Picked up my new baby today. Now bear in mind I hadn't actually seen one of these in the flesh before ordering. I went off the web description, reviews, the dims and gut feeling. I haven't surfed it as yet. Today was a nice solid 3-4 foot (head high to a bit above) east swell, which is Alternator territory all the way. I picked up the board on the way down for a surf and only put a leggy and tail pad on it this afternoon.

Preliminary impressions? It feels wider than I thought it would. That's not a bad thing - just an observation. The nose area is wider than I expected - indeed the tail is too. But that's offset by it being thinner/more refined than I expected. I can see how this board will pick up speed quickly and hold it, drive off the front foot, yet still allow strong back foot surfing.

First surf will be tomorrow. On honour of my favourite surfer the first fins to get a go are Parko KR fins (thruster). In honour of my cousin I got a Mick Lowe tail pad on EBay, and whacked that on. Can't wait for tomorrow!