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Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => SUP Gear Reviews / Newly Acquired / On Order => Topic started by: supthecreek on June 02, 2015, 04:29:35 AM

Title: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 02, 2015, 04:29:35 AM
Well.... heres my new board  ;D ;D ;D ;D
this was NOT intended to be a review… just a “first look” at something new.... but I got carried away  ;)
A proper review will come after I have some quality time on it and some decent video... but I will pass on what I know so far.

Like most Zoners, I am constantly researching boards, trying to find “The One”.
Late last year, I heard about a board that blew me away, but info was scarce, so I was on a mission to learn everything I could.

My Sunova SPEEED arrived a week ago.
8’10 x 29 1/8  at 130 liters
Not a tiny board by new standards, but pushing my limits.

OZ is full of this “Wide Nose” design….they are hugely popular….
Local brands like Minion, Vanguard, Gulliver V-Box
Then the big boys jumped in with the Slate, Raptor, Hyper-Nut

Sunova has taken a very different approach.
This “Wide Nose” board entry, is a MAJOR departure from the rest of the field.... and THAT is exactly why I was soooo intrigued.

The SPEEED incorporates ALL the components that I like in a board and still allows me to go with less width than traditional shapes.... and at a much lower volume.
Rocker instead of flat
Nose scoop instead of flat
Narrow tail instead of wide

One huge appeal of the Sunova to me is their construction, I can't afford to give up durability for light weight.
Light...and durable... and affordable
Not words that generally go together, when talking SUP
Sunova is ALL of them.

Consensus among owners is, these are VERY strong boards using some ground breaking technology, like deck "I beams" and parabolic rails
The boards are stiff on the deck, but have “give” built into the bottom, for a super smooth ride.
Light weight, with none of the stiffness and chatter of carbon…. many riders have said it is immediately noticeable..... I am now one of them  ;D

My board weighs in (on a digital shipping scale) at 18.8 lbs with deckpad, stomper and stock thrusters. I am loving that!

The liftSUP handle eliminates big the hole in the middle of the deck and gives me a super easy way to carry the board.

There is zero paint on this board… the rails are covered with Titanium impregnated cloth, over a carbon rail strip, for impact resistance, plus the look hides any scuffs you may get.

The nose is wide, but incredibly thin…. thinner than the end of my pinky finger, and it has a lot of scoop.
This adds so much to stability, when paddling or catching a wave.
The harder you lean toward the nose, the more stable it becomes, and the scoop keeps the nose from sinking.

The parallel rails give it great speed and the “bump down” at the side bites combine with the deep channels to give it that sweet, crisp, tight carving turn.

While many of these “square nose” designs are built to maximize small and mushy waves, The SPEEED is designed with an eye towards really good waves.
Reports have it ripping DOH in the Mentawais.

Cape Cod has always been fairly thick and hollow when it gets overhead, but this year, the sand has been gouged out by serious winter storms, and left some really deep water near shore, so we now have some very soft conditions, at all but dead low tide.

Deep water and tiny waves have not given me a chance to explore this board yet, but I gotta say…. It even makes crap waves fun.  ;D ;D ;D

As always, pictures to give you a good look….

and.... against my better judgment, I included a short video of some small windy, gutless sessions I had this week.
It was taken with my "point and shoot", as an experiment, so I had to “Zoom” it….
make sure you set to 720HD to make it a little less blurry  ::)

I am very impressed with my SPEEED so far…. I can’t wait to get it in some good waves, and come back with a complete  review

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12bZopizK6I
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: coldsup on June 02, 2015, 04:50:11 AM
Looks a lot of fun that board....and fast. Interesting handle too.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: spookini on June 02, 2015, 05:20:01 AM
Nice looking board, Rick "Mick".  Aka supthecreekcrikey.
Eagerly awaiting your next thread:  "Why I left primal and went vegemite!"
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Ake G on June 02, 2015, 05:41:39 AM
Looks like everything you were hoping it would be, Creek and great to see your continuing dedication is paying dividends!

Thanks for documenting it all and taking the time to share the experience.

Reminds me of the first guys who rode those tiny Firewires up here and how I thought they were so far beyond me (and most average mortal surfers) with my physical size and skill level.

Now I want to try one. But I'd settle for a surf on anything right now.....
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfercook on June 02, 2015, 06:07:14 AM
NICE SIM style sup! Might hafta put that in ahead of the Raptor and Slate on my "Want that one" list! Looks real easy to turn. Beautiful wood grain too. You failed to mention price and shipping costs though. i priced a Slate and it was $1,999 w/100 for shipping. Passed on it.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: eastbound on June 02, 2015, 06:10:58 AM
very nice creek--and it seems, even on the mush from the vid, that the board turns nicely and accelerates on demand.

cant wait to see you and it on some nice faces! maybe even live!

i am jealous of that weight/liter ratio.

enjoy
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfercook on June 02, 2015, 06:16:29 AM
$1,995 (off the Sunova website) for the 8'5" which would prob be my choice. Didn't calculate shipping. I def want a SIM style sup but already own 3!
Nice vid of the 8'5" in clean shoulder/head high conditions.
https://youtu.be/CaUsH6FeoxY
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: mrbig on June 02, 2015, 06:51:09 AM
Great stuff Rick! It looked good when I saw it, and is
clearly working in the waves we've had so far. Pray for some grandes olas.. 8)  8)  8)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: lunchbox on June 02, 2015, 07:00:53 AM
I knew I shouldn't have read a Creek review...now I want this board  ;)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 02, 2015, 07:08:07 AM
Thanks for that Cookie.....The vid of Johnny Maya surfing on the SPEEED really shows the potential of this board.
He gets the rail absolutely vertical in some of his cut backs.
That video, incidentally, was THE clincher for me.... it shows the smooth, crisp carve that I was looking for ;D ;D ;D ;D
What I particularly noticed was how well it carried speed after a cutback on a very soft shoulder... it didn't bog down, but linked smoothly to the next turn.

Also... about cost, I can't speak to what it will be in the US.... other than it is NOT one of the high priced brands
The price on the Sunova site is in Australian Dollars
AUST $1,999 = $1,544 in US dollars  according to todays exchange rate

The shipping is fairly expensive. So I hope the SPEEED begins to show up in the US soon. I know some of last years Sunovas are here now, but hopefully the US will be getting more 2015 models this summer.
At my age... every season is a big percentage of what I have left.... so I needed to find a work around and consider myself extremely lucky to get my hands on this one.

They are coming out with (or already have) a 9'5 x 31 at 160 L that might be my call next winter, in full gear.

