Just received my new Airborn, can't wait to get it in the surf ;D
Airborn meets Brancusi!
7'10 beside 8'5 x 29 Pro
The Airborn looks sick. Hopefully you can give a review and comparison to the 8.5 pro. What was your reason for adding the Airborn to your quiver when you already have the 8.5pro and going for the 31.5 over the 30"?
Think this a "freak" regarding 2014 boards, dont think the 2014 catalogue will be out for ages if the last few years are anything to go by.
As far as the choosing the 31 1/2 goes, I surf a lot in onshore messy beach break, used to have the 7'4 x 29 1/2 POD from couple of years ago and really loved it in those conditions but think the extra width will make it easier when its very rough. I really agonised about getting the wide board, funny to think this is not only the lowest volume board I've ever had but also the widest by far, going to be really interesting to see how it surfs.
Think I'll probably end up selling the 8'5 and getting either a 7'7 x 27 or 8' x 28 or whatever they turn out to be in the 2014 version, when its clean I'd much rather be on something smaller than the 8'5 x 29. Make the move from the one size fits all to two boards. The 8'5 is awesome but feels unecessarily big for me in good clean conditions because I'm only 68kg.
JC,
Good to hear you have chosen the 31.5 Airborn to give more stability in the choppy onshore surf. I understand when you mentioned that you want a smaller board ie 8.0 pro when conditions are clean. I am in a similar situation and similar weight to you where i am considering, downsizing from the 8.5pro on clean days, but looking for something to offer more stability when the onshore slop is heavy, so looking out for all the reviews :)
I'd like tohear how bigger blokes go on it...as in 90+ kgs... I reckon the width and less volume will make it achievable for us heavy weights.
Marco hinted that was a sub 9 ft new board or tweaked 2013 shape on the way with design similar to the Airborn, I hope so.
Interested in a 8 + footer with plently of width but less volume so its not so corky as the Starboard WP's , also need a bit more nose rocker for beach break surf here in perth.
Interested to see if a 32" board's stability is significantly reduced by shaving off some of the overall thickness and volume, it looks as if Starboard maybe onto something, I guess the JP Wide Surfs are also going that way.
Select to expand quoteskebstebamal said..
I'd like tohear how bigger blokes go on it...as in 90+ kgs... I reckon the width and less volume will make it achievable for us heavy weights.
I now a guy around the 90kgs who should be knocking on Rod's door as soon as the demo board turns up. HA ROD
Will let you know his thoughts
Select to expand quoteskebstebamal said..
I'd like tohear how bigger blokes go on it...as in 90+ kgs... I reckon the width and less volume will make it achievable for us heavy weights.
Yep I'm curious too, at just under 90kgs I think the 31 1/2" should be doable.
Not sure about a board that wide though but being thinner and low volume it might be ok, love the look of the thinner rails.
Hey JC,
Just checking to see if you have any reviews on the Airborne 31.5? How do you find the Airborne in choppier conditions when compared to the Pro8.5. Very keen to hear you thoughts on this board.
Select to expand quotewindup said...skebstebamal said..
I'd like tohear how bigger blokes go on it...as in 90+ kgs... I reckon the width and less volume will make it achievable for us heavy weights.
I now a guy around the 90kgs who should be knocking on Rod's door as soon as the demo board turns up. HA ROD
Will let you know his thoughts
Any reports for large lads yet... roddo...
hey Jonathan,
just purchased the 31.5 today
Wondering if you have had a session yet?
I can't get out till next weekend so I'm keen to here how you are going?
Cheers,
Bob
Hi guys,
Would be great to hear more about how this board surfs. Any reviews welcomed. Thank you.
Select to expand quoteIWB said..
Hi guys,
Would be great to hear more about how this board surfs. Any reviews welcomed. Thank you.
Hi Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
Where did you find that spec sheet John?Select to expand quoteIWB said..
Hi guys,
Would be great to hear more about how this board surfs. Any reviews welcomed. Thank you.
Hi All,
Contemplating getting one of these, so I'm keen to hear any feedback/comments on how the 31.5 performs, stability, float, glide etc. I weigh around 80kgs.
Cheers, LT.
I'd take the 30" instead of the 31 1/2.
It's a lot faster from rail to rail and not a lot less stable.
Last weekend on my homebeach was "coupe de France", I did see Benoit Carpentier's board , it might be a 7'4" 28" ...yellow board with the red shirt at around 2 mn
Select to expand quoteZeusman said..
so any update yet on how it goes? Also keen to know what it weighs.
Hey Zeusman, sorry to be so slow with an update. Been surfing the air Borne 31 1/2 in all sorts of conditions, mostly choppy windier beach break waist to head high waves. The stability is fantastic in those conditions although when its bigger and there is a lot of water moving it feels really small, just an impression, not that you fall off it just get moved around a lot.
Came from an 8'5 2013 Pro to the Air Borne and enjoy it way more, even in clean stuff the 8'5 felt too big and buoyant for me, so much easier to turn tighter on the AirBorne. Not even too big a difference in having to go more critical on the wave for take-off despite the length drop.
So all up I'm loving it, it's super stable, could very easily have gone the 30" for most of the time but I'm getting a 7'7 as my small board for cleaner waves so it's going to be a great quiver. The AB has that really fine rail, quick turn, skatey feel that I could never get on the 8'5.
I've put on a tail pad and waxed the board, just never feel as confident on the startouch as I do with wax, love that thing with these short boards that you can basicallly take one big step back and put your foot straight onto the tail pad.
Surfed a mates 31.5 & it was super fun in up to head high waves. Bit of a magic carpet . Easy board to turn when you want to. I had a wide point once but I hated the thick fat rails on the starboards so never purchased another one. Thought it would take a bit to get me to try another one .This is a different rail shape to any. SBs I've seen & my mate encouraged me to try it. I rated it pretty high. Stable enough to handle chop & backwash but super fast if you hold it high in the wave. I'd say fun all round board especially in snappy beach break waves. Hope that helps highly recommend
