Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: supsean on June 18, 2019, 07:39:06 AM
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Any body see this one flying under the radar? https://genration.com
Looks like a new company from Sunova with Sean Poynter and Daniel Hughes riding these tiny boards with no tractions pads. Look like they have some step-down rails and they are making one for "heavier" riders. Looking pretty sweet.
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Funny you should mention that. Last Thursday I was out foiling Fenceline (Sano) on a pretty decent day, and looked down to Nukes to see a couple guys (one guy in particular) just shearing the tops off of the head high waves there for about an hour. I couldn't tell who they actually were due to the distance, and didn't recognize either's "style" if you will (we get some good guys out here at times, but not that good regularly), but marveled at their SUP skills.
Well later that day back on the beach I looked down the sand, and recognized Daniel a few cars away from me, and it all made instant sense to me as to who I was watching earlier. So wandered on over to see what he's been up to lately, as I've know Danial and his brother Matt for quite sometime, but hadn't seen him/them in a couple of years at least...and he talked about how excited he was with his new "Generation" ride (he had been with Kings for 9+ years), and how he and Sean were able to work on the design line together with the folks at Sunova.
He was thrilled to showoff the construction, and dang near tossed the board to me so I could "feel how light it is". Well dang, it was light, feather light, and despite its lightness, seemed solid as a rock. We don't see too many Sunovas yet around here yet (at least I haven't seen but one or two), so I've not actually looked one over closely until Danny tossed me his...and I gotta say, "I'm impressed".
So if any of youse guys know any of those Sunova guys...let 'em know if they want/need a demo rider for one of their SUP foil boards in the Sano/SoCal area...I'd be more than happy to help 'em out. Think I might be able to make that 6'3" look pretty good, but they'd have to put another set of forward boxes in it for my "Angledfoil" (have 'em call me, and I'll tell them where they need to put 'em). LOL! ;) ;D
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Ha ha! Thanks for the story
Although I will never ride a toothpick, I still get excited over new boards. As a heavier rider (especially than those two) and of questionable skill level, I would certainly be an excellent candidate for a similar demo-rider situation.
;) ;D
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Lines like 'high performance for bigger guys' always gets me interested. Futures fin boxes are nice, and I know some here will love the standard handles.
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The bigger board is the Kanga! I suspect Ian Cairns is also there.
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Nice looking shape but way too narrow for most mortals. Good to see they went with a proper handle.
I do like the looks of the new Sunova Placid. The 8'3 X 30.5" 112L would be perfect for me.
Photo - https://www.seabreeze.com.au/img/photos/stand_up_paddle/15106272.jpg
https://youtu.be/EvEoVn9o0NM
.
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James had his Placid on our Maldives trip and he really made the board look good, or visa versa. James is an amazing surfer and can rip on anything but it seemed to me that he jumped up a couple of levels when he got the placid. He and Bert said it is basically a twinnie with a small trailing fin.
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If the Kanga runs more volume than a similar sized flash or acid, then that is where my money would go. The placid sounds like a fun board, but I think I would rather get a SMIK hipster and enjoy a very similar concept expect with more volume for added comfort.
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Genration website updated with board sizes. Still no outline, rail. rocker, etc. details that would help explain the differences between the models - and with the outline pics of each model looking exactly the same as each other it is hard to reconcile the descriptions. For example - the Kanga is the 'most stable board we offer' yet board size similar to the SP25 is narrower with less volume (i.e. Kanga: 8'2" 28 13/16 106L vs. SP25: 8'3" 29 7/8 118L).
Also, no detail on the construction/layup differences from the 'traditional' Sunovas - I believe the video of the Sunova dealer meeting mentions 'lighter' due to the high performance focus. If so how does this translate in terms of durability?
Note fins and deck pad is extra $
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+1 MDG. Dims on the Kanga and the SP do not make sense at normal olde fahrte dms.
Also the Hughes board is quite different in real life. Double wing elliptical tail. But not in their glam pics.
Buy now before the price increase!
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Pleasantly surprised on some of these volume numbers. I'd love to know where they are hiding the volume. The length to width ratios of the wedge are close to the acid, but with like ~10 extra liters of volume. That step rail must be doing some real work.
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A few more updates on the Genration website, including new SP24 and Falcon. Pic of the Wedge updated that better shows the stepped rails and double winged tail. Kanga shown with deck pad.
