I am a big guy. Low rider floats me well, allowing a full stroke with leaning forward to grab the water. Board accelerates well past an 84 square inch paddle. Even with this weight on the board, with limited balance, the board is an easy ride in light chop. In a squat, able to use sweep strokes to reverse direction and return down the beach in the direction from which I started. Pros Bow splits thru waves nicely, even cutting thru with part of the wave going over the bow. Light enough to easily load atop a full size SUV. Cons Usage Great fitness board. Approaching first three mile race. Touring over grass flats