| Q: |
Is it a traditional shape or the NEW stubbie style? |
| A: |
It is kind of from the stubbie camp: short and wide at 57cm. The board itself is very stable when up and going and feels compact. One of the benefits of this style of board, and certainly of this model, is the way gusty conditions are a little more effortless. The design cruises through the lulls, allowing you to stay in the foot straps at slower speeds. In this respect it is very easy to sail for a wave board of this volume. |
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| Q: |
Is it like the "Evo" style board then? |
| A: |
I would say not. Where the EVO style boards are loose and a little skitty off the top, the Proof has a lot of grip. This board rockets upwind compared to other wave boards due to the vee and the concave. From a wave riding view it is more like a traditional wave board than the Evo. |
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| Q: |
How is it for wave riding? |
| A: |
Unless it is really light winds, it is great and bites into the turn adapting well to long, drawn out turns using the whole rail, or short tight turns initiated off the back foot, thanks to the relatively thin pin tail. In light, 'plodding style' winds, you feel that a little more length would be appreciated. It is easy to nose dive when not planing. In light winds, its larger cousin would be a better bet. I have been riding the Kauli Pro 56 a lot, and jumping straight to this board was pretty easy as they are both of similar dimensions. Once you dial the board, you can turn it really hard, even at slower speeds and get great projection into the pocket of the wave, even if the wave is slow or mushy.
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| Q: |
What about general bump and jump/freestyle? |
| A: |
The first runs on this board were in choppy conditions and the first thing I noticed is just how smooth it was. Hardly surprising when you take a look at the underside and the single to double concave that extends beyond the fin. You also feel that there is a lot of grip there. Bump and jump is good because blasting is very comfortable, aided by the thick pads and excellent North Shore footstraps. It is also as easy as any board of this class to jump, once you are used to landing the shorter length.
For freestyle, it's not brilliant, but that is not what it is about. The nose is definately wide enough for slidey stuff, certainly superior to a standard narrow style wave board and it is easy to pop. However, any moves around the nose, including tacking, require you to be very, very quick. |
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| Q: |
Where do you set the mast track? |
| A: |
Light winds or slack waves then quite far back. Put it further forward if the waves are powerful or the wind is strong. |
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| Q: |
Any other comments. |
| A: |
The graphics are nice and simple, although it is a matter of taste as to what you prefer. Some like loud, some don't. The construction is said to be strong; the board is slightly heavier than those coming out from the Cobra factory (JP, F2, Fanatic etc). This could be a sign of a bit more beef, time will tell on that one. The boards themselfves are made in the AHD factory, maybe this could explain some similarities with the AHD range. |
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| Q: |
Who is it for? |
| A: |
Definately for some one who already has experience of a small wave board and wants to push and develop their style further. |
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Plenty of Vee and double concave throughout.
Comfy pads.
Vee extending beyond the fin.
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