I am sooooo happy with this board so far....
Eastbound, I hope to surf some South County waves with you, sooner than later.....
I can't wait to have some rip-able point surf to run this in!

Ha ha lunchbox... YES you do. Sell off some of the fleet ;)

note: so far, not on single mark on the rails... even after I flailed around in the "devil winds" for 6 sessions
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: eastbound on June 02, 2015, 07:20:11 AM
been awful down here creek--was resigned to mush this am, up at 5, and the cam showed nothing. came to work instead. hoping for tomorrow.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on June 02, 2015, 08:10:34 AM
I have to say it is a stunningly beautifully finished board. Just looking at it you can tell it's built well......and soooo different from anything I've seen. Crazy light but it feels rock solid. If I can get my fat ass back down to 240 or better 230 I may have to try giving it a spin. Creek was throwing buckets on the better waves last Sunday. His usually smooth longboard style punctuated with some big slashes. Can't wait to see him ride it on a nice OH glassy wave.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUPcheat on June 02, 2015, 09:38:46 AM
Looks very nice, Creek.  Don't think I could catch those mushers on my boards unless they had some kind of hidden extra energy.

It does tend to resemble the tomo type with the more parallel rails and the flat nose.  I suppose categorizing is kind of pointless, but is it considered more of a tomo-type?

The lightness IS nice. My neighbor weighed my Prowave innegra at 18.8 pounds wet from the beach with fins and leash. The weight doesn't make me go off balance when carrying it, easier to protect it from smacking. So far, the innegra durability with rail tape is holding up. To me, durability is worth paying for if it doesn't compromise performance.

I saw IRideYellow on his Jammer 7'10" x 31.5" @ 138 liters on Sunday around Privates/Sharks.  Beautiful board in yellow with black carbon rails.  I lifted it, and it also seemed to be about 16 to 18 pounds and short enough to pile into my WRX if necessary. He was doing very well in surf and just paddling around with it. I think that's Wardog's variation of the tomo type, except no flat nose.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUStenance on June 02, 2015, 11:42:33 AM
Great "first look" post. I will agree that it is a sweet looking board and seeing it first hand it looks well made. I am looking forward to the full review, but even more so, looking to getting it under my feet and taking it for a test spin myself!

Hopefully the NE winds will subside Thursday morning and you'll oblige me  ;D! (I should have asked you Saturday, but you were having too much fun  ;) )
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: baddog on June 02, 2015, 12:08:12 PM
I haven't said much regarding Sunova and the Speeed, but I was right behind STC when we picked up the chatter on the 'Breeze'.  Just like STC, I knew instantly the shape would work, have a healthy disdain for wide tail, flat turning boards and the Johnny Maya vid was the nail in the coffin.

The squared off nose, full length concave and tail channels are all Vanguard'ish. Burt (Burger) used lots of Vanguard cues, but this board is not in the Vanguard camp.  Why?  The outline is strictly a performance longboard / funboard shape.  Just round off the nose and pulled tail and see what you get.  That hipped narrowed diamond tail and tri-fin set up are really what give the Speeed the smooth laid-over rail to rail transitions and rounded carve'y turns.  Watch the Johnny Maya video to see how smooth and seamless turns and transitions are.  Rider for sure, but the board has a lot to do with it.  STC is doing a bang up job as well in teenie conditions (can't wait to see the really stuff vids).

The flipped nose is thin, but what strikes me is how well my 8'5" paddles and how the nose does not push water.  The tracking is excellent with the squared nose profile and with very little yaw.  The other striking feature is how low the volume is in the tail.  The narrow profile with the single channel and concaves means less foam in the tail and the sweet spot for paddling is well past center.

The Balsa construction is amazing; top tier craftsmanship, light as carbon and pretty too.  A lot more I could say, but I'll let STC have the honors.  FYI, there is a bit of paint; the silver brushed band on the rails hides any shatters that can occur in the glass over carbon rail construction.

Check out all the Burt Burger / Sunova / Speeed threads on the 'Breeze' and of course follow along with STC, our east coast DJ.




Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: coldsup on June 02, 2015, 12:09:49 PM
Be interesting to find out how well she goes in bigger surf.......hold on  tight :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 02, 2015, 01:25:22 PM
baddog
Please give us your input... I would love to hear about your experience with it, as I am sure many others would appreciate it as well.
Any surf pics or video to share?

Sounds like you are West Coast.... California?

Like you, I thought the silver on the rails was paint as well.... until I read the fine print ;D
It is indeed titanium infused cloth.... not paint. (see pic)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: baddog on June 02, 2015, 06:27:58 PM
No real surf time yet and probably not soon, so I can only speak from a couple quick choppy paddles. So Cal, yes.  Paint wise, here's the low down from one Martin's posts:

"Question: 5) The black rails with the Silver paint brush job. Why that? Is it cheaper? Answer:  The black on the rails is a full carbon cloth wrap. Just as we use the Titanium on the EcoTec for extra strength we use Carbon on all XXXTec boards. It does the same things, exactly. More fabric = more strength. The Silver paint brush job solves 2 things. 1) to add a bit of look and make it more exclusive, as it is clearly hand brushed. We do that on every board by hand. But it is also THE best way to add the lightest quantity of weight to a paint job, while making it SUPER STRONG to not crack. The rail is the worst place on the board, because the paddle constantly hits it. We found out that that hand brushing the rail in this way protects it the best."

My board was demo'd once and has a few in the carbon sides near the tail and none in the silver.  Not really shatters, but more like scuff marks that have the weave pattern of the glass.  You can see it, but there is nothing there by touch. I whacked the rails (forward) a bunch in my first twenty minute session, not a mark did I make. And I was in the water a lot.  Opted to buy some Rail Saver Pro.

