With all the Stand up paddle boarding going on there is one brand who seem to be getting ignored: BIC.Yes... Bic who make pens, windsurf boards and of course extremely popular plastic boards. B don't forget, they also make higher end Epoxy Composite surfboards.
I use their 6'10" e-comp surf board which is an Epoxy composite and it's great! I have done some my best surfing on it, and it is very durable... as I keep smacking it off the doors and poles on buses.
So clear your mind, here it is: " The Jungle" At 10'10" it is a nice size (I'm 72 kilos) and very well thought out board.
My first time paddling it was into 6-8ft waves and there was a strong enough wind. It wasn't too bad paddling out into it (cross on wind Force 3-4) which is quite fun when they break on you (as you'll know if you've tried). I actually found it harder paddling for a wave on the first day, I think because of the wind from side and the chop, but when it got the wave, man it tore off!
I stepped back - it has a nice bit of v in the tail - so it turned without effort and I was tearing across the face of the wave for one of the fastest longest rides I've ever had. I have to say there was a lot of falling that first day with the wind, so I got rid of the paddle and surfed normally and of course it paddled easy onto waves and was great as just a surf board.
Over the next few days the waves died down and things got a lot easier and I suppose I got more comfortable with the balance. I got out the back quickly, and paused for a breather cause it's such a good work out, and then catch the rolling swell before it turned into a wave.
It was great, maneuver into the right part of the wave get your self ready for the big acceleration as the wave peaks and carve it up, " God I wish I was back in Kerry now"...
Anyway.. It was great fun and it was perfect for the week that was in it as the waves where no too steep and not too powerful at times. A friend even came to join me on a messy on shore wind day and used it as a surf board And he seemed to get up and for longer then any of us and he had only surfed a small few times before.
It can also be used as a windsurfing board which is quite fun, as it gets up and going in a fart! I first used it in the Dock for teaching off so it is nice and stable and with dimensions not too far of the old boards and the fact that it comes with a centreboard (and foot straps) it could be used to teach some one to windsurf on.
Next I brought it out to Dollymount in 15kt's. Now that was fun.... it was going before I could step on to it, and would just take off. A better fin would have made a big difference (it comes with a wave fin) but still it's lots of fun and would carve around really easy. When the wind dropped off at the end of the day it was still moving and once you got in front of any small wave it would take off on it. I think it would be great fun in light wind and medium to bigger waves.
In summary, I was very impressed all-round, though we never even got to try it with its seat on (as it has attachments for a seat with back rest for use with a Kayak paddle)… I think if MacGyver had a board it would be the Jungle.
Oh it is also very light, has a handy carrying hole, has a soft central deck, and is only €999 new. We have the this board on demo, so why not contact us and give it a try!
Enjoy,
Ant
http://www.surfdock.ie/
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