Congrats to Obrien Top 3 in Alliance Board Test
 

We just got the new alliance magazine and it has the 2012 Board Test. they tested 3 boards from every manufacture. i was really suprised to see that every single test rider listed the Obrien Paradigm as one of their top 3 boards.
Obrien has always kinda been like moomba. since its not considered a "cool" brand most folks never give them a look/chance(guilty myself), but they seem to be making great products/advances especially in the last few years.
any way just thought it was suprising and cool to see the obrien (paradigm) picked as a top 3. i may have to give it a look.

http://www.wakeworld.com/products/im...ducts/6384.jpg

http://www.bartswatersports.com/imag...age-107286.jpg

I agree! I've been able to convert many people to Obrien over the years.They make great product that is second to none.

Top 3??? How bout top1
 

Hands down the best shape I've ever ridden.

Hell ya! I don't ride O'brien, but I've tried the Paradigm and it kicks ass. Also, those Nomad bindings at the bottom of that picture are most comfortable bindings I've ever put my feet into.

After riding a bunch of different brands for the past years, I think I will find myself on an O'brien board in the next few seasons. Love their shapes & a great company to boot.

Sounds like a demo is in order.

And now you can win one in our new Rider Video contest: http://www.wakeworld.com/news/featur...o-contest.html

last year it tested well too

I was on the Paradigm last year, and as you know a long time O'brien rider. I must say that the Paradigm is the most fun I have had on a wakeboard in years. It really doesnt shock me to see it in the top 3! In fact I would say its ABOUT TIME! I am going to ride it again this season, if anyone is around MN and wants to take the board out for a spin I have it in two different sizes, I know your going to love it! What Chris Johnson is doing with shapes, felx, materials is amazing. Many more good thinks to come in the future out of the O'brien Camp.

I have been riding O'Brien boards for years and have converted so many people over to them.

They may not be the flashiest company, not in your face in all the mags, nor do they have a huge team.

But all I can say is if you get the chance to ride an O'Brien board then jump on it.

You just might find yourself a bit surprised and maybe even a new ride!

Chris Johnson is killing it with his shapes so check em out.

now for a decent art director

Love my O'brien boards! About time to see them get some well deserved credit.

I thnk Jordan does good work!

I've been on a Decade for the past 2.5 seasons, I know you use to ride it and recommend it pretty strongly. The Decade has been by far my favorite board I've been on, its consistency and speed being a 3-stage board is amazing. Is the Paradigm an improvement? How different does it ride, never been on a flex board so I have no idea what to expect there really.

Agreed. O'brien boards look like ****.

Forrest,

If you like the Decade you really need to check out the Format. I rode the Decade for 3 years and then hopped on the Format and I was blown away!

The Paradigm is a very different riding board then the Decade, it's a flex board with no features on the bottom. Like Andy says, it will make you learn how to edge correctly and you better stomp your landings. It was very slick for me, super fun to ride though.

I am an older guy and the landings were to hard for me as well. The Format has a V bottom so the landings are nice and soft.

If you ride a board because of the way it looks, you are riding it for the wrong reason.

With regards to graphics, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so to each their own. Personally, I like how clean the graphics on Obrien boards are.

In the end, graphics don't affect my choice in what board I ride. I completely base my decisions on the board characteristics and if it suits my style of riding.

Ya, we went over this in the last O'brien thread. I totally agree.

iv been riding my obrien gear since 2004 when i first started riding!
OBRIEN has always had super solid product, and i am very glad that its starting to get recognized.
Chris Johson has some mad board shaping skills and i wouldnt be surprised if obrien eventually bacame to top company!

OBRIEN DEFINITELY HAS THE BEST PRODUCT IN MY OPINION

Clean graphics are always a plus.