Imagine Snap 8'6" mini review

[Caribsurf]

Was in Providenciales , Turks and Caicos for a quick business trip and had the opportunity to surf the outer reef "Cellars" with Wes Matweyew.  He posts a lot of videos and photos from his drones on Stand up Journal website. He and his girlfriend Anika are great people if you ever get down to T&C they will hook you up.

Anyway, I didn't bring a board so he lent me his Imagine Snap        8'6" x 28.5" x 4" - 106 LTR

I am 6ft 185lbs

The outer reef is almost a 2 mile paddle from the beach and this day was windy and choppy so a real chore getting out and back in.  I was amazed that I was able to paddle and surf this board in the conditions.  I had never been on anything under 115 liters and that was clean conditions and not a distant paddle.  This day I fell a few times in the lineup but didn't fall once on the 2 mile paddle back to shore.

I was most impressed with the light weight of the board and yet what appeared to be a very durable construction.  It also has a really cushiony and grippy deck pad which was very comfortable and reassuring.  The board was set up as a thruster but can be ridden as a quad.  The waves weren't the best and conditions sloppy, but the waves I caught, I was pleased with the board and how easy it was  to turn.  Because of the conditions, many of my take offs were late and we were surfing in 3 ft of water over sharp reef, and that was incentive enough to make my take offs.  It was primarily rights  and I was on my backhand, and the board just accelerated on my last second bottom turns.  It paddled easily, but was very tippy and a chore in the chop.  My calves felt it the next day.  Waiting for a wave, the board was slightly underwater, but thankfully it was warm water so my feet didn't mind.  Once on a wave the 106 liters didn't matter at all, and it really surfed like a short board.

When I demo or try friend's boards, rarely do I find anything I like right off the bat and nothing that comes close to my Hobie Raw, but this Imagine Snap felt great from the first moment I stepped on board and was a pleasure to surf.

I had never really seen any Imagine boards and thought they were plastic or roto modeled and some of their recreational boards are, but this Snap board is a GREAT performance SUP and I think worth a look.  2014 /15 models are slightly different than the board I rode.  I am in the market for a new board and might consider their 8'10" 109 liter model….

[SlatchJim]

looks like you need a 9th board! I'm impressed with anyone that can paddle something that small.  Riding it is the easy part, hehe.

[Caribsurf]

I paddled it ok/survived with a few dunks, but once on a wave  it surfed great and I had no problem with the small board.   If I could unload my Naish XC32 I'd seriously consider the Imagine Snap but probably jump up a little in size and volume.

[southwesterly]

but once on a wave it surfed great

We're starting to hear that a lot in our sport these days.

(hint... a 6'2" short board surfs even better once on a wave)

[Caribsurf]

We're starting to hear that a lot in our sport these days.

(hint... a 6'2" short board surfs even better once on a wave)
[/quote]

You know what I meant funny guy....its a trade off how well a short board floats you in the line up and how it surfs and if it's worth the effort.  The Snap was worth the effort

[Ake G]

If you're still around, Tim @ Ocean House Surf Shop in Swampscott, MA sells Imagine boards. His personal board is a Snap. Offers demos on all boards.

[supthecreek]

Nice review Carib, thanks! It's good to hear about some different boards on here. If you like it... it must be a good board
I have been wondering what Imagine was doing with Dave K. on board..... not a lot of chatter.

Dailybread has been putting up some fun vids, riding a Kalama

[mrbig]

If you want one better hurry. Discontinued for 2015. Amazonia has one. Shop in Swampscott may have one - website has one for sale. Looks like the DW, race, touring boards, and all-rounders sold and the short high performance ones did not! How 'bout them apples!

[Caribsurf]

Last time I tried to see the Imagine website, it looks as though it had been hacked/hijacked and I was unable to access it…

thanks for the leads on the boards Imagine boards for sale..anyone wanna buy a Naish XC32?

[Caribsurf]

Ake G  thanks so much for that lead .  Ocean House has a 8'6" snap for sale $995….WOW!  soooooo tempted

Maybe I'll try and swing a trade with him with my Naish