Finally Joining the L41 Tribe

[surfshaver]

I'm a lifelong surfer and have Sup surfed for the last few years.  The first performance Sup I bought was a 9"2" Jimmy Lewis Stun Gun (124 L).  I love the board but looking back on it, I could have gone a size down.  The board is super smooth, predictable, and it can handle any size wave.  But it is a little slow in waves under shoulder high, and we get a lot of those where I surf (Malibu).

So I have always thought that when I could pull the trigger on a new board, I'd go for something smaller, lighter, that would work great in waves from 3 foot but still work up to 8 foot faces, which is the range I surf most of the time.

I have read about and been interested in Simsups since Kirk McGinty started shaping them.  At the same time, I used the Zone and other forums to learn about some of the newer and more innovative boards out today.

I narrowed down my choices to:

L41 Popdart -- the most progressive/pocket surfing-oriented Simsup model (Thanks Andy/AJR for the info!)

Sunova Speeed -- we all know about this one.  (Thanks Creek for the advice!)

Rawson Pro-Mo

My big decision was how much a drop in size/volume would I go?  My experience with the Stun Gun was that I had no learning curve/adjustment period, which led me to believe I could have gone a step down in volume, which was 110L for the 8'7."

Supthecreek validated this when he told me the right size Speeed for me would be the 8'5" at 112 liters. 

Another data point came from Erik at Paddlewoo who said that performance really increases at a Volume/Weight ratio of 1.3 or below.  For me at 86-87 kgs this is about 112-114 liters.

I emailed Kirk, who said a Popdart at this volume would come out at 7'10"x29"x4.375."  This compared to the Speeed at 8'5"x27.75"x4.375."

The closest Rawson Pro-Mo is 8'2"x28.75" and 105 liters, which I felt might be too much of a step down.

I agonized over the decision, but went with the Popdart.  Part of the reason was that one of my two main waves during the summer is a long but mushy pointbreak and I've seen how well simmons shapes do at that spot.  For now I will keep the Stun Gun for when it gets bigger but I'm itching to try a Speeed as from what I've read the pulled in tail lets you ride it in bigger waves. 

The Popdart will be done next week and I'm going to head up to Santa Cruz to get it.  Lucky enough theres going to be a big north swell hitting and Im meeting an old friend for some waves.  Yewww!

Will report back

Alex

[supthecreek]

Nice Alex!

Have a blast on your L41..... Santa Cruz would be a perfect place to get it wet for the 1st time 

[surfshaver]

Thanks Rick.  I appreciate all the advice.  I ran into Tino from Sunova at PPG and spoke briefly to him.  I told him I definitely want to get on the Speeed next.  He said he could work with Christian at Poseidon to see if they can get a demo board to try so now all I need is to win the lottery because I know I'll like it!   

[surfafrica]

My move to a 7'8 L41 ST was an absolute game changer for me on what SUP surfing could feel like.  I think you are going to love love love it!  Don't get spooked if the first session on it feels weird...you'll get used to it pretty quickly.  Looking forward to a ride report.  Those Popdarts look fantastic.

[mtnbkr]

You will not be disappointed!  I picked up a 7' 8" 110L popdart a few months ago and it made me rethink my quiver. I've sold my 8' and 8'5" starboard pro's that were my go to boards unltill double overhead. I was thinking Popdart for small waves but it has handles way overhead. So manoverable and fast. I now have a 7'4" TV dinner on order for small mushy days. Enjoy! Keep us posted.

Aloha Jeff

[Night Wing]

Congrats on getting a new board. Now the waiting part begins. Hope it arrives soon than expected.

[SUPalon]

Another happy L41 Customer. 7'8 SimSup ST and 9x6x28 Longboard SUP, planing on adding more L41 boards to the quiver, first stop is a bruce wayne for winter condition. Kirk is a master shaper and his craftsmanship and Stretch glassing are top notch. I live 1.5hr away, it's nice to buy local.   

[SUPcheat]

For L41 conditions, some of the best wave entry boards do seem to be the L41. The guys riding them seem to enjoy high wave count, even when they are on the shorter L41 boards.

I see Kirk out around Privates/Sharks all the time testing his brews, and he is a style master for sure. I watch him a lot just to see how he handles his boards.

That being said, I can't imagine you wouldn't luv the Speeed, too.

[surfshaver]

Thanks guys.  Will post a pic as soon as I get one.  Kirk does his usual glamour shot of the board propped up against a wall. 

Supcheat, maybe I'll see you out on the water next weekend if the board is done by then.  My buddy says its going to be firing up there!

Cheers,

Alex

[SUPcheat]

I haven't been going out this week due to some kind of lingering virus and the weird "perma high tide" where the tides are over 3 feet for two tide cycles lasting 12 hours and washing what little wave there is out.

I will be out next week back to Santa Cruz to surf starting Thursday.  You can PM me if you want to meet and try out the 8.10 Speeed at least if you are there at that time and haven't got a loaner board.

[surfshaver]

Cheat, I appreciate it.  Would love to try the speeed.  Right now my plan is to drive up Friday but that depends on if the board will be ready.  Waiting to hear from Kirk.  I will PM you once I figure out my plan.

PS my college buddy who will meet me up there is friends with zoner Beasho and he sent me a video of the two of them riding together on a legit 20 foot left at middle peak -- within a few feet of each other.  I'm not really up for those kind of conditions so I'm kind of going to play it by ear.

[surfshaver]

Board is done!  Kirk just sent me the pic.

[surfafrica]

That board is going to rip!  Congrats.  (don't get spooked if the first couple session feel weird...it's amazing how fast your muscle memory will lock into the sweet spots)

[mtnbkr]

Looks sweeeet! 

How did you choose the glass layup?

Aloha Jeff

[OilheadCJ_SUP]

Awesome board!  I don't think I could ever go back to production boards from overseas after riding Kirk's shapes.  I have a popdart on order to add to the quiver, cannot wait. 

Best of luck, you're going to love it!