Super Nova Review | Dagger Kayaks

[@AlexBarham]

Buying a SuperNova online? Please use this link: rb.gy/pv8h8k

[@kevinhill.8]

Great review! I just got my Nova two days ago and had it out once. Love boat, but I think foot space is overstated, at least for taller paddlers. I’m 6’ w size 10 shoes, and took out all but one (of 6) foam layers. Buddy w a Super is 6’2” w size 12s and had a hard time fitting. Seemed significantly less comfortable than my small Ozone (which I recognize is more of a 3/4 slice). Did a number on my big toe jamming it as I worked play moves. Maybe just need to get used to it. I also didn’t love how high the cockpit felt on my back when stern stalling. Ozone feels MUCH lower and out of the way. This really surprised me bc I’ve not heard it mentioned by anyone. All that said, I basically agree w your glowing review. When I stood it up on tail it felt way more stable than my Ozone, and it is super stable in a side surf. Also much more 1° stability vs Ozone, probably bc of a little additional width, and stays wider behind the hips. Really looking forward to spending more time in it and getting to know it better. Nice work Rowdy! Those tuxedos are always in the mix. 🐈‍⬛

[@AlexBarham]

I'm paddling these new North Face water shoes which are very thin. That may have had something to do with it. I think until there is an Ultra Nova that unfortunately people who are in the 6ft+ category are going to be cramped.

[@SouthernYak]

Ahh. It is good to see another JaNova Witness join the ranks! Nova is hands down, as you say in this great review, the BEST full slice ever made! Got mine the day they were first released and it’s an incredible boat. Sold my mixmaster after getting it and makes my Loki feel like a half slice! Great review Alex!

[@AlexBarham]

I was excited, but not prepared to be converted. It's a problem...

[@SouthernYak]

It’s truly a phenomenal boat. It is absolutely the best full slice to be had. Just pure river bliss paddling it!

[@johnsnell6315]

Excellent review! It is spot on.

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks John!

[@alanhancox1358]

Just sold my Medium Ozone, going for a Nova/Supernova for a more playable time on the river..at 5ft 8ins tall and just under 80kg..Im at the top end weight range of the Nova, and mid range for the Super Nova.. wondering which would be best for a playable river boat that won't sink ?(Nova), but also wont be too higher volume so that I cant do much playmoves in it? (super Nova)..wondering which would be the best option without being to demo one..Loved the old Wavesport XXX and thinking of the Nova to replicate those days?....any thoughts Alex!

[@AlexBarham]

I'd go Nova. Better to have that super sporty full slice and step into the half slice when you need it than have a full slice you can't toss around

[@alanhancox1358]

@@AlexBarham Got my Nova...fantastic boat..which I am comparing it to my old XXX's..obviously more comfortable etc, that you would expect for a modern boat..a comparison with the Nova verses the XXX would be good..as to me they seem very similar in volume, size and feel..

[@AlexBarham]

If you look at my initial review I did a historical review of the Super Nova to the Super Ego, Xxx, Ultrafuge, etc

[@alanhancox1358]

@@AlexBarham what are you're thoughts on the Dagger plastic, it's seems much softer than say Pyranha plastic...and those edges chew up easily??

[@AlexBarham]

I think the boat with the best outfitting has the best chance of lasting the longest. The plastic is mostly comparable aside from Zet being off the charts durable

[@dangerjudy5334]

Great, detailed review. Thanks Alex! Going to add a Nova to my quiver.

[@AlexBarham]

You got it Judy!

[@glengeddes7391]

Great review, thank you sir!!

[@AlexBarham]

Sure thing! Let me know if you have any questions

[@billpeabody6998]

Picking mine up this weekend, very stoked

[@AlexBarham]

Enjoy it!

[@joshhughes1319]

Curious to here your thoughts about the bow and playfulness? I have a SN and at 190 lb I haven’t been able to get it down in flat water. Probably partly my technique.

[@AlexBarham]

I can toss it around, but I've also been flatwater cartwheeling for a LONG time. At 190 the answer is definitely technique. You have more than enough mass to get it down.

[@stephenburden8947]

A lot of fun to hear your thoughts. I love full slices. I would love to hear what you think about Pyranha I:3 if you ever get your hands on. I take it creeking as often as I can due to the rocker and it’s also a lot of fun to play in. Thank you for the great content!

