BOARD: SUPER SOFT AND FUN TO RIDE
Just as Kevin Said, The slingshot boards land like a pillow every time, even when taking the board out into the flats. A huge majority of the people who have tried a slingshot board agree that they are by far the softest landing board (as I have seen here on wake world) The first time(s) i rode one i spent the majority of the time airing it out as big and as far as i could. I felt a lot braver due to the dampened impacts.
here's a quote from another thread (
http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/1/541513.html?1202227950) that you might feel home with, By Nick (bird_dog0347) on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 6:55 am:
I have ridden the shane (own one), Watson, natural, byerly, and slingshots (both). I have bad knees as well so I went through this same search last year. NOTHING is even comparable to the softness of a slingshot. Not even close. I still love my Shane, but man, if you have bad knees go with a slingshot. They also have killer pop so long as you edge correctly, but the landings are pillow soft. And with the new 08 boards, you can use any bindings you like. Even if you land hard in the flats, it will feel like going W2W.
It is true that it takes about 3 sets to get used to the board, but the journey getting there is just as fun as when you finally get it. I believe you will learn a lot from the board about your edging techniques. The board rewards you with extra rebounding pop when you cut in and load the flex of the board.
As for larger sizes... I am 6ft. tall and weigh about 165lbs and normally don't ride anything larger than 139cm. (NOTICE THAT I AM AT A BODY SIZE THAT FITS CLOSE TO THE 130's RANGE AND THE LARGER 140's) I was stuck demoing a 142 cm slingshot recoil on my second time demoing and found i liked it better. I felt like i was able to get more air. My personal theory is that the larger board gave more flex to play with and thus more rebound and more air. The boards are so Unbelievably light that i didn't notice the size difference. Normally larger boards feel so bulky. All-in-all, unless you are of a body wt. and size that fits between the two sizes, i might not consider it. for example: i wouldn't suggest a 140 lb 5'5" person to ride a 142
BOOTS:
I'm sure you already recognize that you have no other choice but to use slingshot boots on the '07 model of boards?
I personally think the inner ankle cuff is a great idea too. After getting used to the bindings it doesnt take much longer to put them on really.
I love the 2008 bindings and there is reason to consider upgrading to them besides the removable ankle support thing
#1. Added Poron Footbed (details about it here
http://www.rogerscorporation.com/hpf/CT/Poron-F/Footwear%20homepage.htm)
#2. snaps instead of clips to hold the dangling lace portion to the boot. The '07 clipps were not that good
#3. Overall the boot leess bulky and better materials and design
With all this said, I too still thought the '07 boots were AMAZING and some of the best bindings i have ever worn