Anyone riding a mini gun?

[FredBGG]

I just got a new board... Don Johnston 6'8" hollow carbon fiber (Aviso).

Only took it out once and in very mixed up conditions, but so far I like the thing a lot.

Tracks over and through chop really well.

If I get far forward on the board it zips over the kelp beds suprizzingly well.

Handles speed very nicely to.

It has an intresting hull.
Quad concave with and intresting concave pattern into the fin area.

Waves wern't consistant enough for me to judge the board in the waves, but my impression is that despite the size it feels nimbel and fast.
I'm guessing it will be best in bigger waves.

Oh ... almost forgot..... the upwind preformance of the board is damn good.

Anybody else out there tried aa mini gun or gun in the surf?

[mattv]

Hey Fred,

Welcome to LTS. Looks like we are now members of three forums together, LTS, Kiteforum, and Foilzone. Good to have another foil and strapless rider on here. I think there are three of us on LTS now.

[steph]

Make it 4! Speed2 15, Pulse2 12 and Venom2 10 + Zap Pro Medium.

And sorry Fred for the thread highjacking...

[gavin feargrieve]

Er, umm, make that 5 of us.

But no, haven't tried a mini gun just yet. Sounds interesting though. Let us know how you make out.

G

[FredBGG]

Did two great downwinder with the new board.
Took it into some meaty waves.
Love the board.
It's a really good combination for me.

Just works everywhere for me. Chop, monster chop, flat, waves, upwind, down the line, lefts on the waves.

[mike dubs]

Fred,

I have been looking at the Aviso's, either a pure surfboard or one of the Slingshot variants. What's your view on how they feel? Is the hype matched in the reality of the ride?

Mike

[FredBGG]

Hi Mike

What makes the Avisos special is the flex pattern. No other board has the same flex pattern.

The boards are hollow with veryy ridgid rails. The hull though has plenty of flex along the cebnter line.
This allows them to absorb chop very well yet ride with the precision of a board with little or no flex.

For strapless riding I think that a standard Aviso board is fine. With straps you need to go with the stronger Slingshot models or have Aviso build the one you want with kitesurf construction.

I prefer the standard construction due to the more flexable hull and the fact that I only ride strapless now. (not being a strapless snob ... I just love riding strapless )

Anyway I suggest you look for a used aviso surfboard... if for some reason you don't like it you can resell it for the same money.

If you ae in the LA area you are welcome to try mine out.

Cheers

Fred

[mike dubs]

Fred,

Thanks, that's what I'd read, but nice to have it confirmed. I'm pure strapless too, would love to try yours out but, i'm in London, thanks for the offer anyway.

cheers

Mike