BIC 11’6 PERFORMER ACE TEC
BIC 11’6 PERFORMER ACE TEC TEST REVIEW
Verdict:
A true all rounder from Bic for their bigger riders. The super tough construction is surprisingly light and should give many years of service. Nice thin surf orientated rails in the tail give a safe, comfortable feel in the surf and it has plenty of glide too. A great value all rounder from Bic for the heavier rider that has performance to match.
Overview:
Bic’s unique thin plastic skinned SUP’s have been a safe bet with schools and hire centres globally and their Ace Tec higher spec construction is surprisingly light. This 11’6 Performer has the usual thin plastic seam on the edge, plastic finish, but has a comfortable ledge handle, multi piece deckpad and tie down plugs on deck. The board has a fairly flat rocker line, wide nose and tri fin set up – it only comes with a single fin though. On the bottom the board is pretty flat running into a shallow concave with bevelled edge and finally into a shallow vee in the tail, all pretty safe stuff that works.
Brand Claim:
The 11’6’’ ACE-TEC is ideal for novice riders up to 120kg and will perform in the surf zone for more advanced paddlers up to 140kg. Its substantial volume and width offer excellent lateral stability without compromising performance. The 11’6’’ is also a great choice for families looking to bring along the kids or pets.
Performance:
The 11’6 Performer is a very safe bet for an all round big board, it has a stable feel but with thinner rails than you’d expect from such a voluminous board. In our glide test it was only beaten by the slimmer RRD, so it’s great for touring about on or doing a spot of fishing too. On the waves it has a slight judder as it crashes back out through the surf but this doesn’t seem to effect it in any other way. With its fairly flat tail rocker and wide tail it picks up waves early but doesn’t like them too steep to drop into. Once on the rail it surfs smoothly and predictably giving the rider a super easy surfing experience. Ideal for larger riders wanting a true all rounder that’s spritely on the flat , forgiving in the waves and tough enough to loan to your brother-in-law with his kids when he comes down to see you. If you’re after a durable board that surfs easily then the Bic 11’6 must be the main contender.