Spent a restless night doubting my ability; narrow race boards, no problem, but that 27 3/4" width and 8'5" length was a whole new ballgame.  Not to mention I am way lighter the Johnny Maya and I was struggling on the same board >:(  Reread a bunch of threads on the Speeed and of course Johnny Maya had the key on how to stand.  My left foot is at 11:30, my toes past the vent and my right foot is at 1:30 with my heel behind the handle.  Bingo, a paddle around a wind blown bay and I was rock solid.  Now if I can actually get it in the surf...
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: linter on June 03, 2015, 01:18:58 AM
stc said: "They are coming out with (or already have) a 9'5 x 31 at 160 L that might be my call next winter, in full gear."  Now you're talking my kind of Ls.  Would love to try a board like yours w/ move volume, for sure.  OTOH, I'm so used to, and so love, flat rocker profiles that I don't know how I'd like or handle the flipped nose.  Maybe we swap boards for a second next I see you and if I can stand on yours, maybe I can see how that nose feels.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 03, 2015, 04:44:16 AM
Linter, Creek,

You guys been following Blane on Instagram? He's got a very interesting new concept on how to make a board stable and rip. It's a step rail on the BOTTOM. You get the narrow fast bottom once up planing. Sub planing and down in the water, you've got a wide stable platform. This is better than his old bevel rail that was unstable.

https://instagram.com/p/3dNEEng2qZ/?taken-by=blanechambers

I can't wait to complete my move to Florida in July. First board I'm shaping is one of those.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: beached on June 03, 2015, 05:04:33 AM
it's odd to me that the reports of the Speeed indicate it rips, but it is not particularly stable. i know this isn't meant to be just another Tomo shaped board, but aren't there a lot of boards out there that have great performance but aren't very stable? Since I'm always looking for a fast, high performance board with very good stability (who isn't?), it seems this Sunova doesn't really fit that bill, though it may well be an excellent board for what it does do. If I'm off on my assertions here, please...Sunova riders correct me!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: mrbig on June 03, 2015, 05:27:40 AM
DW, A friend loaned me one of the new Tom C. and Blaine C. Loose Leaf designs. It is 8'4" x 27" x 3 15/16" x 96 liters. Chined rails, hull nose and is the most unstable board I have ever stood on!

The guy who loaned it out has mad skills  ( I do not ) and would fall  four out of five times going for waves in normal conditions; he rides Starby sub 8' Pros.

I no longer fall training in a lake!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: linter on June 03, 2015, 06:43:51 AM
dw: that board looks way cool.  btw / congrats on the move to FL.  i know you'd been planning on it for a long time and now it's come to pass.  bueno!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 03, 2015, 07:15:31 AM
I didn't say the SPEEED was unstable.... I said it is smaller than anything I had ever ridden, so I needed to get my butt in gear to prepare myself.
This winter, I spent a lot of time falling off my 10'6 Alana.... so I needed some work. :P

At my size and age, I am VERY happy with the stability and especially, the paddle-ability of the Speeed
I felt pretty comfortable on it in my first surf session, which is surprising, since I have never surfed a board below 30" or 140 liters before  ;D (well... once... but it was a much wider Simmons shape)
I think the video hints to my comfort.... maybe I have to put one up of me standing outside between waves, to show how it is with a big old boy on it ;)
The really small day was my second session, the vid does not show how strong the wind really was.... 18-25 mph all day

After 6 days I am completely comfortable on it in very nasty conditions.... it is NOT my fair weather board.... the Speeed is the only board I'm interested in riding now.... it is THAT good.
having said all that, it is smallish board for big guys..... the 9'5 Speeed will cover people who need more width.

DW... I don't really need to look anywhere.....I am thrilled with everything about this board.
Can I come stay at your new place in Florida next winter? I'm done with this Arctic shit ;)

The feel underfoot that is hard to describe.
It has the smoothest, softest connection to the ocean when on a wave.... like I said before... like butter.

Even in the weak crap waves I have had it on, it has given me the feeling that I saw on Johnny Maya's video.
The distinct "bend" in the rail line, right at the forward channel and side bite, coupled with Bert Burgers magic, gives this board a spectacular ability to snap a tight carving turn, and do it smoothly without scrubbing off speed.

I got some waves on Sunday that were close to head high, but they were a 1/2 mile "victory at sea" paddle away, so I didn't get any videos.
The wind was seriously 30 mph at a VERY side/off shore angle. Every other SUP'r looked at the conditions and drove away.
I surfed for 2.5 hours with Stoneaxe in 1' cross chop and wind that would simply blow you off your feet.... but I was fine on the Speeed....the need to get it in some head high waves was all that mattered.
This board continued to impress. Bottom turns were tight and solid, off the top was awesome... I can only salivate at the first clean swell I get this on.
It's funny, the messy conditions didn't make it any harder to stand on...I didn't really think about it.... if anything, it may have been easier than my bigger boards because it sits lower in the water (and wind)

beached.... I think that stable and high performance are at odds with each other.... so high performance boards, with stability, have some kind of compromise.
I can't speak to Sunovas intent with this board, but I think they did a masterful job of incorporating the stability of a wide nose into a a very rip-able shape.
The wide nose allows for a very fast outline and has the added benefit of providing super stability when digging for a wave (when it counts the most)

On all my traditional shapes I have a reoccurring problem:
I lean on my "paddle side" and weight forward as I dig hard for a wave... the "paddle side" rail digs in because I am leaning that way as well.... bang... the board shoots one way, me another. Face plant.

That does NOT happen on the Speeed  :)
The wide nose of the Speed actually gets more solid as I lean into the stroke.... the pronounced "scoop" keeps the nose lifting up, and the curve of the scoop fits the wave face so catching waves is super easy.

The video show me catching waves that never broke (in high winds).... considering it is a narrow, low volume board for my size.... that pretty much amazed me.

linter, that should explain the scoop nose a bit.... I know you are digging the flatter nose profile... it should be a fun "water swap" session.... now get you ocean in gear and supply us some waves ;)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 03, 2015, 07:29:26 AM
Chined rails, hull nose and is the most unstable board I have ever stood on!


Yep, that's why nobody copied Blane.

But I'll bet lots of shapers copy his new design if it solves the stability issue.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: JimK on June 03, 2015, 08:08:43 AM
Great Vid looks like longboard type glide You are looking good Mr. Creek

Now all we need is to get these in the US

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfafrica on June 03, 2015, 11:52:24 AM
Man, I LOVE the renaissance of SUP shapes coming out these days!

The board looks great Creek.  Love all the theory behind why it works. 
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUPcheat on June 03, 2015, 12:35:02 PM
What is the thinking behind those carved channels in the back?  I know from Burger's videos, he likes to optimize the direction the jet spray fires to allow the tail/rails  to go where you want them rather than working against rider input.

I thought those kinds of channels acted like extra "fins", so is there any danger of "fin overload"?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 03, 2015, 01:41:24 PM
I was just going to ask if those are deep concaves or what??

What is the thinking behind those carved channels in the back?  I know from Burger's videos, he likes to optimize the direction the jet spray fires to allow the tail/rails  to go where you want them rather than working against rider input.

I thought those kinds of channels acted like extra "fins", so is there any danger of "fin overload"?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 03, 2015, 01:52:50 PM
I don't know who copied who but the first thing I thought when I picked up a Blane Chambers Tom Carroll design recently was how much that severe chine looks like the bigass chine Kirk McGinty (L41) has been putting on his S4 for the last two to three years. http://www.original-simsup.com/simsup-4  It is a little more tippy when paddling compared to his S1, S2, and S3 but it does help the board get on a rail easier.

