Tested out the Infinity Blackfish this week. 14 foot 26 inch wide.I rate it. coming from my regular board being the fanatic falcon (two very different board designs) I was really keen to see how it handled in my usual training area Sutton's beach Moreton Bay. picked a 15-20 knot North east wind day to do ins and outs from the beach so it was short sharp very messy ocean.

The upwind into chop conditions the BlackFish blew me away. The nose design is spot on for this. A lot going on underneath the board with the front end through to the concave and the rails. I am a huge fan of pin tails for ocean/down winding though the bumps I was catching out there for an hour and half in messy conditions the Blackfish tail works and works well.

Everyone says how stable every board is. I know its the first thing everyone says about a board. For me personally I'll paddle anything from 23 to 30 wide. My falcon isn't the most stable of boards when getting back on the tail for obvious reasons (not a bad thing) though I enjoyed the ease of moving around on the Blackfish with out ever thinking about stability in the messy conditions.

I highly rate the Maliko as the perfect all round one board quiver. Awesome upwind, goes great in the flat and loves the ocean. After this quick test I think the Blackfish nudges ahead of the Maliko in upwind conditions and is on par with the Maliko in the flat after doing a quick flat water session on it and I would be confident it excels down wind like the Maliko and I am keen to get it out on a Nuking 25kn Moreton bay Down wind run.

Construction wise feels strong (as they all do these days)
weight it feels light in the hand, feels light in the water.

quick vid below. 99% of footage was water dropped or gopro was turned off rookie error. I am certainly No DJ when it comes to Footage quality.

edit: may have to click HD in youtube settings for better quality...

Hello Andy,
My go to board is a 2015 Blackfish 14' x 26" :-)
I do have the multi-fin setup (not for downwind...)
Inasmuch as you also paddled the Whiplash 14' x 27" and that the two boards should have the same stability according to Dave, how do you like one compared to the other on flat water.
The 26" is great all around. On flat 24" is even nicer (a friend of mine has the 24")

Cheers,

Luc

Select to expand quote

LucBenac said...
Hello Andy,
My go to board is a 2015 Blackfish 14' x 26" :-)
I do have the multi-fin setup (not for downwind...)
Inasmuch as you also paddled the Whiplash 14' x 27" and that the two boards should have the same stability according to Dave, how do you like one compared to the other on flat water.
The 26" is great all around. On flat 24" is even nicer (a friend of mine has the 24")

Cheers,

Luc

I liked the BLACKFISH better than the whiplash because I think the BLACKFISH would be better all round. I would love to have the BLACKFISH in 24 wide. I'd actually love to try the whiplash in a skinner width too.
BLACKFISH at 26 though that is suitable for every ability paddler.

it does look impressive in action

Select to expand quote

laceys lane said...
it does look impressive in action

Doesn't look impressive with me in action. Haha
But it does look good when you watch candice or slater flying on it!

Looking forward to mine. I pre-ordered the 14x25 from 2017
Should arrive in Portugal in February

Select to expand quote

Select to expand quote

AndyR said..

I would love to have the BLACKFISH in 24 wide.

Well now I do. I got a 2015 Blackfish 14'x24" from a friend at a really good price to keep company to my 26".

This Board is something else all together!!!
Have flogged the demo over the last week in all conditions flat water to surf, there really is nothing this board cant do.
I have a seriously bad habit of being heavy on the rails while paddling, therefore rail steer and don't always track straight efficiently. I have found that not to be an issue on this board, yet still retain the control I have on softer boards. Whether its myself at 90kgs or my wife at 65kgs, the board effectively performs for both of us. The boards will be in demo in Queensland for the next couple of days before heading south to spoil you all down there.
Stay Stoked!!!

The 24" little brother of my 26" - one fro flat one for chop....