Surftech 2012
We had chance to try and check the 2012 paddle surf boards from Surftech. We had a damp day to test some of the new sticks which included a new set of distance and race boards from Jamie Mitchell and New Laird Hamilton boards designed with Joe Bark. Surftech already have reputation for making some of the lightest distance race and paddlesurf models on the market the 2012 line does not disappoint. The new elite race boards felt very light carbon bottoms and tufflite tops seem spot on in the weight department-they also are making a tufflite only cheaper model of certain distance boards which does feel heavier than the elite boards but are acceptable – if you want top performance buy the elite model!
Surftech Roxy – 10.6 = £1145 and 9.6 = £1145
We didn’t have any girlie’s to try these so we thought we would try them ourselves – I really like the feel of these, and they felt very similar to the Pearson Arrow lairds –they are really stable easy to paddle and rode waves with great ease and were surprisingly loose. What was good was the fact the board tracked pretty well – but still rode small waves with great ease. They have a decent surfboard style rail line handle which was well placed and boards were light weight and easy to carry. 10.6 x 32.25 x 4.3 – 9.6 x 30 x 4.33
Jamie Mitchell Latitude 12.6 £1495 And 14ft £1695.00
The Jamie Mitchell models look very different this season – gone is the drawn out pin tail and now there is a high volume squash tail. The boards are super fast and feel more stable than the 12.6 of 2010 – we tried them in choppy windy conditions so it was not the most perfect test conditions. What you notice straight away is their weight – they are super light – the high volume tails give you the chance to get more pop when you paddle. As you compress into your paddle stroke as the paddle is forced down in the water – the shape and high volume tail is forced down into the water as the paddle gets released, the board rises out of the water and with forward momentum picks up speed. All sounds very technical but you do it nearly all the time on a sup with good paddle technique-the Mitchell tail shape improves this. The 14 ft is narrower than the 12.6 and once a cruising speed with hold that speed with a little less effort.
The Laird Race Tufflite 14 ft £1445
This is big volume board 275 ltrs 14 x 29.5 width 7.5 inches thick will suit big guys and we felt this board would make a great downwinder –super fast downwind has good footstearing and the vee bow drives through chop.We had a swept back fin on the test board so it was harder driving up into the wind I think a more upright fin would work better into the wind.The Elite model will cost £1595 –personally I spend the extra and get the lighter board. This board has been a collaboration between Joe Bark and Laird Hamilton so you know its going to be good. There is 12.6 model x 30″ and 7.75 inches thick 259 ltrs. This has a different shape more of a squash tail –feels very stable a similar concept to the bark competitor and is a great all rounder in different conditions. Volume has been reduced in front of the foot pad to reduce windage. They come in both pro elite construction £1395 and tufflite £1345.
Bark
Bark is legend in the paddleboard world his distance race and prone boards have brought him many titles –in the USA bark is king of many of the race comps and his production boards are result of a lot of R and D. We had the new competitor 12.6 and dominator 14 ft which have had a tune up with lower deck profiles forward of the pads. We also saw the Candice Applebee model in blue which we didn’t get chance to try.12.6 competitor elite £1545 (Candice Applebee model same as 12.6 competitor) dominator elite £1745. The boards are still as fast as
last years so always a very good option.
We arrange demos for 2012 models and other surftechs please call simon on 0774 775 8883 for specific technical advice or email simon@2xs.co.uk