I just looked at that Instagram photo of Blane Chambers again and that rail looks like he's doing something different than what he did with the Tom Carroll model. Anyone had a closer look at that rail? If so, what's going on with it? Based on the shading I see on the inside rail, it looks like the chine  is concaved??

Chined rails, hull nose and is the most unstable board I have ever stood on!


Yep, that's why nobody copied Blane.

But I'll bet lots of shapers copy his new design if it solves the stability issue.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: TallDude on June 03, 2015, 02:56:19 PM


I just looked at that Instagram photo of Blane Chambers again and that rail looks like he's doing something different than what he did with the Tom Carroll model. Anyone had a closer look at that rail? If so, what's going on with it? Based on the shading I see on the inside rail, it looks like the chine  is concaved??

Chined rails, hull nose and is the most unstable board I have ever stood on!


Yep, that's why nobody copied Blane.

But I'll bet lots of shapers copy his new design if it solves the stability issue.
Chined rails or hulls have been around a long time. The idea is as the board or boat reaches a certain planning speed, it lifts to the smaller, narrower surface. So when you stand in the lineup , the board is resting on a wider more stable platform. Once you get on a wave, it lifts and your planing on a narrower board. You can have multiple chines for higher speeds like boats do, but it would be a bitch to glass on a board! If a hull is just rounded, it's very hard to plane, and has no rail to control a turn with. By having the additional chine it gives you the effect of a rail to turn off. The chine up to the nose will help you paddle into a wave faster and straighter. There is something to the less foiled top chine line vs. the full foiled bottom chine. Very interesting. Fun stuff.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUP Sports ® on June 03, 2015, 02:58:50 PM
I thought that we had the concept, and execution, of a reduced wetted surface area while planing by using bottom chines, traced back to George Greenough and Michael Cundith over 3 decades ago on that thread Beasho started on his Jeff Clark gun back in Nov., 2013...

http://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=22596.0

Here's a link to a higher rez image from my 80's era Greenough sailboard with bottom chines shown below:

http://supsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/greenough_board_chines.jpg



Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: DavidJohn on June 03, 2015, 03:17:29 PM
Beautiful board.. Love the 'claytons' fliers.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 03, 2015, 04:40:38 PM
I just looked at that Instagram photo of Blane Chambers again and that rail looks like he's doing something different than what he did with the Tom Carroll model. Anyone had a closer look at that rail? If so, what's going on with it? Based on the shading I see on the inside rail, it looks like the chine  is concaved??




Correct, it is different. It is not a bevel chine. It is concave, making it look just like a notched step rail typical of the S4 except it's on the bottom. Blane has posted way better photos. I just can't recall on which of his many Instagram accounts I saw it. I follow all his accounts.

I'm always looking for fun things to try. It looks worth a try.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: standuped on June 03, 2015, 05:35:05 PM
It seems like it's a given that board will turn, drop and perform well.  What I want to see on the "full" review video are un-edited punches through whitewater.  White water porn is what I'm after.  It's what I'm callin' for.  I want some heroics damit. Some Kung-Fu, Chop-saki epicness.  Steely eyed mayhem I say!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUP Sports ® on June 03, 2015, 06:23:49 PM
Regardless of whether it is called an "Edge bottom"..."Greenough bottom"...or, "Gizmo"...etc...GG and the guys at Wilderness Surfboards have been building and riding dual bottomed surfboards around here with thought towards both planing & non-planing...surfing/paddling scenarios for decades...and, have influenced/inspired many others to try various other iterations of bottom hydrodynamica...Bonzers...Spindrift...Byrning Spears...Hamish Graham...etc...
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 03, 2015, 07:29:31 PM
There are no chines on the Speeed. :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on June 03, 2015, 07:56:02 PM
If anything it's the anti-chine. Almost as flat as it could be and the rails seemed hard for much of the board. So much so that they almost appear slightly concave. Where they aren't hard it's pretty thin. The tail slots I'd imagine are all about release and flow around the fins.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: ninja tuna on June 04, 2015, 07:15:54 AM
Oh man Creek,

That thing looks good.  I guess the question I have for you is the glide.  I am assuming you will be in closer to the break now more towards the shortboarders.  Not a bad thing if you have the waves with the power.  I have been watching all the videos with the minions and the sunovo's and they are in really good waves.  Here in Florida we have some softness on my outside sandbars a lot of the time.  The couple extra inches on my Foote really helps with that.  It seems like your wave have some more juice up there so I can't wait to see your reports of ripping on that thing. ;)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 04, 2015, 07:23:53 AM
Ha ha... I just replied to your thread ;-)

Did you watch the short video at the top of this thread? You will see this low volume board (for my size) easily glide into tiny, non breaking waves.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on June 04, 2015, 07:29:31 AM
Creek is also the master of being in the right spot at the right time so he makes getting in look pretty easy on anything. If i want to up my wave count and quality I just get behind him in line.... :D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: TallDude on June 04, 2015, 08:59:02 AM
Creek is also the master of being in the right spot at the right time so he makes getting in look pretty easy on anything.

And that's not something you can teach. Knowing your break: how deep it is, how the frames shift with the tide, the direction of the swell, how fast it throws as the tide changes or at a particular frame spot, whats going to wall and whats going to almost wall (speeder!).
On my shorter board I have to sit inside because it's half sunk and has no glide. I can usually tell which of the people outside of me are not going to catch what they think they are going to catch. Those are the ones left for me:)
Creek,
That Sunova looks like a great board for your break. The straighter rails for glide and speed, the performer tail, constant rocker that apparently works with your slightly steeper break (at least from the pic's and videos I've seen), and my favorite... the thinned out nose.  Low volume, higher surface area. And of course, light bullet-proof construction!

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 04, 2015, 12:47:57 PM
Although nothing like the severity of Blane Chambers chine, Bill Stewart's Hydro-Hull and Walden's Magic have had chined rails for a long time too.

