C O M PA R I S O N R E V I E W
Turning off the tail, the Aztec is excellent
and it redirects in the blink of an eye. In
small junky, conditions Loco’s 7.7ft is a real
winner, making the surf look (and feel)
better than it actually is. There’s an unusual
paddling position riders will need to get
used to – further towards the nose, but not
too far. A bit of time on flat water before
heading into waves might be a way to
achieve this. Once dialled in, however, the
Aztec fits like a glove.
Aztec 7.7ft
So, as we said at the start of this
comparison test, sometimes boards
appear a million miles away in terms of
shape and perceived performance. The
Aztec couldn’t be any more different than
the Amigo. A new shape for this season,
it’s Loco’s take on the parallel rail concept
surf design (or no nose board as we like to
call them) and looks very at odds sitting
next to the Amigo.
As a ‘naked’ board, the feel riders get from a
waxed deck is unrivalled and in terms of
being fulfilled post-session you can’t get a
more rewarding sensation.
And yet, there are similarities. Just as with
the Amigo, the Aztec, as with similar styled
surf SUPs, is really aimed at small to medium
sized waves and making the most of these
conditions. For sure, aptly skilled riders could
make them work in solid conditions but by
and large the Aztec should be able to milk the
surf for all its worth.
Where the differences lie is in the
type of turn you can achieve.
In comparison to the
Amigo, the Aztec flies
about all over the
place. It’s a slightly
flatter bottom
turn you’ll need
to employ but
speed back
up to the lip
is a given
and
bouncing
froth is
its
forte.
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Conclusion
So who’s this quiver for?
From a comparison point of view,
Loco’s Amigo 9.5ft and Aztec 7.7ft is a
true UK waterman package –
especially if you straddle windy wave
disciplines. Fancy a mellow small surf
sesh? Off you go with the Amigo.
Family fancy having a bash or
learning windSUP? Yep, it’ll be the
Amigo again. And what if the waves
should dial up slightly and/or you feel
like giving it some beans? No
problem, bust out the Aztec 7.7ft and
off you go. But wait, the wind’s come
up, but not enough for your fully
fledged windsurfing gear. Don’t
despair, stick your rig on the Amigo
and you’re good for it.
While the Amigo 9.5ft certainly works as
an intermediates progression platform,
the Aztec 7.7ft does require pre-requisite
paddle surfing fundamentals nailed
down. But at the same time you don’t
need to be a SUP World Tour Pro to eek
the most out of it.
Across both boards, manufacturing,
styling and fins are top drawer making
the pair an easy choice for a family
member who wants to rip across
different wave disciplines while having
toys available for family B, C and D to
also have fun when at the coast.
Both boards available in different sizes
for riders to match to ability, weight and
location
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