I know there are a few guys here who are digging this model. SITD winner and all that. I've had mine for a few weeks now. Maybe 10 sessions on it. First few times I rode it the waves were either huge or tiny and it was hard to get a read on it. Last few sessions the waves were fun sized and I've really been digging the board. It feels like a very balanced thruster. At first I thought it didn't really have anything remarkable going on but after playing with fins and just getting used to the board I've had some really good sessions on it. The board catches waves pretty well, carries good speed over flat sections. Really easy to get vertical but also has good hold on rail through open face turns.
Compared to one of my most recent favorites, the Pyzel Shadow, the Driver feels like it wants more back foot pressure to come alive. If I try to push hard and drive off the front foot like I do on the Shadow it is more likely to bog as if the forward rocker is plowing water. My Shadow is an inch shorter but it catches waves as well or better than the Driver and I think has slightly more directional, stiff feel. The Driver has just a little more of a free and easy ride, especially when driven off the back foot. Despite being an inch longer it feels like it does better in small and weaker waves, there is just a bit more squirt when pumping for speed in sub par surf. At first I thought I'd possibly gone too long with the driver. At 6'4" it's an inch over my height. After getting used to it I'm glad for the length and while I definitely could have gone with my normal 6'3" I don't think this design minds being ridden a little longer. The nose is fairly moderate/narrow by today's standards and while there is foam pushed up under the chest it thins out pretty well in the very tip.
That's actually my only real nitpick of the board is that classic Mayhem flippy, chipped out tip. It's so pointy and thin and delicate I feel like I'm going to bust it off and aesthetically it does not bring me joy. The outline, foil and overall package is good and handsome to look at, it's just that tip that I don't love.
I will have more thoughts on this board as I (hopefully) get some more sessions on it soon. I also have a newish Patterson IF15 round tail I've been riding and it's been kind of an interesting contrast going back and forth between those two.
AM2 honeycomb felt a little stiff in the driver, DHD L feel great. Might try a more upright template at some point but probably going to stick with the DHD's for a bit.
I'm 6'3" x 180 + 5/4 hooded suit, booties, etc.
Lost Driver 2.0, XTR 8.C, 6'4" x 19 3/8" x 2 9/16" 32.5L From memory I think the nose is 12" and tail is 14 9/16" but I'm not 100% on that and I'm too lazy to check right now.
Compared to one of my most recent favorites, the Pyzel Shadow, the Driver feels like it wants more back foot pressure to come alive. If I try to push hard and drive off the front foot like I do on the Shadow it is more likely to bog as if the forward rocker is plowing water. My Shadow is an inch shorter but it catches waves as well or better than the Driver and I think has slightly more directional, stiff feel. The Driver has just a little more of a free and easy ride, especially when driven off the back foot. Despite being an inch longer it feels like it does better in small and weaker waves, there is just a bit more squirt when pumping for speed in sub par surf. At first I thought I'd possibly gone too long with the driver. At 6'4" it's an inch over my height. After getting used to it I'm glad for the length and while I definitely could have gone with my normal 6'3" I don't think this design minds being ridden a little longer. The nose is fairly moderate/narrow by today's standards and while there is foam pushed up under the chest it thins out pretty well in the very tip.
That's actually my only real nitpick of the board is that classic Mayhem flippy, chipped out tip. It's so pointy and thin and delicate I feel like I'm going to bust it off and aesthetically it does not bring me joy. The outline, foil and overall package is good and handsome to look at, it's just that tip that I don't love.
I will have more thoughts on this board as I (hopefully) get some more sessions on it soon. I also have a newish Patterson IF15 round tail I've been riding and it's been kind of an interesting contrast going back and forth between those two.
AM2 honeycomb felt a little stiff in the driver, DHD L feel great. Might try a more upright template at some point but probably going to stick with the DHD's for a bit.
I'm 6'3" x 180 + 5/4 hooded suit, booties, etc.
Lost Driver 2.0, XTR 8.C, 6'4" x 19 3/8" x 2 9/16" 32.5L From memory I think the nose is 12" and tail is 14 9/16" but I'm not 100% on that and I'm too lazy to check right now.