Hello everyone,
I looking to buy a new board from my local shop and I have narrow it down to these two boards:
- Hokua 9'6'' GTW 2017
- Quest 9'6'' S 2017
40 yrs old
200 pounds ++
Intermediate level
3 yr experience
Surf prior not so well, but done it in Central & south America, South Africa and Fiji.
I live in Miami Beach. Usually, surf whatever is around my place or up to Cocoa Beach. Here in south Florida decent waves come in winter time, but mostly throughout the year we get small wind chop.
Currently, I ride a Naish Mana 10.0 2012 o 2013. It's fun, but now feels big and heavy.
I also have a starboard wide nose brush carbon 2014, 8'2'' x 32'' 123 liters, but it's very challenging and exhausting to paddle surf on windy and choppy days here in south Florida.
I'm looking for something stable, able to handle my weight, good for south Florida waves, that allows me to make turns and handle all types of waves (small to big/2Ft to 8ft) preferably.
Looking forward to hear your thoughts and suggestions.
Regards,
Adrian
Not sure the Hokua GTW is the right choice for your conditions? The Hokua is not really a windchop board so it won't be happy to turn in weak swells. The Quest looks like a rework of the Mana so an option for sure. Maybe look at the X32 if you are interested in the Naish boards. Sunova make killer boards so the Speed, Shroom, Skate models might be worth a look for your conditions?
Hi Adrian,
I'm glad you started this thread. I reckon the Quest looks like the right board for the job.... a good combo of shape, width and volume. I'm curious too - and I'm looking forward to hearing more about this board from people who have ridden them. (I had a 9'6 Hokua and liked it a lot in good waves and/or clean conditions, but not so much in the chop).
I'm sure you have seen this Quest clip, but I'll share it again anyway. Cheers:
I also love my 9'6"x 32 GTW Hokua but I do like the look of the new Quest.. It looks like a cross between my 9'5" Mana and my 9'6" Hokua.. I like the sound of the new construction.. The new fancy graphics look amazing but they will make any repairs tricky..
I'm New to the site/blog. I justed waked up, it's 7:00 am here in this part of the world and I am riding all these great advises from all off you. i really appreciate your support, every comment and time.
I met a lot of people from Australia when I was in Fiji and you guys are great people. BTW, I'm from Venezuela, born here in US which has been my home For the past 20 yrs.
I am getting to the conclusion that the Edge 9'6'' it's probably the best choice since is for all year around and any conditions. I can always used the starboard 8'2'' for a epic days which are rare around here, just sometimes in winter time even tho will be chanllening for me than a Hokua. I like the idea that the edge will be capable to handle bigger waves too if need it here in FL or if I travel.
I'm going to research a bit more before I make my mind and purchase any board. I promise that a you hear from me once I get to surf a decent wave.
Thank you again.
Adrian, I live in Naples, the other coast. I hear your pain. Florida surf is pretty sucky. I normally go to Jupiter-Sebastian for sup surfing. Problem with our waves is that it is a beach break everywhere. so when the waves start breaking it is breaking everywhere - sucks. You don't get that nice gradual breaking as you do in reef breaks. I have fanatic allwave 8.11 as well imagine icon 9.6 - great boards but i think they like better waves. My thinking for Florida is quite opposite from yours though. I would probably get something like a long gun shape board so i could get on the wave really early. Why I think that way - I prefer my sic bullet 12.6 in florida waves - surfs awesome but rails are a bit too thick for my taste. I would love to try sunova 12 ft search or atlantis venom (don't think you can get one in US). Cheers
Greg
