GEAR : feedback 7'11 Curve XTR !!!

Romain shares with us his impressions about the 7’11 Curve PRO XTR : “I’ll try to translate my feelings into words here on this board after 2 sessions … To start, I went recover the board Friday morning at the opening of the warehouse in Saint Jean de Vedas to enjoy the training course swell. This is always the case when I order a board with GONG, they think add a few waves in the package to test the gear right away! It is the little “more” of the house !
As usual, the board is well protected in its packaging in the colors of GONG and it must be 5 minutes (the time is reduced since the changeover to the rectangular box) to exit the board of his sarcophagus. No visual failure, the board is really beautiful and the finish is of a very high level. Balancing is very good, the board tipping either on the front or on the back when I carry it by the handle. The board is very light, but especially the volume / weight ratio is impressive. I’m be used for the purchase of the HIT 120 and XTR boards that followed, it is always surprising to handle such board. Overall (shape, finish, weight, “sound”, touched, …) it inspires a strong sense of confidence. This is important because I think it affects much of the surfing we will be able to produce with a board once on the water.
Arriving in Sète, installation of tri fin fins (without having to sand or scrape the plugs), small forward and waxage towards the sea conditions are bad. Wind and swell very short multipics. But there has plenty to test Curve. I choose a sheltered spot where swell loses much power but gains greatly in cleanliness. On paper, the Curve is not the ideal board for these waves of reform without too much power. But envy is stronger than reason and so I go in water with freshly unpacked Curve.
The first contact in water is very good. Despite the wind and residual water movements in the bay, the board is very stable. Nothing to compare with the Final 8 ‘XTR for example. It is much easier thanks to the width of the Curve. The board is very sharp underfoot and it instantly reacts to each oar. Its speed is very good for its size and because of its stability, it is possible to force confidence on the paddle to give a boost if needed. This is important for me and that’s partly what I fault the Final. Sometimes I miss the waves because the search for balance during half turn monopolized so much force that I could not paddle effectively (especially in the same kind of conditions). I think I’ve missed a single wave that day. A fall in the take off following the return to the water on the opposite rail (too much weight on the front of the board). I do not mean the row of this board, it is almost non-existent for who already knows to row correctly.
This board may well be a “pro” model is really very accessible (at least for the part balance, paddling and taking wave).” SUPer : Romain et sa GONG SUP 7’11 Curve PRO XTR. Source : Team GONG SUP, stand up paddle surf de qualité à prix dingue.