Acid Review from an Experienced Surfer

[surfshaver]

Gents--

This is a review of the Acid that I'm doing on behalf of my friend Jim, who's not a member here.  He's friends with Beasho, so I'm writing this knowing Jim will likely get wind of it. 

A lifelong friend, Jim is a legit NorCal surfer, kitesurfer and paddle surfer whose main spot is Ocean Beach.

When I say Jim knows what he's doing, here's an example: Opening Day Swell at Maverick's this year Jim and I surfed Steamer Lane the same day.  We were the only guys out on SUPs and he was charging 15-20 foot Middle Peak.

Jim has been riding a PSH Hull Ripper and wanted to get a new board.  I had gone through buying a new board this year and had looked really hard at the Acid and the Speeed before getting an L41. When Jim said he wanted a board for hollow, fast surf up to DOH that would turn really hard in the pocktet, I told him to look at the Acid.  I had seen one in my local shop (Poseidon in Santa Monica) and it was the most radically foiled, short-board like sup I'd ever seen.

Jim agonized a bit over size and decided on the 8'10" at about 115 liters.  He weighs 195.

He surfed this morning for the third time at OB on 10 foot barreling faces in challenging conditions, and he said he loved it.  He said it surfs like a shortboard, knifing takeoffs and turning mid-face with total confidence.  He actually found the board so responsive, he fell off a couple times when it turned faster than he thought it would.  All in all, he's stoked and thinks he could easily ride it up to triple overhead.

Just for comparison's sake, I have a 9'2" JL Stun Gun at 124 liters and Jim found the Acid to perform at another level: faster, quicker and more responsive.

Now I'm thinking I might get the same board for when it gets bigger down here in So Cal and as a one-board quiver for traveling.

I'm happy to have steered him right and want to thank Tino at Sunova and Christian at Poseidon for hooking him up.

Anyone who regularly surfs good waves and wants a high performance board should consider the Acid.

[supthecreek]

Stoked when I hear how much people like the Acid... stunning board!
Thanks for passing on his thoughts on the board!

I always wanted to surf Steamer Lane... never made it that far north in my travels... awesome place. Maybe someday 

[surfshaver]

Thanks Rick.  It was partly your input that got me interested in Sunova in the first place.  Now I'm convinced I need one too!

PS -- Here's a shot of Jim getting ready to backdoor a section at OB on his Acid...

[magentawave]

I have never surfed the Acid but what a beautiful board! I start frothing whenever I see a picture of one.

[SaMoSUP]

I got to demo a 8'8" Acid XL over the weekend. It's too big a board for me but I wanted to get an idea of the design, domed deck, LiftSUP handle, and how the rails worked on the water. My current board is a Starboard Pro 7'7" so I'm looking at getting the 7'7" or 7'4" Acid. For a big board I was surprised how responsive it was. As mentioned above I fell a couple of times because the board turned faster than I thought it would. And it has really good speed down the line.

An interesting thing is that the rails were sunk even though I weigh only 150 lbs. The board is around 113L. I'm real close to ordering one. Just need to try a 7'4" Rawson Pro Mo before I bite the bullet.

[NorthJerzSurfer]

super stoked to try the 9'1 this weekend at the Jimk / Creek Sunova demo!

need a winter charger for big winter NJ- which after living in SF can act alot like OB ...big shifts peaks with lots of beatings. (But never as gnarly)

[supthecreek]

NJS... stoked to be there, the 9'1 Acid is waiting for you!
Virginia Beach for a few days starting tomorrow)



SaMo.... glad you tried the 8'8, even though its big for you.. it does let you get feel for the way these boards feel in the water.

[Chest2headandglassy]

Virginia Beach for a few days starting tomorrow)

In time for the swell. I have a "doctor's appointment" in the afternoon so I'll be in the water around 3pm. I'll shoot you a message.

[exiled]

Whats the width on that 8'8 XL Acid?

[surfshaver]

I'm interested in how you find the domed deck?  This is one of the main differences between the Acid and my current board, which has a flat deck.   Does it feel more tippy?

[SaMoSUP]

I think the width is 30.5". The domed deck I didn't even notice until after I returned the demo so guess it wasn't very pronounced. Since the board was big for me it didn't feel tippy at all. It felt like a barge compared to what I normally surf. One thing I noticed was the rails were sunk despite the high volume for my weight.