That was a great review I really liked the down to earth truth answer regarding stability for yourself
Great vid Rob.. Nice looking board and a big improvement over their last shape that thought was way too thin in the tail.. Shame they didn't do a 27 and 29 width rather than 25 and 27.. and I'd be taking that handle off because shuffling forward and back right on the centerline is important when surfing a runner.. My friend Luke had a strap like that on his DC and yesterday he said he accidently slipped his foot right into it like a windsurfers foot strap.. 
Yeah good point DJ re the handle , I haven't had an issue but maybe a flatter strap would prevent that.
if your dwng your most likely to be behind the strap and I would be questioning anyone standing the far forward in a surfers stance on a dw board .if for some reason you are that far forward you would be front on so the centre handle doesn't come into play
personally strap handles are the best. so much more control handling a board on a windy day.
don't change something a couple of people get tangled up on.
centre strapa are good
The best handles for DW boards are the SIC ones. Nothing else comes close (except maybe the very similar Blue Planet ones). And don't bother arguing with that, because it's FACT.
With the conditions and board combinations I DW in, I need to be able to move all over the board - from in front of the handle to the tail - without fear of tripping on something. So I'm with DJ on this one. There are certainly some conditions and/or boards where you don't need to move so much, though.
Strap handles are probably installed for financial rather than performance reasons IMO.
Major improvenment over this years board
Flat deck - much better than those super fragile edges of the dug out
Tail looks much better
Still lots of volumen in the nose
Thanks for the extensive review
I will have to agree with Area10 on the handle...
Great review Rob and the board looks great.
Seems there is a couple of different opinions re handles so just thought I would say I'm def with Laceys Lane, love the strap handles, had them most of my boards and never had a problem tripping on them.
As LL said when you are that far forward you are usually front on or at the very least more diagonal (only in a half surfer type stance) not right on the centre line.
Sure when you start stepping back your usually working the centre line but not up there.
Strap handles don't give you as much control when you are carrying them in wind as the SIC ones. I have two boards with strap handles and three SICs, and the SICs are easier.
But it's a nice looking board, and strap handles are at least better than the old style handles that were most common before the "ledge" style came out, and like the SIC ones they do allow you to use the handle for security - although it would be easier to cut or unfasten a strap handle if you did want to steal it, whereas if you did that to a SIC you'd face a big repair bill before you could sell it on.
I'm really pleased to see more ocean/downwind boards coming out. I wish I could try one of these in the UK.
Great review Rob. I have a 12'6" Race with the same handle. What's all the fuss about?
No big fuss
Some people like ne handle some like another, I personally find that the SIC is the best handle around, its just an added bonus nothing that really makes a lot of diffrence when in the water
Select to expand quoteArea10 said...
Strap handles don't give you as much control when you are carrying them in wind as the SIC ones. I have two boards with strap handles and three SICs, and the SICs are easier.
But it's a nice looking board, and strap handles are at least better than the old style handles that were most common before the "ledge" style came out, and like the SIC ones they do allow you to use the handle for security - although it would be easier to cut or unfasten a strap handle if you did want to steal it, whereas if you did that to a SIC you'd face a big repair bill before you could sell it on.
I'm really pleased to see more ocean/downwind boards coming out. I wish I could try one of these in the UK.
Any handle you can grab fully is good
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
Select to expand quotePeterP said...
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
I think it's just to show the rocker and how much nose lift there is and how much tail lift there is.. with a 500gm paddle on board.. 
Select to expand quotePeterP said...
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
Arrr. The big question nobody wanted to ask
Select to expand quoteArea10 said..
The best handles for DW boards are the SIC ones. Nothing else comes close (except maybe the very similar Blue Planet ones). And don't bother arguing with that, because it's FACT.
With the conditions and board combinations I DW in, I need to be able to move all over the board - from in front of the handle to the tail - without fear of tripping on something. So I'm with DJ on this one. There are certainly some conditions and/or boards where you don't need to move so much, though.
Strap handles are probably installed for financial rather than performance reasons IMO.
isn't the sic handle a patient design. I think I read somewhere it is. if it is no one can really copy it.
agree best handle. strap next best. last any handle that is fingers only . ledge or no ledge.
and ill argue with the likes of you any time I want thankyou very much
Select to expand quotePeterP said...
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
There is nothing to compute it wasn't floating down the river it was getting pulled at 4 knots against the current. I could have put a pro team rider on the board or me in ideal conditions. This is the best way to show how the board runs , it was a live tank test. As I said in the video I will let the board tell the story. I think it did 
Select to expand quotePiros said..PeterP said...
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
There is nothing to compute it wasn't floating down the river it was getting pulled at 4 knots against the current. I could have put a pro team rider on the board or me in ideal conditions. This is the best way to show how the board runs , it was a live tank test. As I said in the video I will let the board tell the story. I think it did
I think you are right - and DJ summed it up....
Select to expand quotePeterP said..
I'm still trying to compute what a video of a board floating down a river, with all of a 500gr paddle on-board, tells me about it's suitability as a downwind board?
Thats what it looks like when you fall of with no leash and blows away in the wind, always good to have that view set in you head and hope you never really see it!! hey DJ?