Regardless of whether it is called an "Edge bottom"..."Greenough bottom"...or, "Gizmo"...etc...GG and the guys at Wilderness Surfboards have been building and riding dual bottomed surfboards around here with thought towards both planing & non-planing...surfing/paddling scenarios for decades...and, have influenced/inspired many others to try various other iterations of bottom hydrodynamica...Bonzers...Spindrift...Byrning Spears...Hamish Graham...etc...
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 04, 2015, 01:12:49 PM
You're thinking of the S2 http://www.original-simsup.com/simsup-2/ and S3 http://www.original-simsup.com/simsup-3/ which is what Kirk McGinty calls the "K-rail" and others call an "S-rail." The S4 http://www.original-simsup.com/simsup-4/ has big meaty "normal" rails on the deck but with a huge chine on the bottom that's a dead ringer to what Blane Chambers did with the Tom Carroll design. I think you're right about the instagram photo because it does look like Blane Chambers added lots of concave to the big-ass chine that's on the Tom Carroll design. Jeff Clarks Riviera gun has concave in the chine but obviously Clarks chine is way more subtle than the S4 or the Tom Carroll design.

That massive boat hull like chine is a totally different approach to what Infinity and others are doing where the bottom and rails are exactly the same as high-performance shortboard surfboards.


I just looked at that Instagram photo of Blane Chambers again and that rail looks like he's doing something different than what he did with the Tom Carroll model. Anyone had a closer look at that rail? If so, what's going on with it? Based on the shading I see on the inside rail, it looks like the chine  is concaved??




Correct, it is different. It is not a bevel chine. It is concave, making it look just like a notched step rail typical of the S4 except it's on the bottom. Blane has posted way better photos. I just can't recall on which of his many Instagram accounts I saw it. I follow all his accounts.

I'm always looking for fun things to try. It looks worth a try.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 04, 2015, 02:43:06 PM
This might be off topic, but here is a video of Bert Burger discussing the SPEEED.

Cheat.... you are right.... it's all explained in the vid. :D

http://vimeo.com/128552485
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 04, 2015, 03:00:16 PM
I'm digging all of these discussions by Bert on design and created a note in Evernote so I'll have them handy to watch again later.

This might be off topic, but here is a video of Bert Burger discussing the SPEEED.

Cheat.... you are right.... it's all explained in the vid. :D

http://vimeo.com/128552485
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on June 05, 2015, 04:02:15 AM
This might be off topic,


Almost spit coffee..... :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 05, 2015, 04:53:08 AM
This might be off topic, but here is a video of Bert Burger discussing the SPEEED.

Cheat.... you are right.... it's all explained in the vid. :D

http://vimeo.com/128552485

I really enjoy listening to Bert. He's a hero over on the shapers forum.

I think his belief that having thin rails submerged, and held down by water, makes stability, is not really what's creating his stability in my testing.

My testing suggests the stability he or anyone is getting from thin boards is coming from having your center of gravity low. Feet flush with the water's surface. His shape is doing exactly this.

To prove its not the rails being held down by water, you can shape two very thin boards, both putting your feet flush with the water. One with a full rail, the other prone board thin and well underwater. The full rail will be much more stable.

The miss understanding comes from the fact that almost all thick rail boards in the past, put us way about the waters surface, high and dry and unstable. So just the volume take-away from going to thinner rails lowered the rider to a more stable position on the water, not high above the water.




Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: cantSUPenough on June 05, 2015, 07:00:57 AM
This might be off topic, but here is a video of Bert Burger discussing the SPEEED.

Cheat.... you are right.... it's all explained in the vid. :D


I really enjoy listening to Bert. He's a hero over on the shapers forum.

I think his belief that having thin rails submerged, and held down by water, makes stability, is not really what's creating his stability in my testing.

My testing suggests the stability he or anyone is getting from thin boards is coming from having your center of gravity low. Feet flush with the water's surface. His shape is doing exactly this.

To prove its not the rails being held down by water, you can shape two very thin boards, both putting your feet flush with the water. One with a full rail, the other prone board thin and well underwater. The full rail will be much more stable.

The miss understanding comes from the fact that almost all thick rail boards in the past, put us way about the waters surface, high and dry and unstable. So just the volume take-away from going to thinner rails lowered the rider to a more stable position on the water, not high above the water.

I don't know much about these things, but it sounds logical.  However the 8'10" speeed is 4 5/8 thick - isn't that as thick as most boards?  Or is the distribution different and therefore you ride lower?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: TallDude on June 05, 2015, 07:16:50 AM
Bert truly is the rock star of shapers. His boards go to eleven!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 05, 2015, 08:03:55 AM

I don't know much about these things, but it sounds logical.  However the 8'10" speeed is 4 5/8 thick - isn't that as thick as most boards?  Or is the distribution different and therefore you ride lower?

His deck is domed, so your feet ride flush with the water. The thickness is measured at the stringer, so its meaningless for this discussion.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Tom on June 05, 2015, 03:19:26 PM
My shaper is a firm believe that thinner rails are more stable and I agree. Another benefit is that side chop comes over the top and pushes the rail back down rather than giving that twitchy  bumping you get from thick boxy rails.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: baddog on June 05, 2015, 03:34:03 PM
I think his belief that having thin rails submerged, and held down by water, makes stability, is not really what's creating his stability in my testing.

I've been following along on the Burt, Sunova, Speeed threads and all the videos; my experience has matched everything Burt has expounded upon.  The flex video was a real lightbulb as to why all those multi-glueup / stringer boards I had never hit the mark.

I'm willing to accept his assertions regarding thin rails and stability at face value.  I've observed my tail is running partially submerged even with a forward standing position and it definitely seems to contribute to both pitch (forward and aft) and roll (lateral) stability.

Burt's pretty nutty when it comes to testing his theories; I would bet money he's shaped the same board with both full and thin rails to prove it to himself.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUStenance on June 05, 2015, 04:57:16 PM
I had the privilege to catch some waves on Creek’s SPEEED this morning. The waves were somewhat small, mushy, and the wind was light onshore. At first, it felt, as expected more “tippy” than my Angulo 9’, since I was giving away ~2 inches in width and length. I lost my balance initially when I was chasing after the first wave, as the conditions were a bit lumpy. However, I realized that the “balance adjustments” necessary were subtle, as once I determined not to “over compensate”, the board was manageable and stable to paddle. I was able then to catch the next wave, and get what was the best ride of the session up to that point. The board allowed me to catch waves that I did not think I was going to (in fact, one that I decided that I needed to “pull up” on, I caught anyways).

The board, which IMHO is appropriately named, has excellent speed. In general, speed is a great asset and today it proved necessary get around sections and get into the “inside” wave face that developed -- if you could make it. I also found it very maneuverable (which I found necessary on one ride to avoid running over Creek and my board floating in the soup  8)), and very stable when surfing. Even though this board is gave me what I needed to easily paddle into waves, it also was able to handle a late “foamy” takeoff.  Overall, I had a lot of fun on this board during the 30 minutes or so I was using it.

