HI Peeps,
We just received the 6'4", 6'0" Converse, Choptop and Protoy 135 for demo. Have them on the beach as we speak. The Protoy is even lighter than last years but feels more solid. Cleaner release step on the tip which should improve it's speed.
It has a new wood core so will be stronger than last years.
The 5'3" Choptop looks just plain sick! The Converse are sweet as and the new colours look wicked.
Come and visit us at Pinnaroo and go for a ride!
I'll write some reviews once I get a chance to take em for a ride.
Good winds,
So much fun. I hated last years Choptop, couldn't stand it, but this is something else!
Hi Peeps,
Finally managed to give the Converse 6'0" a decent run for it's money this afternoon at Scarborough. Waves were junky slop, some bigger ones around head high and maybe a bit more, mostly shoulder high. Wind was a gusty 15-20 knots Sou'westerly (cross on) and I was on a 7m Ozone Sport II.
The board was just beautiful to ride, very very controllable on the bouncy faces. I absolutely loved this board! I found it did almost everything way beyond my expectations. Every turn was controlled and positive, every drop down a face was smooth. The fins never once felt like slipping at speed despite a bumpy wave face.
The only thing I noticed was that I had to really work at getting upwind, this is in part due to the lightish wind for the kite, but maybe also a bit to do with the small board and rounded rails. I felt the 08 may go upwind better, but the trade off for wave riding perfection is well justified IMHO. I felt my riding on the new converse was a lot better than my normal riding and I can only imagine this board in full clean down the line conditions 
A BIG tick from me. But as always, don't take my word as gospel, use as a guide, and demo it for yourself. Can't wait to try the 6'4" now! 
Good winds,
Quick comment on new 6.0 converse,have had it in 15 -18kts cross-on & 10-14kts cross-off,2ft slop to 5-6ft solid long period swell at Gerroa, Shoalhaven Heads, NSW sth coast. Ride strapped,board surfs like a dream,very responsive put it where u want when u want. As commented prior fins (fcs) hold nicely at speed, really nice snap when u drive into a turn, board went upwind nicely when powered up. All up really an easy board to get used to(many years surfing experience).
STOKED!!!!!!
Hi Kitehard
I have had a go of a 06 Converse 6'2". I have surfed for years but am a beginner to intermediate level with kiteing. (Can maintain ground, go upwind most times on a twin tip)
The few times I have tried to get upwind on the Converse, I tend to stall the board ie the nose is always popping up.
I have moved my back foot forward out of the straps and the nose tends to pull too much into wind as I try to get an edge.
Any pointers would be appreciated.
Hi FH,
Sorry for the delayed reply, I didn't notice your post til now.
When you switch from Twin tip to Surfboard, you need to adjust your foot weighting. With twin tips you ride with 80% of your weight over the back foot. With a surfboard, your weigh is about 55% favouring your back foot and 45% on the front foot.
You also need to ride the board a little more flat than hard on the edge like a twinny. Allow the fins to load up a bit more, they grip far more than wake fins, trust them and experiment with shifting your weight from front to back foot and allowing your feet to flatten the board a little, (progressively of course) to determine what works for you.
I also have my front footstrap in the forward holes on the front footstrap and in the centre holes of the back footstrap. That sometimes changes though depending upon wind strength.
I hope this helps and you enjoy the board. Make sure you don't jump the old 06, they aren't as strong as the new ones with the 'T' Stringer through the nose and the extra layers under the foot areas.
Good winds,
Hi again peeps,
I have had a chance to ride the new Protoy a few times now and can say it is honestly a big improvement on the previous years model.
The board is a totally different contruction having a wood core instead of foam which makes it stronger for a start and also seems to have a better flex response. New graphics look much better IMHO than previous and the new footbeds are Lux.
The major difference for me comes from the new detail on the water release step at the base of the flick tips. The previous board had been vacuum moulded and pressed but due to the manufacturing process, the water release step could never be "sharp (90 degree) enough" to release the water properly and the water would stick to the skin and create drag which to me always felt like there was weed caught on the fins creating a slow board.
I'm please to say the new hand finished step eliminates this problem and the board feels much faster and cleaner through the water.
Very impressed with the Airush board lineup this year, no duds amongst them from the boards I have tried thus far.
Get into it! And of course we have demo's available.
Good winds,
Hi guys,
I'm 6'6'' and 215' - and am looking for advice on which converse to pick.
will the 6'0 be too small for me?
i think i would prefer to get the 6'0 over the 6'4 (partly after the raving review of the 6'0 by its shaper and partly becuase 6'4 just seems a bit too big), but would love to hear advice from the more experienced.
i am def. not looking to paddle surf the board; so looking for advice for purely kiting (both strapped and strappless).
Also, any advice on the differences b/w the wood and the standard version?
(i'm not necessarily concerned about the price difference if the wood makes sense)
thanks!
M.
Hey Dorian Grey,
Are you in WA? If so, why not attend our informal little surf training sesh and demo both boards?
I would think with your height and weight (you're a big unit! 
) that unless you are going to ride in strong winds and big waves that you would be better served on the 6'4". It too is a sweet ride. Your weight will enable you to get more out of it than the lighter riders.
As for the Wood, it is reported to be a little stronger and definately sexier, but alas I don't think the importer has any for stock, you actually have to order them in specifically with the indent order. You may still be able to get one over for the last shipment, I think in early March, but I'm sure the guys at Auswind can let you know for sure about this.
I like the white ones because if you need to do a ding repair, it can be made invisible.
Good winds,
i just got my 6'0 -- it looks sweet!
any advice on which fins to use?
some people recommend replacing the stock ones... and more importantly mine came with no fins; so will need to get something in the meantime anyway..
again, i'm quite heavy (215); so may need something stiffer, but def. looking for advice here as i'm only now getting into riding surfboards.
thanks!
M.
i just got my 6'0 -- it looks sweet!
any advice on which fins to use?
some people recommend replacing the stock ones... and more importantly mine came with no fins; so will need to get something in the meantime anyway..
again, i'm quite heavy (215); so may need something stiffer, but def. looking for advice here as i'm only now getting into riding surfboards.
thanks!
M.
