FEEDBACK : 9'8 Carter EPS !!!

“Hello,
After a few sessions in varied conditions and most particularly in clean, shoulder high waves, I’m getting back with a little feedback on my Carter 9’8 EPS.
The Board is super light for its size, it’s very surprising every time I take her in my hands. The construction is clean, the Shape, magnificent. The resistance to pressure dents is less than the PU, but I was aware of this from the beginning, so no surprise. We’ll see how the Board ages over the next few years.
When paddling it’s obviously VERY fast. The EPS construction give the impression that you have more glide than a PU. It might just be the impression but it gives your moral a boost when you need to paddle back out after a llllooooonnnngggg ride.
Take offs are a formality, she gets going from really far off. I place myself even further out than Longboarders and SUPers. It’s a real pleasure to pick the sets off so early.
The Board s fast, the glide comes all by itself. You have to move around in order to find the right position as the waves unfurls. In the centre, a little more upfront, so you can accelerate and follow the trim-line or get through a section that’s closing out. Or, on the contrary, on the tail to get her to turn.
The Board reacts well and allows for some sweet cutbacks with the condition that you don’t bully her. With my level, any attempt at a short turn and trying to whip her around and slap the lip ends with me sticking a rail and a fall. On the other hand, if I dose my pressure, looking for more rounded turns the Boards reacts well and offers me some sweet trajectories. Its manoeuvrability is a big plus when there is a lot of people in the water, because with a 9’8 you’ll find yourself weaving in between the rest and having to slalom through them. With her size and Shape, she bulldozes through mushy sections like a missile and allows you to connect sections that would be impossible with another Board. So, I find myself regularly taking off form way out on a series and to finish my wave at shore with water to my knees (the importance of a Board that paddles back out fast has all the advantage and makes sense!) It’s also really genius to be able to Surf so long and have the impression that you have a world class point break at your disposal. So I am very happy with my purchase, the Carter responds perfectly to me needs and what I desire in a Board, and the spirit of a glider that slides so long and lets me take advantage of each wave. The 9’8 size a good compromise because she is less exclusive and technical than some Boards larger than 11′, and at the same time offering a slide that is unique.
After that she still remains a cruiser with a very particular spirit that won’t please everyone, or every spot. That being said, I don’t think she will become a one Board solution. For me, she has her place in my Quiver like her little sister the 9′, which I also posses, both are boards I will keep for their life span.
With the advice of Patrice, I Surf with a 5’5 Center and 2 side bites. I’m really happy with the set-up and have yet to try another configuration.
If you got the budget -and the garage space!- this Board is a Must Have!” Surfeur : Penboc’h et sa GONG Surf 9’8 Carter EPS. Source : GONG Surf, the stunning glider from GONG Surfboards.
Tags : GONG Surfboards, surfboards, glider, old school, retro surfboards, surf, surifng, gongsurfshop.com.