Hi Gang,
Got my new Glide Thursday and gave it a try out Yesterday.
I checked the river because we had a 15 to 20 kn easterly blowing straight up the Maroochy river between Chamber is and the motorway bridge. I saw there were little runners and maybe I could pick them up on the Glide. So I gave it a go paddling up river with the wind on an outgoing tide. Catching the little runners easily. Then turned around and paddled back to the car hugging the bank to get out of the wind as much as possible.

I then went to Mooloolaba and surfed the swells coming past the rock walls into the bay. It was easy to paddle on to the swells and get nice long rides. Easier than the Hobie I previously had, although the Hobie surfed a tiny bit better I thought. Just because it was easier to turn I think? One thing I particularly noticed is how the rails don't catch on the Glide. A few times surfing along these swells in the spot were they were breaking if I'd been on the old Hobie the front rail would have caught and tipped me off however with the Glide they just don't catch, awesome.
And it is SUPER stable. I can't wait to get out on my first downwinder with it! I reckon I'll love it.

Despite it being brand new, it had a small repair done on the deck just on top of the left rail in front of the deck pad.
Bit disappointed about that, but it's only small and not very noticeable.

Cheers,
Ken.

Sorry, posted this in the wrong place, should have been in the board review section.
When I realised I was unable to change it.

I saw you out mooloolaba at low tide{I had the blue cap on}, the new board looks good. I will hit you up for a downwinder when I get a new 14 footer.

Nice one Ken, it'll be interesting to see what you think of your new paddle too?

I reckon the new glide 14' is a very versatile board - I guess this applies to a lot of other 14s and probably the 12'6s: I just love the fact that you can paddle a few km no sweat at all, surf just about anything, then paddle back, and then the option to throw in a downwinder or 2 when conditions suit - perfect. A lot of freedom in that and a great way to get some water to yourself.

The Maroochy River mouth looks like it would have some classic little waves?

Interesting comment about the repair - my board (GS) also has a tiny patch were the yellow spray didn't fully cover - not really noticeable as it is close to the deck grip (maybe they assumed it would get covered by the grip), but in any case, not the best quality control.

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wadeo said..

I saw you out mooloolaba at low tide{I had the blue cap on}, the new board looks good. I will hit you up for a downwinder when I get a new 14 footer.

Yeah, cool Wadeo, I'll be keen!

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foamballer said..

Nice one Ken, it'll be interesting to see what you think of your new paddle too?

I reckon the new glide 14' is a very versatile board - I guess this applies to a lot of other 14s and probably the 12'6s: I just love the fact that you can paddle a few km no sweat at all, surf just about anything, then paddle back, and then the option to throw in a downwinder or 2 when conditions suit - perfect. A lot of freedom in that and a great way to get some water to yourself.

The Maroochy River mouth looks like it would have some classic little waves?

Interesting comment about the repair - my board (GS) also has a tiny patch were the yellow spray didn't fully cover - not really noticeable as it is close to the deck grip (maybe they assumed it would get covered by the grip), but in any case, not the best quality control.

I agree to the versatility, that's one reason I chose this board.
As far as the paddle goes, I have a demo Kaholo 8.5 Vario while mine is on order, however I'm not really liking it that much now that I've had a chance to really try it. I'm thinking about cancelling the order and getting a fixed length? I'm going to have another go with it this arv before I make up my mind.

Fixed length and 8" blade is the way to go.. IMO

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DavidJohn said..

Fixed length and 8" blade is the way to go.. IMO

I am with you DJ on the foxed length and I believe you should test lengths until you get it right.

Until I bought my new Glide I was, like you, using 8" over head. I found with the extra thickness of the new Glide, over my old Fanatic Fly that I had to go longer.

I have bought. QB Kanaha and have it at 10" overhead, it seems to be just right, but I won't be gluing the handle until I have paddled it a dozen times or so, just in case.

ET.

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E T said..

DavidJohn said..

Fixed length and 8" blade is the way to go.. IMO

I am with you DJ on the foxed length and I believe you should test lengths until you get it right.

Until I bought my new Glide I was, like you, using 8" over head. I found with the extra thickness of the new Glide, over my old Fanatic Fly that I had to go longer.

I have bought. QB Kanaha and have it at 10" overhead, it seems to be just right, but I won't be gluing the handle until I have paddled it a dozen times or so, just in case.

ET.

I mean 8" wide blade.. Any wider IMO is too wide.. unless you're just cruising around and not paddling hard or not paddling into strong winds...

Just my opinion.. I know some people like a wide blade and that's fine.. The new Naish paddles are great.

I think the biggest improvement with the new shape Glide is not the added width.. Or the new rocker.. but the new rails that are almost a 50/50 super soft rail from the mid to forward parts of the board.. No more catching a rail or nose steering.. The board just behaves itself beautifully ..

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DavidJohn said..

Fixed length and 8" blade is the way to go.. IMO

From what I have seen in store.
Dosen't make any difference whether you get the Naish 8.0 or the 8.5.
They are both the same width. Try it yourself run a tape over them, they are both 8 inch wide, (7 3/4" to be exact), and within a bees dick of being the same area if they aren't exactly the same. I demo'd the 8.0 Makani and a 8.5 Kaholo and thought there didn't seem to be any difference in the resistance when paddling so when I finished I layed one over the other and to my surprise they were looking the same, slightly different shape. But back at the shop we had a closer look and even measured them and some others on the rack and found them all to be 8 inch wide and looking exactly the same. Are some labeled wrong? I don't know? But the 8.5 Kaholo compared to my Kialoha Methane is a smidge bigger, the Methane is 97 sq in, the Kaholo is labelled 98 sq in so I'd say the area measurement is about right. I was really after a 95sq in because I want something a bit easier than the Methane, the Kaholo is about a sq in bigger but doen't feel like it, I expect to the extra flex in the shaft. Feels similar to the methane, not as hard or responsive when quickly accelerating, hope you understand what I mean.

