NAH-SKWELL FIT 12’ TEST REVIEW
NAH-SKWELL FIT 12’ TEST REVIEW
Verdict
The Fit series brings a huge amount of fun and practicality into all aspects of paddling. This 12’ extends the touring reach of the 11’ (which we love) and would make for a devastating surf / technical race board. Taller / bigger riders and instructors will love the effortless cruise and safe handling too.
Overview
At first you think, ‘oh, a tourer’. But once the Fit is out of the bag you see the ultra wide tail, which itself is lifted more than you’d expect, and the underside of the nose is in fact a double-concave design rather than a typical cutting bow; iintelligently original without being different for the sake of it. The deck grip is super comfy and looks good over the full wood laminate, with a deep comfortable carry handle and even a fishing rod insert.
Brand Claim
The Fit series boards help you discover the joy of paddling and achieve the fluid-stroke-feeling unique to this sport. With its displacement bow, the FIT glides without effort. It picks up speed in the swell and begins to surf at the first sign of undulation. The wide tail responds gently to foot pressure and allows easy manoeuvring in small waves.
Performance
We love the 11’ Fit, can the 12’ live up to it? The first session was on a buttery smooth river. Side by side with the 11 there’s an appreciable increase in glide as you’d expect, and improved tracking, especially if you sink the offside rail – the nose steers against the sideways push of the paddle and extended periods of paddling without switching are easily achievable. This, and its silky progress through water make it a comfortable load carrier for touring, or a practical fitness / club racing board. Like the 11’, the very raked back fin is excellent at not catching weed, and you have stacks of adjustment fore and aft for tuning.
The next session was in a decent run of swell at Fistral Beach. The Fit’s sure-footedness was so welcome scratching out through the churning keyhole channel and when punching out through white water. You’d have a real secret weapon on your hands if you entered a technical / surf race on the 12’. Catching waves feels natural; the tail lift helps you get the nose clear when surfing. This is definitely a big board to have in a proper surf zone but the stability and easy handling does a lot to reduce the stress factor, making it great for coastal downwinders. The 12’ Fit is big on the glide and range of longer boards, yet short on their complications. Highly recommended.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• RRD GRANTURISMO 12’6 GT WOOD
• STARBOARD TOURING 12’6 PINETEK