With the Starboard demo van in town and a 20 knot northerly, we took the opportunity to test drive the range of 2016 All Stars in Melbourne a few days ago. The red nosed carbon board is the 28" wide downwind specific board. Check out the difference in the nose. The other 3 boards are 25" and 27" x2. We didn't have a 23" available.

I found the 28 red nose to be incredibly stable and caught the small runners very easily. As Rod from Starboard said on his maiden try "oh this is just cheating"!

I'm 95kg and it was responsive and not tippy at all and yet I took off! The board flex was interesting - designed to focus power. It was discernible but subtle. Made you feel part of the board. Super light and the recessed deck pad felt good under foot.

I didn't feel light I had to walk the board that much; I could simply shift my weight to get in to a wave.

I think I'm in love!

Great vid Paul.. Shame about all the water drops on the lens..

That was very close when I almost did a Liberace on the big 17' Ace..