As I mentioned in the Merimbula 2017 thread, I paddled a Sunova 12' Search demonstrator board up there.
Going to Merimbula, I was not in the market for a new board, particularly not a surf sup.
For some reason related to my own weirdness, the older, obscure stuff interests me more.
I of course looked at the new stuff on offer on Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Chatted to AA, but Sunova in particular didn't interest me.
I have met Bert a couple of times in Merimbula, was impressed by him and loved his enthusiasm and passion.
Most of the surf range is and will remain beyond my abilities.
Helmy was demoing his private demonstrator "Creek" board, looked Ok, not for me.
I watched the BOP race on Sunday, had a couple of beers, was walking back to the unit to start packing up.
As I passed the Sunova tent, I swear something called out "Psst, Nozza"
There was no one there, but this board was lying there.
I had a good look, liked it, went and got Aloha Hugo to tell me to stop being stupid.
He came back, checked it out with me.
He agreed it looked nice, I probably would have left it there, but AA showed up and said "Take it for a paddle".
Shore break was bigger than I was comfortable with, there was probably a 15 knot cross wind and wind chop, I wasn't that keen.
Hugo said he would demo another board with me, we went and donned rubber, headed out.
I could barely stand in the wind chop, board was less stable than I expected - felt a lot like a 12' PSH which is narrower.
But I caught waves!
This may not seem like much, but my lifetime wave count is very low.
I could surf in, step back, turn it in the shallows, paddle out.
Moving forward and back seemed easy - I could even move too far back trying to get on a wave and stall it.
Still unconvinced, conditions weren't that pleasant.
Was carrying it back up, AA was coming the other way, I asked if it was OK to take the board up to the inlet - no worries.
Well, one worry - it's close to a kilometer carry.
Trying that with a PSH Gun would near kill me, carried it up, swapping arms twice.
Felt much nicer in the inlet, I got more confident, paddled out the entrance, over the bar, downwinded back down to Main Beach.
Starting to be impressed.
Returned the board, had a beer with Helmy, went and found AA.
Said the board was nice, but I really don't like the balsa look, or the prominent signage.
He said "Order a custom then, any colour, any design, any tint you want".
Now I'm getting interested.
Sent myself away for a cooling off period in the shower.
Found myself sitting down and making some notes, basic colour layout, a couple of small tweaks.
Accessed my stash of paddle cash in the Kombi, went back up and found AA at Kerry's Bar.
He gave me a beer.
Showed him my sketch, handled over an amount of cash for a deposit.
Got back to Melbourne, work, starting to wonder if handing over an envelope of cash to someone in a Merimbula park was really such a good idea.
Then this arrived in my email........
Unbelievably impressed I can get my own custom from a major manufacturer.
Thanks Andrew, Dylan Burger, Sunova.
Now the wait......
Love it. Cracking, versatile board from micro ankle snappers to major rolling mountains.
Why does it do that, hey Laurie!?
