Thought I'd check in after a month and update my review.
I LOVE this board!! Whilst it is still a challenge to balance on once the wind comes up, it is getting easier every surf and I can now hang out in the line-up and chat with mates. This may seem like a small thing but half the enjoyment of being out in the water for me is 'hanging out'.
I'll go over my criteria once again.
Board Quality 10/10
It truly is a beautifully built board, it has created a lot of conversation in the car park. I've yet to see a blemish on it. As you can see in the pics above, the rails have a silver stripe along them with black 'speckles'. If there are blemishes on it, this no doubt hides them and is well designed. Board just feels and looks well made. Still loving the pop-out handle.
Stability 6.5/10
As I stated above, this is the board's only 'flaw' and one that I can easily overlook due to its performance. I'm really enjoying the challenge that this board brings and am MUCH more comfortable on it now. There is a small sweet spot on the board and I find putting my right foot about 20cm in front of my left (I'm a goofy) and standing slightly side-on works best for me.
Paddling into Waves 9/10
Still really happy with this aspect of the board. Now that I am much more stable on the board, I'm finding it easier to paddle toward the wave and flick it around at the last minute. I struggled with this my first few surfs (and still room for improvement) but once I flick it around it picks up inertia really quickly and glides beautifully onto the wave.
Speed 11/10
Unreal!! Fastest board I've ever ridden. A couple of weekends back I got rides of well over 200 metres. The board flies down the line and gets past sections with ease. Even when you stall the board, it picks up speed again almost instantaneously. Has awesome drive. Whilst this board is fine in small waves it is made for bigger surf and has Indo written all over it.
Manoeuvrability 8.5/10
There are no doubt more manoeuvrable boards but all the ones I've ridden lack the drive and speed of the Speeed. It is still very easy to throw around and rails beautifully. This is a surfers SUP and will not disappoint in this department.
Final Say
This is the best board I've owned hands down. No more to say.
