Hi,
I'm a bit over 50 years and 70 kilos and paddling for fun, views and conditioning, typically some 6 to 10 km paddles in flat sea, sometimes a little windchop. I also do some sportier paddles but most often it's an easy pace with my wife. I also get to paddle some small downwind bumps, but the archipelago makes it difficult to find bigger waves.
I currently ride an inflatable Gong 14x28 race board which I'm quite happy with and plan to keep for travelling and paddling in freezing temps. For the general use I'm looking for a hard race board (or two), preferably used ones.
The only hard race board I've had a possibility to test was a Starboard Sprint 14x22 which, to my suprise, would have an ok stability for me if I'd use the board only for "sports" and not paddling around with my wife too. Actually I did not fall once during an hours paddle with it (ok, I went down once when I started testing it for turns from the tail ;) ).
I am very fond of the idea of a dugout board like the Sprint I tested. It would let me shorten the paddle a little and choose a little narrower board. Among others I've been looking at an NSP Carolina 14x25 and a Fanatic 2019 Falcon 14x24,75 which seem to be available in Europe. However considering how small the bumps that I ride are I have started wondering if a Fanatic Strike 14x25 would be a better board overall? I'd like to go narrower than my current 14x28 (I've never fallen off it) for paddling comfort but I'd like to keep the width relaxed for day tripping, shooting photos onboard etc.
What is your take, a wider flatwater board, an allwater board or a flat rocker downwind board? Any suggestions?
Another option for you is something like the Edge pro 2.0 for ONE www.oneoceansports.com/edge-pro I would recommend the 14 x 25.5 which will give you great stability for 70kg but it is also a board that is unreal in the flatwater but can also handle the smaller choppy water no worries if fact I DW this board all the time in up to about 15knots and it is very fast. It will make a great touring fun paddling board for when you paddle with your wife as well. The other great thing is they are a Hollow construction which feels amazing to paddle and is very light!! these are Available all throughout Europe as well. Here is a list of the importers www.oneoceansports.com/contact.
Hi, I recommend the Sunova Allwater Faast Pro.I ended with a 14 x 27.5" Sunova Allwater and I'm pretty happy with it. I have had it out in the flat and downwind up to 3-4 foot waves so far, and it lives up to the name. Not to mention it's beautiful and a good touring board. I'm 96kg minimum right now on the 27.5 and find it to be quite stable. I think you would be stable on the 25.5" wide Allwater at 70kgs.
I was also considering a One Evo 2.0, Edge 3.0, Sunova Torpedo and the SIC Atlantis. Serious lack of board availability this summer and I was able to source the Sunova by chance the soonest, and jumped on it early summer.
Select to expand quoterobon said..
Hi, I recommend the Sunova Allwater Faast Pro.I ended with a 14 x 27.5" Sunova Allwater and I'm pretty happy with it. I have had it out in the flat and downwind up to 3-4 foot waves so far, and it lives up to the name. Not to mention it's beautiful and a good touring board. I'm 96kg minimum right now on the 27.5 and find it to be quite stable. I think you would be stable on the 25.5" wide Allwater at 70kgs.
I was also considering a One Evo 2.0, Edge 3.0, Sunova Torpedo and the SIC Atlantis. Serious lack of board availability this summer and I was able to source the Sunova by chance the soonest, and jumped on it early summer.
Oh the Edge 3 would have looked nice in those waters!! bummer no stock was around but hopefully more stock arrives soon so no one else has to miss out
Select to expand quotepaul.j said..robon said..
Hi, I recommend the Sunova Allwater Faast Pro.I ended with a 14 x 27.5" Sunova Allwater and I'm pretty happy with it. I have had it out in the flat and downwind up to 3-4 foot waves so far, and it lives up to the name. Not to mention it's beautiful and a good touring board. I'm 96kg minimum right now on the 27.5 and find it to be quite stable. I think you would be stable on the 25.5" wide Allwater at 70kgs.
I was also considering a One Evo 2.0, Edge 3.0, Sunova Torpedo and the SIC Atlantis. Serious lack of board availability this summer and I was able to source the Sunova by chance the soonest, and jumped on it early summer.
Oh the Edge 3 would have looked nice in those waters!! bummer no stock was around but hopefully more stock arrives soon so no one else has to miss out
No Evo 2.0 at all this year ordered to Vancouver as far as I know and a few Edge 3.0. The SIC delivery was delayed from june to july. Still want to try the Atlantis, Edge and Evo.
Select to expand quoterobon said..
Hi, I recommend the Sunova Allwater Faast Pro.I ended with a 14 x 27.5" Sunova Allwater and I'm pretty happy with it. I have had it out in the flat and downwind up to 3-4 foot waves so far, and it lives up to the name. Not to mention it's beautiful and a good touring board. I'm 96kg minimum right now on the 27.5 and find it to be quite stable. I think you would be stable on the 25.5" wide Allwater at 70kgs.
I was also considering a One Evo 2.0, Edge 3.0, Sunova Torpedo and the SIC Atlantis. Serious lack of board availability this summer and I was able to source the Sunova by chance the soonest, and jumped on it early summer.
Sunova looks stunning!
I ended up buying a used 2020 Fanatic Strike Carbon 14x25. The board feels buttery on flatwater and today I got to test it on a little downwinder with 7m/s wind and kneehigh bumps. It was definitely faster but also more demanding than my 14x28 inflatable Gong. It was asking for more stepping back and forth and "light feet" were required to avoid oversteering with the front rail. In the other hand the more I stepped back the more stable it got which is promising for riding bigger bumps actively. I'm also waiting for another board, a Gong Sherpa 14x26, which I ordered becuse it looked smart enough an allwater board for the bargain price. I'll tell how I like it.
I also tested a 14x21,5 Strike which was even more a joy to paddle on flat water but a nervous platform to stand or walk on. The deep dugout was great for secondary stability.
I quess I'll get better at riding bumps with the Strike 14x25 and the challenge of learning to walk the board constantly feels inspiring so far. Time and tests will tell if I'll master the small bumps with the Strike or end up wanting a 14x24 allwater board with a deeeep dugout?
My personal preference is a Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder, full carbon but not fragile and a great looking board and can do it all.
Select to expand quoteThanksfortheride said..
I ended up buying a used 2020 Fanatic Strike Carbon 14x25. The board feels buttery on flatwater and today I got to test it on a little downwinder with 7m/s wind and kneehigh bumps. It was definitely faster but also more demanding than my 14x28 inflatable Gong. It was asking for more stepping back and forth and "light feet" were required to avoid oversteering with the front rail. In the other hand the more I stepped back the more stable it got which is promising for riding bigger bumps actively. I'm also waiting for another board, a Gong Sherpa 14x26, which I ordered becuse it looked smart enough an allwater board for the bargain price. I'll tell how I like it.
Congrats on the Fanatic and the Gong Sherpa should cover the bases for you. I have never seen Gong but it would be good if you can post your thoughts on the Sherpa when it comes in.
Select to expand quoteRideordie said..
I agree, Sunova is stunning! I think that may be the best looking board ever!!
Thanks and the pics don't do it justice. In person it just pops with the blue and wood grain. I cringe every time it gets a scratch but it's proving to be quite durable.
It really is a beautiful work of art!! I can't take my eyes off of it!! Same feeling I get looking at a classic wooden boat like a vintage Chris Craft. Timeless beauty. Congrats!!
