 10' Evoke and took it out for it's mainden paddle. I'm just learning, so I wanted something stable for when the conditions are choppy. It was just what I was after. Nice and stable and pretty good glide. What I am really impressed with is how well it turns off the tail. It also has plenty of nose rocker, so no worries about nose-diving.

All round a great board to learn on, but one I think I'll keep long term as it performs well for a relatively large board.

Thanks MTB99 and Colas

Do the Evokes come with a centre fin or do you need to purchase separately ?

Took delivery of board today. 7'11 evoke carbon. Less than 24 hours from being sent from GC to Sydney.
Big thumbs up to The Surfboard Warehouse. I was nervous about delivery due to possible damage but the way it was packed and protected was above expectation. This will be a good board for me and the family . Most probably too small for me but will have a lot of fun on this and great value for money. The finish on the carbon is beautiful. Even if it scratches you will hardly be able to tell.

When applying rail tape to the evoke is it best to apply two separate strips to each side avoid air bubbles where the rail steps down on each side ?

I did mine in 1 continuous length. I used ion tape which I think is the same as rail saver pro. Just heat it up a bit with a hair dryer first and while your doing it and it's much easier. I've got no bubbles and looks a treat.

Electrical tape on the blade of your paddle, two layers. Far easier to apply, far cheaper, no horrible aesthetics on the board, real easy to remove and replace at point of need.

I like Yt04 have the ION rail tape. Glad I spent the coin, enhances the look of the board IMO and is thick and strong. The reason I tape on my paddle is to protect the paddle not the board.
Anyway, I'm getting withdrawals as I need a new wettie coz it's fresh in South oz. Lucky I have a new one on the way.

I am not personally familiar with the SW range, but as you may have gathered, you have to plan around maximum weight and 15 kg makes quite a difference... So for 90 kg and new to SUP you need to go for 9'6" as a minimum and probably 160 liters as a minimum. If you have good natural balance and are willing to put up with a bit of frustration (a few unintended swims) you can go a bit smaller - it won't take long (with frequent use) for it to feel quite stable. At 75 kg you could drop in size and volume, but then the 90 kg person will struggle. Many of the SUP suppliers will let you demo a board - but remember, what you may be comfortable on could be challenging for the bigger person.

Hope that helps.

dirtburp said...

airsail said..
Does anyone know if Waterborn use standard or fused cell EPS Cores for their boards, just says EPS foam on the spec page. Thanks

TimBurleigh said..
7'11 is coming in in Fluro Green! I adjusted the shape file so that the rails are 5mm lower and sharpened the edge through the fin area even more. We dropped the rails across the whole new range and gave all 3 constructions a new face lift. Although the rails have been lowered to assist with performance I spread the voume out from the stringer so that we didn't loose volume in the board. This way big guys like me (I'm down to 88kg now) can still paddle the 7'11 with less effort than most performance 9'0's on the market. We will have a full video on the board soon detailing both construction and demonstrating how the surf (using our sales team). If you can't wait for that... we have just filled our stores with them and they are currently outselling all other boards :)

I Can't see the 2017 7'11 on the website...I wanna buy..

Might have sold out already, they go pretty quick. Drop them a line and they'll let you know when more are due to arrive. God luck.

Has anyone been on the 2017 7'11" waterborn carbon evoke yet, the green one?

Jugglesup said..

Chopsup said..
Has anyone been on the 2017 7'11" waterborn carbon evoke yet, the green one?

I just bought one last week just as a casual flat-water board to keep at my family's holiday unit near Forster. I did almost no research as it was on a whim and took delivery in about 10 hours. I'm only 5'10 and 66kg or so, so I knew it would be big enough to float on and I could tell it was a good price, but until I read through this forum I had no idea what I was really getting myself into(and how ridiculously good the price was); now I can't wait to go paddle surfing! I got it second hand from a tourist in Syd who bought it online but was leaving the country before ever using it, fins and rail tape still in the packaging, tag still on the sup bag, came with the premium pack incl. atlantis carbon paddle. Only tried it once so far and only on a local freshwater lake!

Nice purchase and probably a bargain too! You'll have a blast!!!

Does anyone know why they don't do an 8-10 evoke?
Just seems a natural inclusion.

Kerr-e said..
Long time lurker (and long time surfer) - have been mucking around on a 9'7" PSH Hull Paddler for a couple of years mainly on flat water (ie fair portions of summer in Perth), but have been catching waves for the past few months. Yes, I am now hooked and so took delivery of a 7'11" Carbon Evoke last week.

I certainly relied on opinions in this forum and loved your vid Whitey (yt04).

I was of course stamped urgent to have a crack and was straight down to the beach the following morning before work. I have to say it was a bit of a learning experience and struggled with stability compared to the PSH. Whilst I caught a couple of waves, I also managed to sprain my MCL stacking it.

My demographic is fairly similar to others here - wrong side of 40 and around 87kg. I am hoping that it is just practice/time in the water that is the answer. I am happy though to receive any tips or knowledge!

Cheers, Kerr-e

I reckon it will come with practice, Kerr-e. Stick with it. On paper 130 litres should do you. But a lot of us have little boards for certain days, big boards for other days and medium boards for when it's a bit choppy for the first board, and a bit munchy for the other one. Goldilocks and the three boards. There's always one that's just right. And a happy ending.