With the assumptions:
1. I am doing point-to-point SUP
2. Always in Mediterranean Sea
3. Can not go bigger than 12'6"
4. I am 44 yrs old, 1,86cm, 98 Kgr
5. I am doing SUP for a year

and after a 3 months research, I end up with these 2013 choices:
12'6" Naish Glide GS
12'6" Surftech's Laid Bark

I would appreciate your views and thoughts.
Thank you
Aris

Both great boards..

I recomend the 12'6" Glide because that's what I have and it's such a great board.. Have you demo'ed both?

Is the Naish any cheaper than the Bark? .. If so, put the saved money towards getting a better paddle. (if you don't already have one)

Here's a pic of mine.

DJ

Nice picture !!!!
You are right DJ....Bark is +200euros...which I can spend them in a carbon Qb
How about Bark...did you even tried one ?

I like the Bark boards.. I like the 12'6" Laird Race more than the 12'6" Competitor because the standing area is more restricted on the Competior because of the dip (or raise) in the deck where the deck grip starts. Even on the Laird the grip seems a little short preventing you from moving forward even through there is no dip in the deck shape on the Laird (great).. I find that I have to stand with my toes right on the front edge of the deck pad and sometimes on downwinders you need to step that little bit more forward .. The Naish seems to have a few inches more deck pad in the forward area and the Naish board deck shape feels better when you step beyond it.. Both boards are 12'6" x 30" wide with a square tail.. Also.. I like the Naish hand-hole much better... For these reasons I like the Naish slightly more.. If they were the same price you could toss a coin to decide..

If you watch this vid you can see at the 2.40 mark what I mean about needing to step forward beyond the front of the deck pad sometimes.. I'm on my 14' Glide in the vid but the same happens on the 12'6".. even more so when in the surf using it in BOP type conditions.. (what the board is designed for)...

DJ

As a previous owner of a Bark 12'6 Competitor, I would definitely recommend one. I am 6'3 and 95kg and found it great in all conditions. very stable, easy to paddle and fast. Also very strong, mine got caught by a gust of wind in the carpark and flipped down a 2m high bank and then rolled along over rocks until it got jammed and stopped about 10m away. Only a few scratches.

DJ is right however that when catching small waves or swells you often want to stand further forward than the grip area and I sometimes found myself standing on the raised nose area which is very slippery. So the Naish may be a better down wind board or for surfing small waves.

Select to expand quote

DavidJohn said...
I recomend the 12'6" Glide because that's what I have and it's such a great board..
Here's a pic of mine.
DJ

Out of curiosity DJ, would you pick your 12'6" over the 14' version (I realize OP asked about 12'6"s)? What is the advantage of a 12'6" over a 14'? From what I have read the 14' goes better in open ocean and on flat. Maybe the 12'6" for in and out of the surf zone?

As of today, I am a proud owner of a Surftech Laird Racer 12'6" ;D

As of today, I am a proud owner of a Surftech Laird Racer 12'6" ;D