I wanna add that i love how you guys are being honest in what surf the board does not work in. Noel seems to just surf and test his boards at lowers and most boards tend to work well there. Have you guys did the dhd 3dv? I rode mine twice and sold it 😎
There's a bit to unpack there. If you listen to Noel, he really breaks it down well on a very technical level. He happens to shred and make boards look good regardless, but there's a fair few instances where he's critical abut how the board behaves, and correlates / syncs the comment to a video clip . What better place to showcase a board where its flaws can be highlighted? Riding a board twice isn;t enough to sell it, unless you've far under or over volumed it, fins can make or break a board.
WHo am I? 43 years old, 5-7- 155lbs- intermediate to advance surfer and I am from the East Coast of the States. Typically surf the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in Virginia. I bought the 5'-6" 25.5L Rocket 9 while out in California in February. I have ridden it 4 times, all out in California in San Diego. 3 of my 4 surfs were in waist high sloppy beach break wind swell stuff. I rode it with the AM1 fins day one, went pretty good, board liked the rail to rail surf as the tail rocker is a bit steep compared to a normal stubby board. The thing turns vertical on a dime and holds speeds through turns. I felt like as long as I had just a little bit of push to get me going it held speed off my front foot really well. I am a big fan of the Weirdo Ripper which I know Benny was also and I feel like the Rocket 9 is the higher end performance model of the Weirdo Ripper. This board turns so much faster than Weirdo but it doesn't carry speed on its own as well in flat sections, or at least that was my thought after that first day on the AM1s. I tried the Channel Islands Twin Fin with Trailer ALPHA construction fins and what a difference in sloppy surf. That get up and go that it didn't have with the AM1in small slop was now there with these fins. Granted the Weirdo Ripper has more drive but this fin set up helped quite a bit. The CI twin set isn't the most performance template for twins so I bought the T1 by Futures in the Alpha but haven't had a go on those yet. I have had quite a few boards since my magic Weirdo Ripper years ago and haven't felt a more "magic" board since. My favorite board in the last 4 to 5 years hands down. I have had several custom boards from shapers who work at major labels as ghost shapers, two Fred Rubbles, a Holy Toledo, Hypto Krypto, Sub Scorcher II, Fred Stubble, etc. and the Rocket 9 is the best out of the bunch for that 2 to 5 foot surf.I would take it out in 6 foot surf as long as I didn't more rail on take offs. I ride a Channel Islands Mini in thigh high to knee high surf, but on the Outer Banks we get pretty steep waves even when its small. I think the Rocket 9 excels on any wave with a steep face (no matter the size) with a tight transition or anything that has a bit of push it will work great in. It surfs on rail like a HP Shortboard and turns quickly like one, but paddles into waves great, and feels more like a step down HP where you can get a bit more radical with the shorter rail line. You can ride this a small wave board also, just add those larger fins. LOVE THIS BOARD
Had the same experience with the R9. Quite frustrating on average days to the point of selling it, took it out on a good day and it lit up, stuck in my quiver now.
Really enjoyed the review guys. I love my CI Rocket 9 and with the Futures twinnies plus small trailer it flies! I much prefer this fin set-up to when I ride it as a standard thruster and it seems to work just as well in bigger conditions. I've had fun surfs at around chest high on my rocket but I agree, it's not much fun in anything smaller.
Would this board be a good step up for more of a HPSB that would compliment the Pod or would you recommend a different CI model? Trying to find a board that is HPSB similar to Pod family
Do you think this board works as a HPSB? Would it like headhigh to double overhead hollower waves? I have a daily driver but am looking for something that can handle the bigger, heavier days
I thought it was all hype and for hipsters .... I got one to try out as the wax on my board would always melt due to my black ute tonneau now I’ve had one on every board since I couldn’t go back to just wax on the front
How come I didn’t get the invite to join you guys on this review? Ha... Cheers guys I like this review... fresh.
hey - it's RUclips's favourite 3 board reviewers all in one thread! :)
HA! You're welcome any time Noel!
I wanna add that i love how you guys are being honest in what surf the board does not work in. Noel seems to just surf and test his boards at lowers and most boards tend to work well there. Have you guys did the dhd 3dv? I rode mine twice and sold it 😎
There's a bit to unpack there. If you listen to Noel, he really breaks it down well on a very technical level. He happens to shred and make boards look good regardless, but there's a fair few instances where he's critical abut how the board behaves, and correlates / syncs the comment to a video clip . What better place to showcase a board where its flaws can be highlighted? Riding a board twice isn;t enough to sell it, unless you've far under or over volumed it, fins can make or break a board.
3 way collaboration at Kelly’s Surf Ranch?
