They seem pretty tough to me.They look fun. Kinda thought they were good tough potential travel boards but met a guy on a recent surf trip who had one and said it dinged easier than he thought and seemed to suck in water fast when they happened..
Weird considering your friends situation.
You guys with these getting little dings and water sucking in ala surftech?
I don't think they surf as nice as a Varial but they are pretty good for EPS. Enough weight to limit the chatter but still not as damp as Varial or PU.
They are still EPS so they will suck water if they get dinged.