Here's a quick vid I threw together on the new 2014 Naish Mana 8'5". Surf was small to say the least (1-2ft). But had heaps of fun.
Hey JB
looks like a nice board, having heaps of fun in small fun waves.
how did you find this board, as I am looking at this myself.
I am 6.0 and 88 kgs, have tried JP Surf wide body 8.8 an 8.2, but would like to here your opinions on this mana
many thanks.
I was very surprised on this board, especially after riding the 8'10". The 8'5" is a different ride totally. With similar dimensions, the 8'5" feels faster and more transitional to surf. With out being too bias, this board is going to change the way heavier/stronger built guys enjoy marginal surf (i.e. 80ish kgs and up). My strongest advice as always is to demo the board, I am confident you will not be let down (and when you start playing with fins... OMG). I thoroughly enjoy this board, and choose it over other higher range boards at times (it is personally in my quiver).
I would love some more people to get in this board and post their review.
Enjoy,
JB
Look like the board works well. Is it the same width as the 8-10? Naish site doesn't show an 8-5 Mana.
Foxkiter - Obviously being significantly smaller than the 2013 9'5" Mana, the board is quite a lot more responsive and able to turn a lot tighter, but it actually very loose in comparison to performance wave boards also. The new Mana 9'5" this year has lost some weight and dropped some volume, the nose and tail outline has been pulled in, volume pulled from the tail and the rails really refined for a performance ride in the surf.
SurfinJ/Foxkiter, below is the spec table of the Mana range for 2014.
regards,
JB
I love the plan shape of the new Manas. If only they'd make some smaller versions.
I paddled/surfed this board last weekend and can vouch for its stability at my 90kg. I felt very comfortable on it.
We are waiting on our 8'5 DEMO board
to put it through its paces in different wave conditions.
Sam Watts (our manager at Balmoral Paddle surf) and I also surfed the the new 9'5 Mana and we
were very inpressed. Totally different board from the old model. It surfs really well.
The new Mana's are a whole new board that is for sure.
Select to expand quoteJB said...
[br]Here's a quick vid I threw together on the new 2014 Naish Mana 8'5". Surf was small to say the least (1-2ft). But had heaps of fun.
regards,
JB
[/quot
Hey JB I cant get the vid to play properly. What up bro???
Thanks JB, I can see it clear enough to make out. The boards look nice, here one of the few proven brands easily available.
Hey Leroy, Have you worked it out yet??
Should just play straight through the breeze???
LMK,
JB
Select to expand quoteLeroy13 said..
Thanks JB not yet. I'll wait til I get out of hospital. 
Yeah, mate beautiful and surfed the same way. Very, Very interesting
Looks really good - thanks for posting - we're getting ours in a weeks time. I notice you don't seem to need to move your back foot at all - that's a good sign that the board can be surfed from a fixed "sweet spot" position as a opposed to the dreaded moving back foot from rail to rail on each turn.
I have yet to surf a 30"+ SUP where you don't need to move your foot around - so this is looking good!
