Surf Guide Algarve Surfboard review Channel Islands Rook 15
To start, this might be one of the most sexy looking surfboards money can buy. Straightaway you notice the black outline, made famous by the famous ‘Black Beauty‘ model, Tom Curren his 1985 world title winning board. While the looks are a little similar, this is more a high performance board and the Black Beauty more a step-up. As the pro‘s advice, you can ride this board a few inches longer then your everyday board.
Usually I surf around 5‘8, the Rook comes in at 5‘11 so is perfect.
Instantly you can see and feel that this thing means business. Narrow, single concave and a fair bit of rocker.
In the water
Clearly this board is not designed as a everyday surfboard. Meaning, it needs a wave with a bit of push and some wall on it. Although I tested it in kind of head high surf I think it will do perfect in some chest high waves like Beliche or something. Most likely also Zavial on a day with some swell coming around the corner, or like I took it out in, on some cleaner powerful West-Coast surf.
Surprisingly enough it paddles really easy. It does not push water at all and it also glides into the wave very easy. Possibly due to the extra few inches but mainly just perfect placement of foam trough the board. To sum up this board works best on rail, in the pocket. Designed and used by absolute pro surfers and it really feels like taking out a hypercar for a spin.
Positive points
Otherwise steep/ late drops become a walk in the park, the confidence the board gives is incredible. Straightaway I realise I can push this thing way harder then my everyday stick. It really holds the rail. Easy paddle into the wave but also static paddling, glides trough the water.
On a steep wave it turns incredible.
Negative points
This board really needs to be surfed rail to rail, in the pocket. It does not really hold her speed in flatter sections or when you shy away from the pocket too much.