Granted I do not have the experience of most Zoners, as I’ve only owned three boards and can count on two hands the number of boards I’ve surfed. However, I think this is a very good board and I am glad Creek has brought it (and the other Bert Burger designs) to our attention.

Thanks again, Creek!  :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: beached on June 07, 2015, 04:28:07 AM

I don't know much about these things, but it sounds logical.  However the 8'10" speeed is 4 5/8 thick - isn't that as thick as most boards?  Or is the distribution different and therefore you ride lower?

His deck is domed, so your feet ride flush with the water. The thickness is measured at the stringer, so its meaningless for this discussion.

I've found domed decks add to instability. it's like trying to stand on a log versus on a piece of plywood.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: kliss99 on June 07, 2015, 08:06:59 AM
STC, can you give a comparison between the Speeed and Prowave?

Thanks, Ken
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 07, 2015, 08:07:55 PM
Hi Kliss.... I really can't, because I have come so far in the weeks since I last surfed my Prowave.
I was thinking I need to take them both to the beach and swap back and forth to really understand what everything means now.

The Prowave was always meant to be my goto winter, freezing, big surf board.... at 9'6 x 31.5 and 153 liters.... it's not apples to apples.
A fair comparison would be a smaller Prowave vs the Speeed

What I do know, is almost a given, because of significant size differences.... the Speeed is looser and snaps tighter turns. I need better waves to explore the speed of my Speeed, but today hinted at how quickly it accelerates.

They are perfect quiver mates because they each serve a different purpose and condition.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: johnysmoke on June 08, 2015, 03:33:47 PM
Awesome looking board!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED - short video
Post by: supthecreek on June 09, 2015, 03:55:51 PM
Had fun on a Sunday road trip... met up with Zoner "Eastbound" for a fun session in some clean little waves.

Water swapped for his sweet carbon 8'10 Allwave LTD and got some great rides on it!
He did well on my Speeed!

My cam only films for 29 minutes so not much footage...

Here's a shorty that hints to how nicely the Speeed surfs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xhqz_0eE6EU
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: spookini on June 09, 2015, 04:16:46 PM
Lookin' good Creek...  -- and a heck of a lot better than lookin' up at your ugly mug in a GoPro board-mount video!!

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfafrica on June 09, 2015, 07:01:38 PM
Here's a shorty that hints to how nicely the Speeed surfs

Who needs to hang 10 when you can do a modified warrior pose!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SUPcheat on June 09, 2015, 07:09:54 PM
I like watching your footwork, even at a distance.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Dwight (DW) on June 10, 2015, 06:08:27 AM
It looks FAST Creek. Impressed  ;D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: balance_fit on June 10, 2015, 12:07:15 PM
Damn, i missed out on your maiden voyage !

Congrats on the new board, which, by now, i bet it's been surfed quite a bit!

Seems perfectly suited to the small waves on your video, with maneuverability to spare. And, at 130L, definitely, a new paradigm in volume compared to your other boards. There's good things about the 13 !

Even though it has longboard design elements to it, it differs from a traditional noserider. But, i saw some x-stepping ahead of the pad on the short small wave clip....i'm curious, any camping on the nose?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Wetstuff on June 10, 2015, 01:05:36 PM
Adding to what Cheat said..  Rick,  That 'Peg Leg' at :25 was held longer than I have seen in or out of a contest.

Jim

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 10, 2015, 09:10:52 PM
Wetstuff.... I was practicing for your slack line  ;)

Balance.... it's not a longboard design at all.... it's a high performance "Tomo" style board without the flat wide tail.
The parallel rails and blunt nose may look more like a longboard, but that nose isn't really built at all for noseriding (although I do)

It's actually the smallest board I've ever owned, by far, when you consider the volume and width.

Here are some pictures taken today by fellow Zoner "Weed", that show more potential of the board.
I have video, but that will not be up till tomorrow, in sessions.

Remember that I am 67.... not the most rad ripper to show what this board can really do, but I certainly learned a LOT today..... first decent waves on it :D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: lunchbox on June 10, 2015, 09:48:07 PM
Wow...talk about your perfect looking beach day.

So...how did the board perform on waves with a little more substance?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: TallDude on June 10, 2015, 09:53:04 PM
Rippin it Creek! I think you're in love. That barrel action was tight!

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: karl on June 10, 2015, 11:55:10 PM
67... what an inspiration!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: karl on June 10, 2015, 11:55:57 PM
67... what an inspiration!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Ake G on June 11, 2015, 04:00:13 AM
Looks like Creek you're channelling your inner Barry Kanaiaupuni...... ;D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: bajasurf on June 11, 2015, 06:47:54 AM
Great review.....Thanks big time for sharing..

Bert has always been a Hero to me and I love the way he thinks and shapes... Great innovator    Your SPEED model is a great example.  I have been surfing a Tomo 8.4 board I shaped for the last 3 months and I dont like to surf anything else anymore... The Tomo shapes rock, even in bigger surf...

I hope that if I get to be 67,  I am in as good as health as you are and that I can still surf everyday..



Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: WhatsSUP on June 11, 2015, 07:00:42 AM
Creek:  GREAT pics!!!!!!!  Talk about a perfect day!!!   

 Can't wait for the video!!!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 11, 2015, 07:08:02 AM
ha ha baja..... you'll make it!
and, at the moment.... it's all I want to ride as well.

Thanks TD, AkeG, karl , lunchbox, WhatsSUP :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on June 11, 2015, 08:50:09 AM
Looking good Rick! Love the shaka from Marc.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: baddog on June 11, 2015, 12:24:46 PM
Nice :)  Looks like summer, except for those guys in full suits.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfinJ on June 11, 2015, 02:34:08 PM
Supercreek!  First the disclaimer for being an old non-ripper.  And the the photo spread (thanks weed :P) of you.....ripping!  I guess that gave you the power to dress for summer in what must still be some nippy temps.

Congrats on the new board, quite a session. Doesn't seem to have much of a learning curve required before proper use.

And I'm again amazed at your local.  In most places it would be swarming with a surfing hoard on a day like that.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 13, 2015, 05:38:44 AM
Yeah, Bdog.... it was 75 degrees and  sunny.... no way I'm in a sweaty wettie!

sJ..... I don't get the the theory of "learning to surf the new board".... I just expect a good board to work. Period. :D
I suppose that is because I have surfed for 50 years, and my style is pretty well set by now, so I pick boards that seem like a good match.

and, as far as a swarm of surfers..... we get up earlier..... claim a peak, and own it. Anyone joins US, gets what they get.... so they usually move to a peak down the beach.
Yesterday, I was a solo SUP, surfing with 4 proners, in perfect glassy 3' perfection..... I swapped emails in the parking lot after with 2 of them. We had a great session together.
I set up a video cam on the beach and let it run.... I got some great footage of the surfers to send them. Shared stoke works wonders!!!

