The First Surfboard i had from them was the 5'8 Wide and i have to tell you it was just something else.. Stable, Rode upwind like a dream was great with Straps and Strapless, and to top it all off the Top and Bottom Turns it produced were like something of the ASP tour. This board made you feel special, also for the fact i was probably the only guy on the beach with one. So it also Turned heads.
Just to Refresh your Memory this is what it looked like, Shaped by Jimmy Lewis.
Then the time came to sell this Gem of a board on, Which maybe i should not have done, as i only realized how special this board was after it left my hands, and i had to take a different stick on the water.
I have tried so many surfboards over the course of the year leading up to the release of the New Gambler / Passport and Mangum. and really found nothing that comes close
So when the Guys came from Wainman hawaii in July to see us here at Hydr8boardsports and they pulled out the new Gambler my eyes lit up and i melted.!! 5"10x 20 wide Quad, Thruster, and 5 Fin configuration!! i need to get myself one of those, also a great Color Scheme...
I was then told by the guys at Wainman Hawaii that there would a bit of a wait. to get my hands on one.
I know that here at hydr8boardsports we were the first to get these boards in the UK...
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This is what Wainman Hawaii say about the Gambler
The Wainman Hawaii Gambler is a totally new and very modern, progressive shape, referring to our last year Wide model, however it is light years ahead of it. This shape was designed for everyday fun in all conditions ridden 4-5 inches shorter than your average classic board. With less length and more width this board is made for progressive and more floaty radical surfing even when the waves are not that great. Because of the 3D bottom shape, special channels in it and good amount of the rocker. This board is still very fast which means it is stable in higher speeds despite being apparently wider which is its advantage for the bottom end conditions both in the wave and wind aspect. This extra width gives this board quicker surf planing and catches more of the wave to surf it. The Gambler provides the fun factor in smaller onshore waves, however in nice side-shore bigger waves, it rocks as well because of its smart rocker. This board is like 2 in one: it can make a session in a smaller shorter onshore wave a blast and it also can serve you well in a very big side shore waves with strong wind and high speeds - because of the generous amount of rocker. The bottom shape goes from double under your front foot to single off the tail. And that makes turns really nice despite the wider width. Despite its name Gambler, it is a very safe shape as it provides lots of fun in both: crappier conditions when its special dimensions help to squeeze out surf time and in the epic days when the great hydrodynamics and proportions don't make you suffer that you ride a little fat boy. However as you can rip in those versatile conditions, you will go for it more often and the chances that you will be wet are getting higher! For sure a fun all-round board with lots of potential for flat waters as well.
In the Last Month the Uk has given me the Perfect conditions to test the Wainman Hawaii Gambler from well over head high surf with my 7m Gypsy to 2ft Wind chop on my 9m Smoke this board does what it says on the Tin..
My First decent session was at Sandbanks after a very heavy Storm, the wind was side shore from the Right, Not my Favourite Tack as its my Back Hand, but a great chance to hit some welll over head Hig sets on the Gambler.
5"10 i was riding it in the Quad fin strapped Set up, as i wanted the extra drive to keep getting back upwind to be able to Hit the sections. i wanted to ride.
First off the Quad Fin Set up works super well, the Drive of the Fins is perfect, coupled with the Extra width it made the board so stable, I think that anyone could jump on this Directional and have a blast, you dont get any of that Nose High action if the Back foot is too far back, which is something Newbies find an issue with when jumping on Directionals for the First time. The Wide Flat Deck is also a pleasure as Wainman Hawaii have really thought out the Deck grip, positioning, when you buy the Gambler you get a selection of deck pads i actually put them all on. I really hate Wax as i cant be bothered to keep applying it every session, it seems to become very slippy as your using you feet far more than you would if you were surfing. There is nothing more Frustrating than have great waves to ride and realizing your wax is no good!..
Back to the Ride, Smooth in the Wind chop aswell, the board just glides over it, there seems to be the perfect balance of Weight and Flex in the board, some EPS style Surfboards can be either 2 lite and soft, or too stiff, Sean Ordonez has got this dialed in..
Picking up swell, as soon as the Gambler Finds a Wave its away, the board just picks up speed, excaclty how you would expect a Surf board to when paddaling into a wave. again this is done to the Rocker and bottom shape, and also that extra Drive from the Fins. This is something i really loved as too many Kitesurf boards relie on the kites power to drive the board on to the wave face, this allows you to really park the kite and concentrate on throwing your top and bottom turns.
With the Quad fin setup i was supprised how tight i could get my top and bottom turns, i was expecting far bigger arching turns but the fins just let the board Pivot which was great news..
it basically turned like a Tr-Fin.. but with all the added extras of a Quad.
I have not tried it in the Tri-Fiin configuration as yet but will do when i head to Barbados.. in January. Stay Tuned for Go Pro action shots..
All in all i think the Gambler is going to be the Finest 5"10 on the Market, its a Credit the Wainman Hawaii Team as they really do put there time and effort into getting there Products right before releasing onto the Market.
There is No bullshit Marketing Hype, So many Brands think that By Marking your Surfboard Look Nice, (by giving it a wood Finish) that it will ride good..
Just come try the boards and you will be Dazzled, if you can find i better board on the Market than the Gambler please post your reviews.
Just a little Video here to keep your appetite wet for the Wainman Gambler..
Bertrand Fleury - Indonesia 2010 from WainmanHawaii on Vimeo.
Gambler 5"10 with Go pro HD..
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