I love the Starboard 10'5
I thought it would be interesting to try something wider - enter the 9'0 by 33 hero.
Forget everything you thought you knew about the width..
the outline of this thing delivers the loosest board i have ridden to date. i only rode it in waist to chest high small surf but it was super fun - with a real surfboard pumping feel to get speed down the line. The nose is wide but it was super safe - i couldnt bury it.
The rail to rail transition was super fast and you could really connect the rail to the wall.
The paddle in power was surprisingly good for a shorter board - it has a really slippery entry point.
Reos were easy with autopilot landings - and again the nose was safe - not sure about the functionality of pointy noses right now.. i cant really find anything bad to say about the board other than that the glide is obviously less than the 10'5 and it doesnt carry through fat sections with quite as much drive.
funnily enough i go surfing when the swell is really pumping
for me Stand Up is the option for small days or larger but weaker swells. I can have a ball in small surf -almost as much fun as on a normal surfboard when the swell is pumping. and thats the whole point of sup for me.
So the opportunity envelope for fun is wide and deep.
Even up north on 4ft days and mid to high tides - the transition point when i'm 50/50 for the standard surfboard or the SUP- rounder nose sups have never felt limiting for me.
I sup everything so the functionality of the pointy nose is really relevant to me. Watched guys on wider nosed boards on steep waves struggle with the drop and the transition from the top turn. Had the same problem at Jakes and down south on fuller noses. The trade off is less static stability but I think it is worth it.
sounds like wide noses give the drive in smaller or mushier waves - while the pointy gives you control in pushy wally surf when power is on tap.
^^ agree ^^
But also the low swing weight of the nose on my Mano is great in small stuff for snapping off the lip. You should try it
fun board very different feel with the extreme nose.
Sorry about the hijack the new Starboards look great keen to have a go.
