I am going to go up to the Starboard demo next week up in Newcastle next week to see if I can score a Ride!!!!
Guys that paddled it at the Corona over the last few days said it was awesome.. 
My friend Jonathan has one on order.
DJ
We are traveling around the whole of Australia up until May with a heap of the new 2011 Starboard SUPs (including 2x 8'5" x 29")
So check out www.sup.net.au for details of the Newcastle and all other demos
We are heading to Queensland tomorrow, then back to NSW next week, then Canberra, Victoria and down to Tassy for Christmas. SA early December, then heading back up the coast...
Hopefully see you at a demo in the coming months,
Ian
I've spent a lot of time on the 2010 8'5" x 29", I absolutely love it. This board does everything, takes off super easy and turns when you want it to and as much as you need it to! Tried alot of boards similar size but this one is so versatile. Cant wait to try the new version!!
I have a 2009 8'5" pro is great board in clean conditions at 95 Kg, I would reckon if I weighed in at 80 Kg it would cover nearly conditions, you might want a gun if you are into huge surf.
Very happy with my 8'5 x 29 Starboard pro
Just got off the 9'8 onto the 8'5 and love it
-At 88kg I find the board very easy to move on the wave
-It floats me well and not to bad to paddle,Not as easy as the 9'8 but it's a small board
-Pops over the waves well
-If your fully into waves it's a YES from me
But if your not I would look around the 9'0