We have enough quality peaks (like Hossagor) on 30 miles of sandy beach, that we naturally just sort ourselves out.
The super tubey spots are generally left to the "A" team shortboarders, and we prefer the workable shoulders of a softer break.

We have a very solid SUP scene on the Cape, and everyone is pretty good, and knows how to play by the rules.
At every beach, we separate naturally, but mingle at some at most peaks..... it works out really well, so no real anti-SUP has ever developed.

The parking lots are very friendly between clans, with lots of mingling, because many SUP'rs are also good surfers, so we are all "related" :)

Cold water and huge, plentiful Great Whites keep us off the places "most desired to surf" list

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfafrica on June 13, 2015, 08:13:18 AM
Cold water and huge, plentiful Great Whites keep us off the places "most desired to surf" list

You guys are so soft. ;-)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Tom on June 13, 2015, 08:59:11 AM
You've gotten me pretty excited about the speed and I'm quite interested in the 8'5". I called the Sunova U.S. distributor and was told that if I want one they have to send it from Thailand and it will take 4 to 6 weeks to build one. The price is $1999 US dollars plus about $150 shipping to San Diego.
Anyone know anyone coming over from Australia?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 13, 2015, 04:11:02 PM
I don't think that is right.... Pretty sure JimK is going to have Sunova's in SMALL numbers.....
The $1,999 price is in Australian dollars....  cheaper in US dollars

I am really looking forward to the day, all the Sunova's are in the US..... I love this board and this build..... I want more ;D ;D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Tom on June 14, 2015, 11:07:04 AM
I don't think that is right.... Pretty sure JimK is going to have Sunova's in SMALL numbers.....
The $1,999 price is in Australian dollars....  cheaper in US dollars

I am really looking forward to the day, all the Sunova's are in the US..... I love this board and this build..... I want more ;D ;D

I wish that were true. I specifically asked about Aus vs US dollars and questioned their response pointing out that the Sunovia  website was in Aus dollars. I'll check with JimK. thanks
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: magentawave on June 14, 2015, 01:17:33 PM
Jim K is a really good guy. He gave me an unbelievable deal in the early 2000's on a kite quiver plus two kite boards and his customer service was the best.

I didn't know anything about Sunova before this thread started but I've checked out all of their videos and boards and they look like some of the most progressive high performance sups available. I would love to demo the Sunovas and especially their Acid.

I don't think that is right.... Pretty sure JimK is going to have Sunova's in SMALL numbers.....
The $1,999 price is in Australian dollars....  cheaper in US dollars

I am really looking forward to the day, all the Sunova's are in the US..... I love this board and this build..... I want more ;D ;D

I wish that were true. I specifically asked about Aus vs US dollars and questioned their response pointing out that the Sunovia  website was in Aus dollars. I'll check with JimK. thanks
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: PabstSUP on June 14, 2015, 02:19:34 PM
Hey Creek - great to watch the session video of you ripping the speed. My wife tried out the Hobie Raw today in some small surf and liked it a lot more than the Allwave as she's progressing more with her surfing.  Thinking that the Speed may be a good board for her to transition to.  She's about 150lbs so I'm thinking the 8'5" would be a good match since she doesn't want to paddle around all the time to keep standing up on it.  I wouldn't mind having that board in our quiver as well - we may argue over who gets to surf it! 

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 16, 2015, 03:37:10 AM
Hey Pabst, good to hear from you...
oh, oh.... you let your wife try the RAW?...... you better buy her another board or you'll be losing it ;D

That's very cool that she is moving to a lower volume board, she will love it.

The Speeed paddles well and the 8'5 and she will LOVE how light it is....
just remember that it is a LOT narrower than either of your boards, but if I can handle 29", she (you) should be fine on the 8'5

We should meet up sometime.... I'd like to step back on the RAW, to see how I do on it, now that I have done so much balance work.
I never was quite sure why I struggled on that board once I was in a wetsuit.

A swap session would be fun, let me know if you ever head to RI.
and who knows..... maybe I'll head your way....I need a road trip down to visit my buddy JimK soon :D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: JimK on June 16, 2015, 12:46:48 PM
Creek,

Always fun to have a visit from Mr Creek to NJ
Mr Big is coming down tomorrow Waves look week though.

I have a Sunova connection (2015) running around $1599 delivered We are getting ready to try the first order(s)
I'll keep you informed
JimK
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 16, 2015, 06:13:55 PM
JimK... that is a great price for the kind of quality I see in my Speeed.

Have fun with Mr. Big... I hope you guys get some waves.

I will be down..... I may time it, to be on hand to see your first shipment of Sunova's... I'd love to see some of the other models!!!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: breakbad on June 16, 2015, 07:47:33 PM
JimK,

Let me know if you get a 9'5.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: eastbound on June 17, 2015, 04:10:36 AM
creek, pls time your southbound with some surf out of brooklyn.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: PabstSUP on June 17, 2015, 05:39:05 PM
Creek - would love to meet up for a session to get you back up on the Raw!  Let's keep in touch - I'm likely going to be in the Narragansett area through the fall so I'll definitely be finding a day or ten to with great surf to take the day off from 8)

A zoner takeover of Pt. Judith's point break when it's firing would be pretty cool to see!

Cheers,

- Dale

 
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: Tom on June 17, 2015, 06:52:46 PM
lm the  guy  JimK is trying  the  first  order  with . Signed  up for  the  8 10. Jim is  great  to work  with . I first  called  the  distributor  on the  Sunova  web site  and they  were  not  much  help . Creek   said to  call  Jim   and I  am  sure  it  will  work  out  well .
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 17, 2015, 09:26:50 PM
eastbound, I'll get in touch when I do a fly by!

Pabst.... see you there ;-)

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: OUTSIDEWAVE on June 18, 2015, 09:56:02 AM
I knew I shouldn't have read a Creek review...now I want this board  ;)
x2  I do wonder watching the videos it seems like the nose never even gets wet. so why have such a square nose  I know to keep the rails  parallel. but what about exiting the nose an inch or 2 so it would be more rounded   and  more pleasing to the eye. 
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: OUTSIDEWAVE on June 18, 2015, 10:23:39 AM
none the less i am very intrigued by this board and have been flirting with pulling  the trigger on new one. been  thinking hammer, kings custom   and a few other but now seeing these  I am so confused :-\
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: OUTSIDEWAVE on June 18, 2015, 10:35:20 AM
Hey Creek, post some pictures of the bottom  is it concave ? flat  double single ? I might have missed it  in the   posts   some pictures would be great! Thanks
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 18, 2015, 01:29:51 PM
Outside
Square is BIG in Australia.... it allows shorter, narrower, faster
plus....if they made it more rounded.... it would appear to be a Simmons rather than a "Tomo"?


