Hi Peeps,
Disclosure: OK, I am a North dealer, straight up, so you might as well start thumbing down now! ![]()
Since we have had the North boards I have now managed to ride all of them in powered conditions and can give some feedback for those interested. These are my personal observations and may not match everyone elses, but reckon I am not far from the mark ...... IMHO ![]()
I'll start with my Fave.
Jaime Pro 132 Summed up, a damn nice board. Fitted will with nice straps and pads. Lots of options for duck and stance when setting up. Quality fittings and nice finish. I think the TFC fins are a little big at 5cm but that's just me, it makes switching to toeside a little tricky at times.
It rides beautifully, fast and comfortably in chop. The first thing I noticed was how much pop it has. Simple back rolls off waves sent me a lot higher than what I am used to, over rotated a couple
. NO spray off this board, NONE! The asymetric concave bottom seems to make it ride nice and holding power is easy.
Just so easy to ride and wicked for throwing down powered pop tricks [}:)]
X-Ride 135 Summed up, a very good board for crazy conditions and holding power, or for learning. It's a little narrower than the Jaime and has raked surf styleish fins to make a more forgiving ride. It tracks very straight and has a little less pop than the Jaime although more holding power. I was able to ride at very high speed in chop that nightmares are made of and felt totally in control and actually comfortable. I haven't ridden it in surf yet but from the way it felt in the chop and shorey at Pinnas, I reckon it will be a no brainer. Pretty nice board for the beginner to high end of intermediate.
Mallory Pro 132 The first thing I noticed was it is a bit heavier than the other boards and has less flex. Different tail shape and otherwise similar to the Jaime in Plan. I couldn't find the sweet spot on this board although had no trouble riding it. It did everything I asked of it, but it just didn't gel with me. I think a bit too stiff!
A few riders who have demoed it really like it and reckon it is nicer for them, than the Jaime and X-Ride, so you'll have to decide for yourself by demoing. One of my team riders absolutely loves it and reckons it would be sick in bindings. Not for me though ![]()
Kontact 5'10" I had the chance to ride the Kontact 5'10" in small to medium choppy waves and strong cross on wind at "the island". The board is really nice under foot and easy to ride. I'm not used to small boards so I found it very snappy, and grippy with the Future fins as standard. They gripped and turned the board so fast, they threw me off balance a few times.
As a 89-90 kilo rider I found I struggled a bit in the smaller waves to get momentum when running down the line due to the narrow tail but I can feel the potential in decent head high plus waves in good down the line conditions. ![]()
The finish of the board is really awesome in gloss white with green graphics. Superb straps although not adjustable apart from on installation. I like Future Fins and the system in general over FCS although variety is less then FCS.
Make of it what you will, we have demo boards available if you are keen enough to make your own determination.
Good winds,![]()