Hi,
I am considering a 2023/24 Gen R (14 x 23). I'd love to hear some feedback on this board from people that have used the board.
I spent some time trawling the web looking for reviews/opinions, but pretty much everything is just paid promotions.
I found some comments on YouTube videos that talks about the board being a bit sluggish in adverse conditions (wind, chop, etc.). Have a feeling the adverse comments are from the same person under different user names though...they read very much the same...
Here's an example of one comment pulled from a YT video:
"I bought this board without testing it and I regret it. I bought the 14x23 model. I'm just under 140lbs and I've been racing for a ten years. I do not like this board. Here are the CONS. You fight for every mph you try to get out of it. I would not call this board "fast". I think it might be fast for someone who is very strong. The board will burn you out on long paddles. I feel like the nose has way more volume than it needs. It does not catch bumps easily (I compared this to my old Riviera race board). The board reacts very quickly to adverse conditions such as wind or current, meaning the board will slow down very quickly when hitting a wind wall or going against the current. Also, it does not like to turn unless you are on the right spot. If you have an injury, this board will aggravate every one of them. PROS: It is built well, very durable. The stability is okay for basic waves and chop like in the Gulf of Mexico. Sorry for the negative comments, but I do so much better on a 14x25 Riviera when compared to this board and I was shock after seeing the comparison."
I'd be interested to hear if this is what others have experienced.
I'm looking for a board that will be comfortable in flat to choppy bay conditions (Port Phillip bay, Melbourne). I don't necessarily need the fastest board, but would like something that glides well and is not an absolute dog in adverse conditions.
I've also had my eye on a One Edge 3.0 14 x 24 similarly priced to the Gen R, so happy to hear any feedback comparing the two.
FWIW, I'm ~5'4", 65kg, with limited experience on a 2018 Infinity Downtown 14 x 27, which I'm very comfortable on in just about any conditions. Keen to move onto a narrower board at some stage. Not in any rush, but these two boards are currently available and of interest.
TIA,
Jonty
I paddle a Flying Fish Freedom 14x23 but have gotten some time with a 14x23 Gen R that my nephew purchased last year. It is VERY similar in shape to the Flying Fish, and it's clear Starboard was going for similar market. The Gen R felt a tad more stable than my FF, it has a bit squarer rails towards the back, but performance is VERY similar. I think where it excels is that it's a board that's really good at everything, but not great any any one thing. More flat water oriented boards will glide better, more dugout will be more stable. I would put it in the category of an advanced board in that you need to have some skills to get the most out of it. You need to be able to adjust your cadence to conditions, move your feet around the board, and anticipate how it's going to react. That being said, once you do get used to it, it will perform well in a wide variety of conditions and is a great one board solution.
I just got one. Noticeable more front rocker after being on flatwater boards
Not as fast. You do have to work for fast speed.
But handling in chop, waves is far superior
Even at 23 inches wide it would do ins and outs in surf and i feel it would be quite managable dwing. It has a really wide round tail. Easy kick turning.
While the edge 3 is very stable when it goes bad it goes the whole way, that yawning effect. Edge3 isnt good to surf, doesnt like bigger bumps, but is stable and fast
The gen r is more consistent with it stability , much better riding waves and paddling in chop and bumps.
For me this gen r is a old school board that does everthing.
I agree with roverdog
