Rider: 80KG intermediate/advanced
Style: Surf
Weather: 1 foot slop to 3 foot reef session.
Build Quality: 10/10
Satisfaction: 9/10
Disclosure: No stickers on my board/no friend in shops.
My Comments:
I have ridden the 2013 North WAM/2013 BWS Drifter/2011 Naish Global/Firewire Alternator/Rusty Magic door and Katanna boards in last year or two. My fav boards in Perth are the sugarcube/drifter/magic door.
Now the Sugarcube board is 5'10 # 18 3/8 # 2 3/16 with a reasonably wide tail with more lift than the drifter.
It comes with straps though I ride strapless.
Firstly these things are bullet proof and much stronger deck than drifter, firewire, rusty. The WAM and Global have as much strength on the deck but both unfortunately were a little too stiff for my bad knee and had more of a kiteboard feel rather than a surfboard feel. The sugarcubes deck held up to some late floaters and landing out in the flats a couple of times and no dings at all. It basically is a normal epoxy board like the drifter with wood laminate on top. So it still flexs (as much as you can expect on an epoxy board).
The wide and thick tail provides huge amounts of acceleration in fat waves and the lift provides easy turning. For those of you that have not tried a hybrid fish board you have no idea what your missing out on. It amazes me the amount of kiters still on toothpic surfboards in perth slop. If you want to 'surf' the waves in Perth metro you need volume, as our waves are ALWAYS fat. The more volume in the tail of a board provides more acceleration to help you gain speed in the fat sections of the waves. The only downfall is loss of traction on steep waves, but how often do you get hollow waves at your local Perth wave spot.
The rails are reasonably 'soft.' This also helps getting through fat sections as it does not get stuck on the front foot. When you land punts and turns the soft rails help you by not digging in and bucking you off the board.
There is average rocker (more rocker makes board faster turning but slower in small waves).
I was supprised with the control the board actually had, I thought it would have a much more skatey feel given the dimensions. While I could still loose the tail when getting right at the back of the board, the board carved much better than I anticipated and seemed reasonably smooth from rail to rail given the tail size on the bigger days.
To be honest the board reminded me of the drifter with a little more volume and I think thats why I like it so much. It trucks upwind and catches waves easily.
If I had big steep reef breaks I would ride a much narrower board with less thickness and a pulled in pin tail. (katanna custom). Though this board is a pig in small surf, catches rail easily and hard to get speed on fat waves.
When I ride small beachies/reefies I would never ride a toothpic board again. Even the surfers are all pulling the noes in, going wider and more volume/width in the tail of the board when surfing beachies.
If you have not tried a hybrid fish I recommend you at least give it a crack, and not just as a light wind option. Great to advance into 'surfing the wave' and also much more forgiving than a smaller 'pro' board so you can go for those punts or big hits (and get the speed to get up there).
I wont accuse him of anything, but I think sugarcube ripped of the drifter template and refined it, and made it a little stronger. These Sugarcube boards are so cheap and quality is as good as the big brands.
Still able to get above the lip
Still able to throw tail around
YEOOOW sick board and heaps of fun! (I have not written review and they are harder than it looks. Usually I would just say sick board!)
great review, might have to look him up as I have snapped my fav fish. Killer moves dude, keep ripping and thanks. I looked at that board on another review and wasn't sure about the hybrid nature but it sure is worth giving a try. I weigh about the same, (depending on the weekend :) ) so the 5 10 might be the go
cheers
if you got a free board, obviously your opinion will be 'this board is amazing' ect..
Pinch of salt needed here until you are given another free board form a different maker.. Then that one will be 'amazing' also.
Hey Nobs, you ignorant little man.
Ray doesn't give his boards away. Is everything you say such rubbish?
Nobs have we met? If we did I reckon it would be interesting. Anyway no I dont get free boards, the only free board I have got was from Jake Patterson when I was 12 years old and he saw me snap my board at Smiths Beach. Nice guy actually, and it WAS the best board I have ever ridden.
I paid for every board I mentioned up there. Fire wire snapped in one week, magic door snapped after six months, BWS has just creased after 1 year, sold WAM basically brand new and sold Naish to Andy only a few weeks ago (you still owe me andy!), Katanna hardly riden (indo board) and I have another 5 surfboards (at least here).
Such a helpful review Jono. Loved what you said about a bit more board at your back foot in Perth slop and anything under 3'. Was wondering - how does it compare to the North Nugget? For all the reasons you've described, i ride the Nugget. But my 5' Nugget is starting to look old. I'll definitely want to be looking at the Sugarcube in the near future.
Select to expand quoteJonopark said..
And Gorgo Sugarcube is a local wa designed epoxy kiteboard.
They are actually Polyester boards with a PU core, so no water intake if you smash a hole into it or crack the box on a reef etc.
After making windsurf board with polystyrene and styrofoam I wanted to stay away from the esky foam. on a board under 6 foot it only makes a marginal diffrence in weight but so much less hasles later using PU.
