So I finally got a chance to ride on the Speeed with some decent ankle strength and in some clean swell!
I am 5'10" and weigh 170.
Almost 6 weeks from the sprain and fractures in my right foot from poorly landing that windsurf jump, so a little pain but the backfoot pressure really makes a difference on turning the Speeed. In the meantime, I got 4-5 sessions on a weak ankle in decent waves where I just set a rail and went. In those, I quickly found (A) very fast paddler, easy to get into waves, (B) extremely fast rider, which made it easy to tuck in the barrel - was able to outrun and get around closeouts and right back in to clean sections, and (C) very stable for the width.
In short, I already was thinking that there was no way I could go back to a 30" wide board (my 7'8") so, depending on turning, I was lining up for an Acid for the glassy days where it's all shredding.
Here is my updated take on the board (updates in blue), but in short extremely pleased:
(1) I was surprised at how stable it was. At 170 with a 5.5/4 I thought I might have issues with the 103l and 27" width - not at all. More stable than my 7'8" x 30" x 100l.
(2) I was really surprised at how well it paddled out through white-water. I thought the wide nose would pop up, but it doesn't. It goes right under the waves - almost as well as my 7'8" and definitely better than my JP Wide Body Surf (8'2") which likes to go over the waves (I like going under - in bigger waves especially so I don't get the nose of the board in my face). UPDATE: Still true, see above. The only addition is that I feel that the "kill zone" where you are too close to the break is smaller than even my traditionally shaped 7'8" with the sharp nose. Not sure why, maybe the overall width, but the nose goes under the whitewater very easily and once it's under I feel very little backwards push. In short, this board is great at paddling through the break. Small kill zone.
(3) Love the construction - not much I can say there other than bullet proof and light. When I eventually replace the 7'8" for another "short-board" style board, I think I would do the Acid. UPDATE: Not sure I will need to replace the "short-board" style board with the Acid . . . . very happy with turning, too. In terms of looks, I have gotten more than one comment on how cool it looks, one "sexy" comment. Very cool looking board.
(4) A LOT of grip - the whole rail goes in and if you are not used to that, you'll end up high on the wave. But great when you get used to it. Easy to walk forward on it and tuck into the barrel. Easy to track a straight line and get around white water and back on the face. Lots of speed. I think I could easily nose ride the board once my ankle gets better. UPDATE: If anything, I would say it feels even faster than on my initial test. Still amazed at the speed. All other comments remain the same. I am riding waves that I never thought rideable - the speed gets me into new Sections, and I literally feel like I have twice the options in rideable breaks at my local spot. Very sweet.
(5) The few times I dared pressure my right foot, I felt like it really wanted to turn. Not quite like the 7'8", and the nose rode high, but I felt like you could definitely set a rail and carve. Like I said, more on that once my ankle is stronger. Definitely back foot steering. When not pressuring the back foot it felt much more like a longer board to me, I think because of the straight rail. UPDATE: Not noticing the nose riding high now that I can commit on my right (back) foot in a fully compressed position. I like to really bend my knees, as I find there is a lot more speed and drive, and I couldn't do that with the bum ankle so back foot pressure=standing on the back of the board. Now that I can compress the board has a really nice stance in the bottom and top turns. Goes rail-to-rail much easier with a lot less foot movement making those top turns (and avoiding going through the wave) a lot easier. Well done.
(6) Paddles nicely - tracks and pretty fast paddler. UPDATE: Same. Was with my buddy who was on a Tabou Sup-A-Surf today. He was struggling to keep up when we paddled to a different break, even though I was not paddling hard. I also was able to "catch up" to some waves that I otherwise would miss. Very fast paddler=more waves.
(7) Can easily catch waves late. I almost got it to pearl once, but it popped out easily. UPDATE: Timing the board better now, so no further comment.
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I had a harder time pivoting it than the 7'8" when setting up for a wave - to be expected, it tracks more and I could not use my right foot to push it around. UPDATE: Not noticing this now that my ankle is stronger. I think it was because I wasn't able to scissor the board with the bum ankle.
(9) Catches waves earlier than the 7'8", and able to ride mushier waves and use the speed to get into the pocket. UPDATE: Same.
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