I took it out on some flat water yesterday, got to say I am liking this board.

I did some further evaluation of the Naish Kaholo Vario paddle. After Saturday I was thinking I may prefer a fixed length, and I still would if I could be comfortable with a fixed length for every type of use I have for the board. But I found for sprinting and I would expect for DWing I would have it at 79 to 80 on the scale that is on the shaft. And for cruising / touring I found it to be so much better at 84. That's a fair difference. If going fixed I would probably try about 81.

I found most of the flex comes from the upper portion of the shaft and the flex is greater the longer you extend it. For me the flex is ok for sprinting at the 79 length but go past 80 and it's just got too much flex to be effective for sprinting IMHO.

Others opinions may vary, this is only my opinion and am posting it with the hope it will be helpful to someone. I recommend doing your own testing where possible.

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KennyK said..
That's a fair difference. If going fixed I would probably try about 81.
.

I'm 6'1 and have found that 81" is the setting I use most on my vario when riding the glide. A 'short' setting for me is 79" and 'long' is 83". I played around with shorter settings, but my back wasn't up to it. Longer settings I end up hitting the board occasionally during paddle changes in rough water (surf or DW). I go for 79" when riding my thinner Nalu.

Regarding flex, I think the smaller surface area Naishs have a thinner shaft than the wider versions? I have the 9" blade (haven't measured it) with the thicker shaft version and I don't notice any excessive flex.

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KennyK said..

DavidJohn said..

Fixed length and 8" blade is the way to go.. IMO

From what I have seen in store.
Dosen't make any difference whether you get the Naish 8.0 or the 8.5.
They are both the same width. Try it yourself run a tape over them, they are both 8 inch wide, (7 3/4" to be exact), and within a bees dick of being the same area if they aren't exactly the same. I demo'd the 8.0 Makani and a 8.5 Kaholo and thought there didn't seem to be any difference in the resistance when paddling so when I finished I layed one over the other and to my surprise they were looking the same, slightly different shape. But back at the shop we had a closer look and even measured them and some others on the rack and found them all to be 8 inch wide and looking exactly the same. Are some labeled wrong? I don't know? But the 8.5 Kaholo compared to my Kialoha Methane is a smidge bigger, the Methane is 97 sq in, the Kaholo is labelled 98 sq in so I'd say the area measurement is about right. I was really after a 95sq in because I want something a bit easier than the Methane, the Kaholo is about a sq in bigger but doen't feel like it, I expect to the extra flex in the shaft. Feels similar to the methane, not as hard or responsive when quickly accelerating, hope you understand what I mean.

Very interesting that the 8.5 is actually less than 8.

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foamballer said..

KennyK said..
That's a fair difference. If going fixed I would probably try about 81.
.

I'm 6'1 and have found that 81" is the setting I use most on my vario when riding the glide. A 'short' setting for me is 79" and 'long' is 83". I played around with shorter settings, but my back wasn't up to it. Longer settings I end up hitting the board occasionally during paddle changes in rough water (surf or DW). I go for 79" when riding my thinner Nalu.

Regarding flex, I think the smaller surface area Naishs have a thinner shaft than the wider versions? I have the 9" blade (haven't measured it) with the thicker shaft version and I don't notice any excessive flex.

Hi KennyK, just wanted to chime in re: vario, my Makani seems to 'slip' quite alot and i am up to my 3rd paddle as the carbon collar area seems to start cracking if it is done up too tight (by the shop mind you) I had a Naish rep check it out and he confirmed there may be some slippage, i get about 2-3 inches on a 40 minute training flat water paddle....might be time to go to fixed length but for the investment i do enjoy the one paddle for vary(io!)ing conditions

I wouldn't get too hung up on the 8.0, 8.5 and 9.0 denominations of the Naish paddles - it's their way of indicating S, M and Large. You must look at the sq.inch figure to get an idea of actual blade size. The new Race LE blade is another level compared to the other 3 Kaholo blades - it's more expensive but the catch, lightness and easy of use is top notch - I'm even using it as my wavepaddle.

Just an update.

I ended up buying the Kaholo Vario after Luke at Ocean Addicts ordered a new one for me due to the one in stock being a bit loose in the clamp.
The new one is nice and tight, even the upper shaft is a tighter fit in the lower with out the clamp closed.
It's working perfectly. Thanks to Luke Jon, and Marcel at Ocean Addicts for indulging me in all the board and paddle demo's I needed.

I have been doing some ins and outs at the river mouth and have been able to catch runners and regularly link through to the one in front.
Now that is something I was never able to do on the old Hobie. So looking forward to my first proper D/winder!

Kenny u will home in on the magic paddle length that will do everything u want on a race board. takes a while to dind it until u get dialled in.

Wadeo and kenny let me know when ur going for a DW im in.

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skebstebamal said..

Kenny u will home in on the magic paddle length that will do everything u want on a race board. takes a while to dind it until u get dialled in.

Wadeo and kenny let me know when ur going for a DW im in.

No worries Steve, look fwd to it!