Jimmy Lewis Striker 8'11 test report

[SUP Bali]

Hello friends,
I had my striker for now about 3 weeks and before writing a report I really wanted to use it in many different conditions.
I will try here to compare it with the Mano 9'0 and 9'4, so here we go:

First! Why the Striker having already the Mano 9'0?
...Cause I was looking for a board that I can use mostly when I'm giving lessons in waves about waist high.
The Mano is a super performance board and I love it but with the little volume I always need to be concentrating not to fall off when paddling around the line up taking care of my students. Also it does not shine in the smallish softy waves and I wanted a board to play a bit on the nose..

With the 130 liters and a width of 30 inches the 8'11 is perfect for my 70 kilos.. Is really stable and float me well, has a nice gliding for such a small board and it make really easy to catch waves!!
Once on the wave is very loose and accelerate very fast.. It likes to be ridden on the front and is a good nose rider (it was design for that!).

I gave it to try to a guest at 100 kilos and he was also able to paddle it and catch some waves.. We were both quite surprise!

NOW compare to the Mano..
Gliding: about the same of Mano 9'4 slightly better then Mano 9'0.
Stability: ST better then both Manos.
Going over Waves: Mano with pointy nose are better.
Take off Small waves: about the same as Mano 9'4 better then Mano 9'0.
Take off Big waves: Mano's are better. ST doesn't like a late drop with big nose!
Acceleration in small waves: just a bit better then both Manos'.
Acceleration in big waves: the same.
Speed down the line: ST is quite a fast board and it reach the maximum speed early, the Mano keep accelerating and goes faster like there is no top end..
Turning: Mano is better for nice carving on big faces, striker better for snappy turn in smallish stuff.
Handling: the ST doesn't like to be ridden on the tail.. With the Mano many times in head high waves I found my back foot right at the kick of the deck pad on the tail!
The ST become hard to control if you step too back..

Final Conclusions:
I really like the ST it and if you are looking for a board to have fun on the smallish days with plenty of stability and to mock around on the nose then is the right choice!
It really complement well my Mano 9'0...
Not the right board for fast hollow reef breaks and the bigger days!
If you are into the market for only one board to do everything well and to use it in many different waves conditions the Mano is still the right choice..

For more photo and news check our FB group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=181379219287
Bye Jankie

[sharksupper]

Great review, thanks!!

I'd love to see a review/comparison like this for the kwad.

[aircube]

Hey jankie, great post.  The 9'5 striker is one of the boards i am considering this year, but i can't find any reviews.  i need something for knee-shoulder high fat/flat waves that are a bit sucky. Would the striker fit this?  Does it take off early?  Does it glide through flat sections?  Hows the nose rocker for take-offs?  It looks really low/flat....

[SUP Bali]

Ciao Aircube,
sorry I don't know about the 9'5.. But I had people quite heavy on the 8'11 and they did quite good. For me at 70 kilos is super stable to paddle..
Take off is very easy and glides quite well.
Today we went SUP in waves about knee to waist high and I still had fun!

I should be able to to a review of the Kwad 8'7 quite soon.
Bye Jankie

[aircube]

Thanks Jankie, thanks  for th reply.  i was hoping the 8'11 might be similar enough for a general comparison to the 9'5.

Regarding the 8'11:

i need something for knee-shoulder high fat/flat waves that are a bit sucky. Would the striker fit this?  Does it take off early?  Does it glide through flat sections?  Hows the nose rocker for take-offs?  It looks really low/flat....

thanks

[SUP Bali]

Tried the striker 9'5 yesterday. Feel really similar to the 8'11 just bigger and more stable.. For my weight of 70 kilos was too much board!
Would be good for anyone over 95 kilos..
Yes I already replied to you.. Very easy take off, good acceleration, I use on reef waves so it does handle quite sucky waves.
Bye Jankie

[aircube]

Sounds like a great board,

 thanks Jankie.