Bert himself chimed in on the Wedge over on the breeze: https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/New-sunova-boards?page=1.
Would like to hear more on the SPs and Kanga, but questions directed to genration seem to go unanswered.
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any mortals been on a Genration yet? IE people riding boards with 1.1 ratios or greater?
I missed what seemed like a great opportunity to check them out at the Long Beacj NY Sup Event
Super interested in what looks like alot of smart thinking for regular suppers going into these models. Especially the Cairns model.
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I am as mortal as they come.... and I have ridden a GenRation!
The GenRation guys were competing in NY APP Pro on Long Island, so I headed down there with only one objective:
To see, touch, feel their boards and ask the boys all about the boards.
They were super nice and open with me... and spent hours talking about the boards.
What amazed me was how these Pro models, sized up for average riders. (Badger, there's plenty of width per size)
They carry more volume and width than the Creek.
I could ride smaller lengths and still get ample volume, thanks to the stepped rails.
The rails on all boards were super nice, low performance rails.... and the decks were relatively flat, for the higher volume.
Sean Poynter and Daniel Hughes said they could ride boards at ankle depth, while their competition were sinking to their waist.
They loved the advantage of getting into wave super early... and still have more performance that any board they have ever ridden!
I am waiting to complete my video on the trip.... but first, I want to chat with Tino (Sunova) to find out how this all fits together.
Short answer:
These boards are the real deal and the guys are wild about them.
NOTE:
They ride STOCK boards....You will get the EXACT same board they ride, scaled up to your size.
These boards are the result of a long design process, between each rider and Bert Burger.... when they were 100% happy, they announced the GenRation line.
They change nothing for the stock boards.
The pros may opt for the lighter "Vapor" build... but I couldn't tell it from stock XXX construction.
They invited to meet up with me for a dawn patrol session on the last day of the competition.
Sean told me I'd have no problem riding Ian Cairns board, since he's 240 lbs. Ok, great.
Ha ha... Ian's board, the Kanga, was 8'6 x 30" at 120 liters
I weighed in that day at 238 lbs... so the board was at 1.1 x body weight.
The smallest board I have ever spent an hour on, in the surf..... and actually, it was sort of doable.
I wobbled and struggled, but was able to remain upright most of the session.
It was dead high tide, and waves weren't breaking, so only one weak wave..... but I had a good feel for the board.
Here's a few stills from my days with them..... the last 2 are the 8'6 Kanga I rode.
I used a shot from in the water to show the rails and deck
Video soon.
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yess Creek! Exactly what I was hoping for!
thanks so much for posting! may look into the Ian Model prior to my Maldives trip- (with my fluctuating waistline need to buy close to the the trip for the right volume! :)
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Its kinda wild that the Kanga actually has the least volume for the size compared to the other boards. the 8'6 SP25 is 129L.
It doesn't look like any of the big market share SUP companies have done anything notable to their performance surf lines for 2020. This is where its at if you are surfing hard, either that or order it custom yourself.
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NJS and exiled, I agree, these board are worth serious consideration.
My quick take on each model:
Just to give some sense of what may suit each SUPster.
Semi unsubstantiated... simply my gut, after watching them surfed and looking them over as they were explained to me, then riding the 8'6 Kanga and looking at the numbers on each model.
NOTE:
ALL boards and sizes have been specifically designed for maximum performance.... rails are low and performance foiled on every model.
Different techniques were used on each model, to achieve optimum rail performance
All boards have reasonably flat standing areas.
All models come with 5 Futures boxes.
SP 25, Wedge and Kanga, were designed to be ridden smaller, than your usual size
Best if I simply tell you what size I will ask for... and why.
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SP 24
9'6 x 32.5 at 170 liters
This is a tough one for me, after my experience with my very pointy nose Acid 9'4 x 32.5 at 136 L
The Acid is super tough for me in winter gear, because the low volume nose and tail, dips under so easily.
The SP 24 has 20 liters more... but the same thin nose and tail.
Since this is designed for serious size and juice... I'll only ride it in the biggest waves I surf, so going all in on comfort
This is a special situation board and extra size won't hurt me, it will only help me in serious swells.
and paddle to those remote point with ease!
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SP 25
8'9 x 32 at 146 liters
Easy call because this is a small to medium wave ripper with easy stability for me.... even in winter gear.