The nose, as it stands is really functional... it allows me to dig super hard, when paddling for a wave... it gets more stable, the harder I lean forward.
It never pearls... the scoop is so pronounced that it gets me out of a lot of tight situations.... especially coming off the top, it handles the landing well.
It is so thin that I don't notice it being there.
Another bonus is that it "fits" the wave face, when catching a weak wave.... just step up there and the board will catch any tiny bump.

Only drawback?
I keep banging the front corner on stairs, because I can't see it when walking.
I gotta remember that I haven't got a tapered point up the stairs from me.

Bottom is slightly single concave. Slightly, being used accurately here.

I really haven't vetted the whole board for a full review yet, so my pictures are only preliminary... hard to see with the level I used... I will need better props to get good pictures.

I have never been this long without useful "review" waves.
We need some size and power to really put it through it's paces, and get proper video look at it..... I've never seen Cape Cod so gutless.... just weak slopes... but fun :)

This pic shows the concave about a foot back from the nose... I'm pretty sure it is fairly constant throughout, but it is so slight it's hard to tell... like I said, I need a more contrasting setup to see it.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: JohnnyMaya on June 30, 2015, 03:12:07 AM
Hi guys,

First of all thanks for the kind words on the video footage. I'd love to say that it was all about my surfing as i really try to draw some clean lines when suping, but a lot of it comes from the board.
That video was shot on a day where I was demoing some of their boards, i had never tried the board before. The waves, while super clean were completely gutless.

At the time i was one of the Starboard team riders here in Portugal. Since that day, i lost the pleasure of riding my Starboards and I simply couldn't get even close to the speed and drive I felt on the Sunova. I'm not even sure what it is, if the round rails or the lack of hard edge.
Since then, i left Starboard and became a Sunova ambassador and got myself a couple of boards.

I'm 6'3 and 235lb.

I've been away from home traveling and judging some WSL events so not so much time to try the new boards which arrived two weeks ago.

The boards I got were a slightly modified version of the original sizes to accommodate my not so lightweight frame:
- Speeed 7'11 x 26 3/8" @101.6L
- Acid XL 8'2 x 28 1/2" @ 105L

While i've already taken both boards to the beach, the Acid is still to get it's debut as the Speeed is soooooo much fun. The other day though i swapped boards with Tiago from Sunova here in Portugal and his stock Acid 8'2 felt insane - even if i'd sunk it to my thighs if i'd stop paddling.

The Speeed 7'11 has everything i wished for from when i tried the 8'5": smaller, more agile and allows for quicker turns. In the other hand it doesn't have the same glide and drive from the 8'5, but it can also come from the fact that i'm not using the stock fins which are big due to small surf. I'm waiting for some clean decent sized waves to take my conclusions.

After surfing the board for a couple of days and spending time in the line up looking at it, i feel Bert really nailed it: the board is a beauty and surfs like nothing i've ever tried before.
Besides the parallel outline and rocker, i feel there are two parts of this board which makes it "the Speeed" - the hard edge all the way up to the nose of the boards and those deep channels on the tail of the board. Whatever you throw at it, the board will handle without sliding or loosing it's line. I can now go much deeper in my backhand bottom turns than before and still have a lot more speed when i reach the top of the wave.
This is the reason why i'm currently using much smaller fins: you will still have a lot more speed than on other boards, but it will allow you to go for some fins free turns if you really push it (i couldn't set the fins free with the stock fins).

The other thing that really amazes me is that with this board is that if i'm setting the rail to get barreled it enables me to keep an high line like a surfboard would do, but since i'm yet to try the Acid, i can't tell if it is due to the outline shape, the channels, the rocker or the hard edge. One thing is for sure, i've never managed to do it before on other SUB's.

While it is an hand full to paddle for someone my size and weight, i feel i could probably have gone 26" wide or 25 3/4" and still get away with it. Having a narrow board feels so good. I'd say that my previous board (the 2015 SB 8'0 Pro at 28" wide and 105L) isn't any more stable than this one.

I was afraid that the board would become too thick from adding some volume, but in reality it doesn't feel thick as the rails have a really low profile.

When i have some more time on the boards i will try to post a review with some pics and videos.

Cheers,
Johnny

PS.: One of these days i'll try to surf the board finless. I think it's going to be a lot of fun!!!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: baddog on June 30, 2015, 08:56:18 AM
Cool Johnny; looking forward to a new vid.
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on June 30, 2015, 11:00:00 AM
Great info Johnny.... thanks for input!
Everyday I am more jazzed on this thing!!!

4 great sessions in 36 hours.... Yowza!
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: stoneaxe on July 08, 2015, 05:15:13 PM
Great write up. I HAVE a brand new board that I love and you guys have me wondering..... :P

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: SCruzSUPr on July 08, 2015, 07:46:14 PM
OK, I gotta cop to it... I succumbed to the peer pressure and ordered a Sunova Speeed too... the 9'5" version.  This is the shortest I've ever gone, so  we'll see.  Countin' calories and days....

Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: lunchbox on July 08, 2015, 10:09:33 PM
^^^^^

I ordered one as well...and also the 9'5"....the Johnny and Supthecreek videos got me  ;D
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: JimK on July 09, 2015, 09:47:49 AM
let me know if i can help you guys with Sunova's

I've delivered several things seem to be working

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: surfafrica on July 09, 2015, 09:54:37 AM
Hey Creek,

I'm always curious about board dims/shapes.  I was wondering if you'd be willing to post a few measurements (see pic)?
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: supthecreek on July 09, 2015, 10:17:45 AM
Africa

1 = 21 1/16"

2 = 17 3/8"

3 = 11 1/8"

4 = 19"

A lot of special sauce is spread between 1 & 2  :)
Title: Re: 8'10 Sunova SPEEED
Post by: standuped on July 09, 2015, 10:23:44 AM
I'm 6'3 and 235lb.


The boards I got were a slightly modified version of the original sizes to accommodate my not so lightweight frame:
- Speeed 7'11 x 26 3/8" @101.6L
- Acid XL 8'2 x 28 1/2" @ 105L


This is some remarkable mathematics!
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