L41 SIMSUP ST just arrived...

[AJR]

Took possession of a new SIMSUP today - 8'4"x31"x4.5" 136L. I needed something a bit longer with more volume as an all conditions board. Ride report coming later this week...

[SUPcheat]

It looks really nice.  I noticed that the models displayed at Covewater have the thinned rails and the volume toward the center, kind of a "flying saucer" profile.  That seems to be the recent design trend.

Your model looks like a "perma-quad".

After another year, when my Vernor has taught me what it can and my balance has (hopefully) improved, I was thinking about a Hammer 8"5"x31 140L or possibly a custom L41. 

We are about the same size, I believe.  I will have to try the Covewater L41 8"8' 145L rental again sometime and try to stand up on it more.

[AJR]

I'm 230 lbs plus gear and 6'1" - balance is fair (inconsistent actually - good days and not-so-good days).

I was on a 7'10" S4 with 127L and it floated me fine but I had trouble standing up between sets on choppy days and after I fatigued. It was great to surf though!  I just decided I didn't want the struggle on the days that weren't glassy and calm.  I think the chimed rails and narrower tail of the S4 also made balance tougher for me.  Kirk said this style also has a concave under the center which increases stability (catamaran effect).

[anonsurfer]

That looks fantastic.  Looking forward to your review.  I have an Infinity Phoenix V2 and it is amazing.  Similar to you, I upped in volume (from 103L to 118L), the extra volume makes a big difference in stability and catching waves.

[supthecreek]

Great looking board.... I'm interested to hear how you like the split tail.

it's sacrilege... but I am not a big fan of the super wide tail.... although I am really intrigued by the S5

[AJR]

Great looking board.... I'm interested to hear how you like the split tail.

it's sacrilege... but I am not a big fan of the super wide tail.... although I am really intrigued by the S5

I wouldn't call it sacrilege - just preference.  I've been having fun lately on my Dave Craig which is a more conventional design; I finally figured out the right fins and it's been fun, just not SIMSUP fun.  The SIMS work for me not only because of their design but also the beach breaks I surf - nothing really over head high and the speed they generate really helps in making sections and increasing the "fun factor".  I had my S4 out in some powerful surf over head high at Cardiff one Saturday and it wasn't the right board (and/or I'm not skilled enough); it was too fast and got way out of control (like a little skateboard on a big hill) so I like to have the two design styles in the quiver...

[supthecreek]

great description.... "like a little skateboard on a big hill".... we've all been there!


I do love those colors!!!!

[AJR]

The verdict after a couple sessions on the new SIMSUP ST – amazing!  Kirk (L41) really nailed it on this design; for me it’s the perfect blend of stability and surf-ability.  I’m 6’1”, 225-230 lbs plus rubber, and almost 42; I’ve been SUP surfing about 7 years (no prior surfing experience).  My balance is so-so (depends on the day – I’m inconsistent).  FWIW I’m not affiliated with L41 or SIMSUP in any way – just one very satisfied customer.

Stability – much more stable than my 7’10” SIMSUP S4; I think this is due to the combination of the additional volume, the wider tail, and the new bottom contours – belly nose (“hulled entry”) to a single concave under the handle to a double concave at the tail.  I never got used to the chined rails on the S4  – much tippier when standing between sets (I had to troll around non-stop).  The additional stability has made it much easier to paddle out standing up (pops right over the whitewater) and just stand there (no more trolling).

Surfing – so much fun.  Both sessions were about chest high rollers at a beach break.  Super easy to get in the waves for an 8’4” board; I can catch them out a little further than my S4 due to the additional length and wider tail.  I’m still taking later drops since it’s a shorter board but I’m used to that; plus with the additional stability it’s easier to stay balanced paddling into the wave.  The trademark SIMSUP speed is still there – so fast!!  It surfs like a narrower board with the split tail and the thin rails (Kirk calls them K rails I think) really let you surf this board.  And if you get on the tail it’ll get vertical (at least my iteration of “vertical” which isn’t all that great but fun nonetheless).  – get some speed from a good drop, pump it for more speed, and work your way up and down the wave; I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face…  Get on the tail though and don’t drive from the middle; each time I tried I hung a rail and was thrown off.  For this reason I put on a tail pad so I can feel where I’m at on the board.

Several comments came in from others I surf with who noticed that I’m much more stable and surfing this board better than my S4 so I’m pretty sure this isn’t all in my head.  I also suspect that the color scheme warms up the water in my vicinity and blinds the other surfers around me thus increasing my wave count.  I’m ruined now – losing productivity at work thinking about when I get to surf next...

[gtcali]

I picked up that 9'8" Craig listed on the classifieds here a month or 2 ago.  I LOVE my Craig.  I still want a SIMSUP in the quiver, but now I'm wondering about that Craig Tomo/Simmons, whatever you call it shape Mitch and Yann Q is riding.  I'd like to know how it compares to the SIMSUPs.

[gtcali]

whoops...tried to edit last.

[AJR]

I wonder too but nobody my size is riding one and Mitch and Yann's are way out of my league. I probably couldn't even prone surf their tiny boards! 

I like my conventional Craig but it needs a wave with some size to get speed - not like my SIM which is fast even in the small stuff...

[AJR]

Updated pic with the Von Sol tail pad installed...

[freetobeme]

AJR - slick ride. I just ordered a ST myself. How do you like that tail pad so far?

[anonsurfer]

Updated pic with the Von Sol tail pad installed...

Did you just cut out the existing pad to install the kick pad?  I'd like to do this on my Phoenix.  Any install tips you could note would be appreciated.

[The Kernel]

Great looking board that reminds me how close I was to pulling the trigger on one of these about a year ago.  Now I'm gonna be peaking at their website again.

AJR:  Kudos to you for sharing your experience with a well written review and pictures.  It was thoughtful of you to include your ht/wt, prior surfing experience, and types of waves you're in.  With that kind of info, we can all make the personal and localized adjustments that help us to understand what size of that board would work for us....