I had the chance to ride both these boards back in over head Bombie type waves.
Thought Id let people know my thoughts as I couldn't find any comparison.
Firstly I found the Pocket Rocket much more stable while paddling, no surprise I guess. I found I could get to the take off zone much easier and had more confidence in turning around late and taking off.
I found with the Pro I had to concentrate on keeping my balance and had to keep moving forward to keep stable. If I stopped, turned late to take off, the first strokes put me off balance and made taking off a little more tricky. It is worth mentioning I didn't feel I missed any waves, but I had to put in more effort than on the Pocket Rocket.
Once on the wave I found the Pro to be the more stable board and handled the speed and turns better. The Pocket Rocket bounced around a bit and it was on the wave I had to concentrate more on what I was doing. Foot placement was also more critical on the Pocket Rocket.
To sum it up, if you want an easy board to paddle and balance on while waiting for waves go the Pocket Rocket. (which I did) If your willing to put in a little more effort getting out and getting the waves for the extra bonus when your on one, go the Pro.
Thanks for the feedback
was it the 2013 8.5 pro?
how much do you weigh, and what are you normally riding?
Cheers!
i demo'd both in carbon models
new to SUPing save a few casual sessions in Nusa Lembongan
pocket rocket was easy enough, just back from gnaraloo where got plenty of waves on it, still learning but improved ++ every session, found it ok on the waves (not big), but need to learn i'm not on a short board, and I havent really ridden mals
8 5 pro i couldnt stand on, mind you it was pretty choppy onshore ocean, but fell off every time!
still give me a few months and the pro would be good i reckon
85 kg
Rode a Converse up at Gnaraloo and recently a Pro 8'5 - which at my 85kg i hated - tons of work just to get that marginally sweeter top turn. It was great on the wave - but so much given up to get there. I would have been getting more waves on my sweet little 5.11 x 21 inch surfboard. The whole session just seemed like a waste of great little waves.
If i was 65 kg might be a different story
The 9'0 Converse was an absolute joy to ride - nose rides , drivey , easy to stand on , got into waves nice and early, cut back reos easy as - just a winner of a board all round that rode longer than its 9ft - which i reckon is a good thing
As a SUP er of 5 years It frustrates me seeing learner / intermediates going to such small boards where the joy of SUP is quickly lost. And the bum sticking out bent knee wobble paddle trying to stay on the board just looks silly. I have had inermediates tell me that they might as well go back to surfing as they arent getting as many waves or in as early - and then they show me their ride and its an 8 something under 30 inches wide...
The Brazil SUP event had some sick turns - but the guys could barely paddle the things through the break - lots of lie down paddling happening - and wobbling out the back. Looks like a race to ride the smallest board at the moment.
anyone remember 120 cm twin tips in kiting - or "wave kiting" boards 5ft long , or sinker type windsurf boards
- it just seems like the same mistakes keep happening and we dont learn from them.
Resist the urge to go super small on boards - dial in that 10'5 or 11 footer and then maybe go to a 9'0. Some of my favourite SUpping that i have witnessed involves Galvo throwing Whoppers around with style and drive.
not interested in an aircraft carrier
8 5 to me in the PR is stable enough
happy to fall off a few times in the name of progress
3-4 times on a flat ocean and a few swells and you are on your bike
but each to their own, and if you are having fun who cares ?
i dont and aren;t in competition with anyone (except for getting waves :-) )
twinny 