BIC PERFORMER 11’6 TOUGH TEST REVIEW
BIC PERFORMER
11’6 TOUGH
TEST REVIEW.
Verdict
Bic have been working on mass market family boards for years and although the 11’6 Performer has been in their range for a while, it’s still very relevant and a great alternative to an inflatable for those wanting a bit more versatility. New for this year Bic have refined their ‘tough’ construction and have shaved a massive 2.7kg off its overall weight. Now looking at the Performer with fresh eyes it suddenly looks like a bit of a bargain, also with the bright new colours it looks far less of a rental board and more like something the whole family would enjoy. We enjoyed the 11’6 for it’s easy surfing, good glide and super robust construction, a great choice for a family all-rounder on a budget.
Overview
The Performer Tough now comes with bungee on deck, a smart new coloured polyethylene top, soft texture deck pad, towing eye on the nose and a good sized ledge handle. The three part new deck pad runs back to a single moulded in leash plug. Underneath, the 11’6 has a subtle convex shape running through the board, then FCS side boxes and a US box quick-release FCS plastic centre fin. Unlike many large boards the Bic has slim rails throughout and has a small seam joining the white bottom to the coloured deck plastic.
Brand Claim
If you’re looking for a board that’s equally at home surfing a wave as it is relaxing on the local lake, look no further than the Performer series. We’ve blended surf-inspired longboard outlines for solid wave performance with confidence-inspiring stability and a moderate rocker profile for versatility in flat-water conditions. Find the size that’s right for you and join the thousands of riders who’ve made the Performer series an international best-seller. The surf-inspired longboard shapes offer stable flat water cruising and wave surfing performance. Attachment points at the leash plug at tail plus two attachment points in front of standing area for securing gear. Embossed EVA deck pad is plush and comfortable while offering excellent traction. Moderate rocker profile to maintain glide in flat water while still performing in the surf zone, round thumb-tail shape for smooth rail transfers and pivot turns.
Performance
Aimed squarely at the budget end of the hard board market Bic’s Tough range in the past may have been over-looked as being more of a rental or school board since they were pretty heavy, and in our opinion a bit bland looking. However with the sharp new look and healthy weight saving I’m sure the new, lighter Performer Tough will make good inroads into the family market. The board we know well has great stability in this size , you could teach just about anyone to SUP on it and it’s gentle rocker and thin rails means it surfs easily, forgivingly and far better than you may expect. If you’re looking for a family board that will catch a few waves, drop a child/dog on the front and still bevery pleasant to cruise around on the flat then this budget friendly Bic would be a great choice. We loved the new sharp colours and the surf friendly package, if you’ve got the space to store a hard board this robust, friendly board could mean no more pumping up ever again. Also available in the more compact 10’6 and 9’2 size, the 11’6 would suit larger people and make a great first time board to catch a few longboard style waves on, great value too.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• Bic 11’6 Performer Tough
• Fanatic 8’5 ProWave LTD
• JP 8’1” Surf Pro Edition
• RRD I-Wave Pro V2 8’0
• Starboard Longboard 9’0 Pinetec