Ample width and volume under your back foot for quick take-off speed and super maneuverability
I could go 8'6 in summer.
Watching what Sean Poynter slash this board around... looks like the small wave, pick of the litter. (pic)
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Wedge
9'2 x 31.4 at 156 liters
Also an easy call, because the nose and tail have adequate width and volume to suit me year round in most conditions.
Daniel Hughes carried and generated more speed on this board than any SUP I have ever seen.
After a full rail gouging turn, he would launch a true air, land it and be at full speed instantly, for the next turn.
I am looking at this board to be my go-to for most conditions.
In a perfect world, I would also have the 8'10 for summer ;D
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Kanga
9'3 x 32.75 at 155 liters
Also an easy call, this will be my comfort board year round..... great performance in all conditions.
This board will handle any size and conditions easily.
The rails and rocker are perfect and felt like this more traditional shape will surf easily and will excel in anything you throw at it.
In my perfect world, I'd also have this in 8'10.... an easy summer size for me.
In smaller sizes, this will be a ripper
In bigger sizes... it gets comfy real quick :)
Note:
This will also be the perfect "Big Boy" or even as a starter board, because the bigger sizes will suit almost anyone.
The kind of board you could learn to SUP surf on.... then progress all the way to advanced SUPster, without ever changing boards.
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Sean Poynter.... doing his thing on the SP 25
yeah.... it goes alright ;)
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Looking forward to trying the SP line. I'm currently on a 7'7 Acid. Creek how does the SP line ride compared to the Acid?
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Hi SaMo
I only had a short stint on the 8'6 Kanga so far.
Lobbying to get some sent to me so I can do some full reviews and vids.
They are all really quite different from the Acid.
I am expecting the SP 24 and Wedge to have minimal swing weight like the Acid.
The SP 25, Wedge and Kanga can be ridden much shorter than the Acid
quick example
8'11 SP 24 = 140 L
8'9 SP 25 = 146 L
8'10 Wedge = 140 L
8'10 Kanga = 135 L
8'10 Acid = 116 L
They pack in some float while maintaining sweet performance rails, plus nose and tails stay thin. NO domed decks. Magic :)
Seeing them in person, giving them the full hands on, really sold me on them so far.... can't wait to have some for full on testing!
Make no mistake....... these boards were designed for Pros to beat the best in the world.
No compromises.
You get the exact same board they ride on the world tour..... not a look-a-like.
Some pics of Sean Poynter spending 1.5 hours showing me all the boards... in detail. Super nice guy!!!
and a Kook Hat Cam shot of me paddling for a wave on the 8'6 Kanga... and a water shot that kind of shows the deck and rails
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Too funny.... my buddy Cisco from Portugal, just posted this vid on FaceBook
Some cool clips of Daniel Hughes surfing the GenRation Wedge are mixed in!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jr2AYF_bkY&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2jQ1UfiZhhubXzfjf-nyu4U58qxzf6F3KKq6bm-rFo9vaH1xUsmJ6K2Bk
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Cool vid. Watching some crazy good young guns ripping in funky waves.
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Looks like Kanga lost some weight too. Good looking boards
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Man, if I were made of money I would have ordered that 8'0 wedge already as my next challenge board. Ticks almost all of the boxes if it works well as a thruster. Creek, did they give you any better sense of the wave ranges for the different boards? When do you switch from the SP24 to the SP25? What size wave does the wedge max out at? Are you already developing your next gen step railed Creek 2.0? ;D
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Hi exiled, I hear ya!
I can't wait to get some real time on these boards, to get a feel for the differences between them!
No, the Creek won't be changing cuz it meets a lot of needs as is.... a good solid shape that should hang around for while!
I watched Sean surf both the 24 and the 25 in the same small clean waves.
He was seeing how the 24 would go in weaker surf and he ripped it.... but the 25 was the right call for those waves.
Honestly, after watching Daniel lay down some amazing rail turns on the Wedge... I think that board is going to meet a lot of conditions.
The video above show Daniel in some pretty good size and laying down the same turns without skipping a beat.
The Kanga is simply a solid traditional shape, with performance and volume tweaks that make it a winner for a massive range of riders.
So far, my take is the the Wedge, SP 24 and Kanga will all handle a lot size more than I will ever surf.
I wish I had the Wedge 9'2 for Humberto.... it would have been a great test for all of them but that's the one I want to try first (ps.... the Creek was fine) :)