Not based on the drifter at all, the Sugarqube has a wider tail after the swallow tail and more rocker, the fins are closer together etc. The aim was to get the maximum up wind ability and still get the board to crank hard top and bottom turns.
If you are under 80kgs it probably will feel a bit floaty, Ideal is around 85kg -95kgs weight.
www.sugarqube.com.au/
Admitedly Jono makes it look good he is a radical kiter going for air, he is spot on about shapes and how they will make it easier to ride a kite board.
And no free boards at this point unfortunatly, Mr NoBS
"The aim was to get the maximum up wind ability and still get the board to crank hard top and bottom turns."
This board is sounding better and better. The thing about the North Nugget is that its upwind ability is second to none. Awesome. But, you lose a bit on cranking hard top and bottom turns. A board that can deliver a bit of both will be the bomb. Sugarqube, do you make different sizes? I'm 95 pies (on a good day.) Demo's?
Select to expand quoteSugarQube said..
Just a small correction Jono, they are actually Polyester boards with a PU core, so no water intake if you smash a hole into it or crack the box on a reef etc.
PU with bamboo deck then. What is the stock glassing weight Ray?Select to expand quoteFromSAtoAus said..
Was wondering - how does it compare to the North Nugget? For all the reasons you've described, i ride the Nugget. But my 5' Nugget is starting to look old. I'll definitely want to be looking at the Sugarcube in the near future.
Very different board to the nugget. Nugget has no rocker, huge double concave bottom, very wide generally and through the tail. The tail width requires quad fins.
Board weight with deck pads, without fins or straps is 3.5Kgs,
Jonos got the demo board, dont know if hes going to give it back...
I bought the sugarqube SB from Ray a couple of weeks ago and am absolutely wrapped with it. I was considering the Wam or Nugget but decided to take a chance with a local shaper that took time to explain the pros of his design.
I'm new to kiting, been doing it a year or so on a twinny and just switched to a SB in the last few weeks so bare that in mind when reading this review. Prior to the Sugarqube I rode an old underground SB a handful of times. The sugarqube does everything heaps easier and is way more fun. It feels really stable when gybing yet turns with ease. As a relative newbie it ticks all the boxes for what I was looking for.
On my first session on it I lost a fin. After speaking with Ray he had no problems giving me a new one for free. I can't imagine getting that sort of service from anywhere else.
I have nothing to gain by giving this board or Ray a plug - just genuinely pleased with the product and great price.
Start the car!!!
Select to expand quoteSugarQube said..
Board weight with deck pads, without fins or straps is 3.5Kgs,
Sorry - was actually asking about glassing weight used....?
Does the sugarqube come with straps or if not inserts? Jonopark says his has them but don't see them on the website..
board does come with inserts, hopefully with straps but not sure. At least you would have options...
Select to expand quoteJonopark said..
And Gorgo Sugarcube is a local wa designed epoxy kiteboard.
Apparently it's SugarQube with Q. That makes it much easier to find. www.sugarqube.com.au/index.php/kiteboards/kite-surfboard
Select to expand quotedafish said..
board does come with inserts, hopefully with straps but not sure. At least you would have options...
Board comes with a set of thruster fins and front / back deck pads, no straps but it has dual 6mm thread inserts for 3 positions back and front foot
Disclosure - At Kite Surf SUP we sell & demo the Sugarqube boards.
Sugarqube has done an awesome job of designing & building boards - surf board & TT - which are deliberately 'Perth Specific'.
The surfboard is the best & most innovative design Ive seen for making the most of the Perth slop.
The construction is pure genius - a recipe offering the best of all worlds for kiting. Feel + strength + performance.
The shape may not be what you want for your favourite paddle in board but is exactly right for kiting - esp on small & mushy waves.
Balancing a flattened rocker for upwind & kite powered riding with the extreme thruster positioning is a total success of thoughtful & seriously R&D'ed design.
There would be a huge % of Perth kite 'surfers' having way more fun on Perth waves riding the Sugarqube than they are now using their paddle in boards or their big name 'Kite-Surf Boards' which have all ''hardened the F up'' to avoid warranty issues.
The Sugarqube TT's, 135 & 140 are also the ideal ticket for forgiving, comfortable performance in crap ocean conditions.
I doubt theres a better beginner, or allround Xride, board out there. Comfortable & smooth through the worst chop & forgiving enough to keep any rider on the right side of the surface.
Yes I do demo & sell them. But only cos I believe what others may call 'hype'.
I am not in the market for a new board.....but I had a quick go on a Sugarqube a few days ago and if I was it would definitely be on the list.
I want to have another longer try, however I am scared that then I might be in the market for a new board.
Sugarqubes are sweet.
Here is another view of Jono putting it to the test.
I am anxiously awaiting mine. Snapped my fav fish several weeks ago so this review came at a good time. Hopefully the wind will keep charging as it has been when it gets here in a couple of days or so. Love the concept, looks like a winner in terms of template, strength and still having the flex of a normal board.