WHo am I? 43 years old, 5-7- 155lbs- intermediate to advance surfer and I am from the East Coast of the States. Typically surf the Outer Banks of North Carolina and in Virginia. I bought the 5'-6" 25.5L Rocket 9 while out in California in February. I have ridden it 4 times, all out in California in San Diego. 3 of my 4 surfs were in waist high sloppy beach break wind swell stuff. I rode it with the AM1 fins day one, went pretty good, board liked the rail to rail surf as the tail rocker is a bit steep compared to a normal stubby board. The thing turns vertical on a dime and holds speeds through turns. I felt like as long as I had just a little bit of push to get me going it held speed off my front foot really well. I am a big fan of the Weirdo Ripper which I know Benny was also and I feel like the Rocket 9 is the higher end performance model of the Weirdo Ripper. This board turns so much faster than Weirdo but it doesn't carry speed on its own as well in flat sections, or at least that was my thought after that first day on the AM1s. I tried the Channel Islands Twin Fin with Trailer ALPHA construction fins and what a difference in sloppy surf. That get up and go that it didn't have with the AM1in small slop was now there with these fins. Granted the Weirdo Ripper has more drive but this fin set up helped quite a bit. The CI twin set isn't the most performance template for twins so I bought the T1 by Futures in the Alpha but haven't had a go on those yet.
I have had quite a few boards since my magic Weirdo Ripper years ago and haven't felt a more "magic" board since. My favorite board in the last 4 to 5 years hands down. I have had several custom boards from shapers who work at major labels as ghost shapers, two Fred Rubbles, a Holy Toledo, Hypto Krypto, Sub Scorcher II, Fred Stubble, etc. and the Rocket 9 is the best out of the bunch for that 2 to 5 foot surf.I would take it out in 6 foot surf as long as I didn't more rail on take offs.
I ride a Channel Islands Mini in thigh high to knee high surf, but on the Outer Banks we get pretty steep waves even when its small. I think the Rocket 9 excels on any wave with a steep face (no matter the size) with a tight transition or anything that has a bit of push it will work great in. It surfs on rail like a HP Shortboard and turns quickly like one, but paddles into waves great, and feels more like a step down HP where you can get a bit more radical with the shorter rail line. You can ride this a small wave board also, just add those larger fins.
LOVE THIS BOARD
Hey jon, Thanks for the detailed review
any updates with the T1 fins
Craig’s face when Benny is talking.
It's very pretty
It was an interesting way to review the model. I appreciate it because I fall somewhere between you guys when it comes to volume preference.
It was an interesting way to review the model. I appreciate it because I fall somewhere between you guys when it comes to volume preference.
Had the same experience with the R9. Quite frustrating on average days to the point of selling it, took it out on a good day and it lit up, stuck in my quiver now.
Really enjoyed the review guys. I love my CI Rocket 9 and with the Futures twinnies plus small trailer it flies! I much prefer this fin set-up to when I ride it as a standard thruster and it seems to work just as well in bigger conditions. I've had fun surfs at around chest high on my rocket but I agree, it's not much fun in anything smaller.
btw CI is about to release the Rocket Wide, a version of the Rocket 9 for smaller waves. And I've heard the R9 grovels better with twin fins.
Cool, we'll keep an eye our for it...thanks for watching!
Love this review guys. Some good truths in here.
Cheers Bermcannon, always a pleasure - thanks for watching!
Cheers Bermcannon, always a pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Try twin + 1 trailer . Much faster and really fun
Good tip, thanks!
🚀
Can you do a video on how you do the paint on your boards?
Done mate, check it out: ruclips.net/video/-_TpxahIbkQ/видео.html - let us know what you think!
Would this board be a good step up for more of a HPSB that would compliment the Pod or would you recommend a different CI model? Trying to find a board that is HPSB similar to Pod family
Do you think this board works as a HPSB? Would it like headhigh to double overhead hollower waves?
I have a daily driver but am looking for something that can handle the bigger, heavier days
Can’t believe Benny is only on 38L!
Especially these days! Pushing 110kg's, probably could have gone a little bigger :)
I’m 6’1 110kg and my boards are now 40L+. 10-12kg ago they were 38L 😂
Big boys unite!
Im 6'1" - 84-85kg, boards 29-33L and I thought I heard Benny say he was 150?! Not possible, not even for a dad
Hmm, 115kg's Danny? I've cut down a bit :)
Not meaning to be rude but how much do you weigh ? I’m 53 and ride a stock 6 1 but I’d like to go smaller and I’m 5 10 and 90kg what’s your option ?
can you make a review on front traction pads compared to wax and if they're worth it ? cheers boys good vid
Don't know if it makes sense to do a whole spread on just a front foot but we'll call out the benefits on the next board we review with one!
I thought it was all hype and for hipsters .... I got one to try out as the wax on my board would always melt due to my black ute tonneau now I’ve had one on every board since I couldn’t go back to just wax on the front
I just tried one for the first time today. My stomach skin is sore to the touch
can you review about puddle jumper high performance by lost.?
Any chance you could take a look at the Goose from Panda?
Benny's R9 looks too big
This is a board I would hate... Go TOMO or don't go
Ha, I dig TOMO but variety is the spice of life!