Scouting round for a entry-level surfboard, called in to Woody’s Kite Surf today. Well worth the epic drive, these guys are soooo helpful and, for once, I didn’t get that nagging feeling I was getting spun up. New shop… get behind them, I reckon.
They got a 5’7” Best surfboard that I haven’t been able to track down any online info about. Now, I’m not for a moment doubting their word that it’s the board for me, I’d just like to triangulate with some second opinions. Its only distinguishing feature, apart from size and brand, is it’s blue, totally blue. Oh, and it's a thruster. Familiar to anyone? Anyone got or ridden one?
(maybe strictly speaking this should be in with the reviews, but hey, it's not a review, it's a request for one)
Hi Dogfish,
A couple of years ago I bought a board off choicy's, he had quiver of pre-production boards that came from the factory North boards are built as I understand. The tell tale identification of the boards were a brushed type paint job and a North style grip that incorporated a foot hook on the back deck and plastic fins with a single screw through the top deck holding them on.
I had mine for about 2 seasons until I snapped mine but enjoyed the ride. Mine was 6 foot.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Rich
Hey Rich
thanks for that. i thought solid blue, maybe was brushed... i was a bit starry eyed at the time, it's such a compact sweet lookin thing. seemed tough. the fins and hook fit the bill. would you call it a beginners board, ie, stable and forgiving? (hey that's all starting to sound like my girlfriend)
cheers
denis
I got mine just after moving to surfboards as my paddle board was getting badly beaten up.
Never had problems with mine, never pressure dinged, found it fast and stable but then I do come from a surfing background. I went for the 6 foot as I am 90kg and I was going strapless.
I started doing strappless jumps (ollies) and landing very heavy footed in the middle of the board which caused it to snap. I feel going strapped and jumping you tend to land a bit more controlled.
I would recommend going with the board, that is if it is the same bunch.
What other deals were going on, any well priced 9 or 10m kites for sales?
Cheers
Rich
the guys were busy sorting the shop and there was lots of stuff marked down. (well, maybe busy is a relative term). i didnt look closely at the kites but the shop is def worth a visit imho. just don't buy any blue surfboards! 
D.
Good feedback guys, just to clarify.... as rich said these wer NORTH pre-production boards. This is a 5'7 BEST thruster with a wood laminate deck, 08-09. they made it with yellow or blue rails with a white deck.
Dogfish is a waterman but has never surfed. Weighs 95kgs, recommended a strapped board under 5'11. He has a Shinn wave and a protoy for a twin tip, a mutant would be too close to what he already has??????
A board over 5'11 will give him a surfing feeling, but he has never surfed, and therefore will not know the power-zones on a wave or the lines to take. He wants to ride powered and use the kite and whip it around. Is a cheap, very durable 5'7 for Perth conditions off the mark?
If anyone can help dogfish out here the board he is wanting reports on is the 09 Best 5'7" Thruster. Confusion here may be that he is describing it as "all blue". (As Dogfish says himself there were lots of varieties on offer and discussed).
Its actually the kite specific Best transition (from flat to waves) board he is wanting reports on. There are lots out there. Its the one that sports the 'Best Fish' across the nose end in black on white with predominent other colour being blue (in this case - other stock colour options were available)
Id love to see some 'genuine' rider reports as well as this is a very well priced option of 'entry level' kite-surf boards for those crossing over from flat water.
oops - overlap here with dave.
All good tho - a few rider reports still whats asked for.
My apologies, it sounded similar to the one I bought off choicey.
Is Woodies open on Sunday?
Cheers
Rich
Hey Rich
Yep - we sure are. For summer weekend open hours are Sat & Sun 10:30 to 3:00.
Just saw the board yesterday. It's on the heavier side, which I see as an advantage in Perth's shore breaks and chops. You may want a lighter board only for larger clean waves (IMO), but a lighter board on the other hand would be bouncing on the Perth chops. Perhaps, you can ask to demo it....