[@AlexBarham]

Sure thing! No plans on paddling one of those. They are just so uncomfortable lol

[@briankrueger1142]

Thanks for the review. Hoping to see some come Gauley Season.

[@AlexBarham]

That would be a great spot for one

[@acadieman1796]

Would this be a good boat to consider for a beginner?

[@AlexBarham]

I would start you in something else. These are really better for intermediate paddlers.

[@billyb3689]

Hey Alex, great content as usual. One thing that I note is people seem to see full slice now as low water splat type boats, but people (by no means all) are missing the fact that they are great big water boats. I am guilty of watching Play Daze by Ken Whitting one too many times, but I just feel these boats can do so much more (Stephen Wright is airscrewing the Mixmaster in that promo after all) . These boats can basically do everything other than the highest pop hole moves (they even loop ok) and nothing looks as good as a full slice on a big blunt!

[@AlexBarham]

They do, but given the choice I would rather be in my half slice or freestyle boat in big water. Maybe if there is a big green wave that is too fast or flat for my freestyle boat.

[@billyb3689]

@@AlexBarham Very true points, did you see Palm UK's video of the Super Nova on the Futa? It looks so good

[@AlexBarham]

Nope. The Super Nova was fun on the Ottawa, but it meant not getting to do much on Garb. Again, not a freestyle boat.

[@corypeterson8908]

Supper review!

[@AlexBarham]

Lol thanks

[@user-ut3mi8si8f]

Great review. Thank you. Wondering how the SN compares to Super Ego and Homeslice in terms of comfort for tall guys (35" + inseam, size 11). Picked up a SN and had to move the seat back with one foam layer. Toes are close to plastic bow insert. And the knees feel relatively low to me compared to the SE I paddled 20 years ago. Thinking about picking up a used SE that is on the market. Is it as comfortable as I remember it? Or do you think I should try to make the SN work? Thanks in advance for your comments.

[@AlexBarham]

I promise you your memory is fibbing

[@user-ut3mi8si8f]

@@AlexBarham Okay. Thanks much. I'm sure my hip joints were more mobile back in the day.

[@brentwade9346]

Looks like a nice complement to a river runner for playing up here on the Ottawa and enjoying smaller rivers. Was leaning towards a Rewind to complete a 2-boat quiver, but this might be a better option since I have a RMX96 on order.

[@AlexBarham]

If you're going to be on the Ottawa it makes much much more sense to have a real playboat. If you want one that can run rivers and also do freestyle try the Large Jed

[@brentwade9346]

@@AlexBarham I'm actually looking at a used SuperStar locally, but there are some great smaller brooks and creeks I can think of where this would be amazing. Thanks, Alex.

[@AlexBarham]

Right on! Good luck!

[@brentwade9346]

@@AlexBarham Looks like I just snagged a Project X 64 ;-)

[@AlexBarham]

Absolutely perfect! They are very very good for big water. They are big though so eventually you may want to think about a medium if you want to toss moves.

[@pschauerak]

How’s it compare to the Loki. Love my Loki, but wish it had a little more volume around the paddler. Have been happy to trade the missing cockpit volume for the Loki’s bow rocker. Does the Nova check both those boxes?

[@AlexBarham]

Yes, and quite nicely at that

[@aarnimustonen655]

Thanks for another amazing review! How does the boat compare with Mixmaster?

[@AlexBarham]

Fixes a lot of the big issues it had: flex, surfing, speed, capability on drops, comfort.

[@nikosikelianos4076]

Rowdy!!! That’s my boiiiiii

[@AlexBarham]

He was playing with the mic cable the entire time. Omg

[@theresahudson7084]

You mentioned people doing “cool art” on the white boats. If I were to do that, what medium could I use on it that won’t fall or rub off right away?

[@AlexBarham]

Sharpie followed by a heat gun to lock it in

[@theresahudson7084]

@@AlexBarham really?!! Definitely want to give it a try. Does you know if it degrades the plastic?

[@AlexBarham]

It'll be fine. If you mess up use acetone to erase it off again

[@jamieharr4459]

We have come a long way since taking salamander heaters to our dancers....lol

[@AlexBarham]

Give it time lol

[@ryanoleary7306]

How does it compare to the homeslice?

[@AlexBarham]

I find it surfs better, is more stable on end, and just feels more confident. The homeslice may have it in cartwheeling, but that will depend a lot on the paddler since it is only made in one size

[@ryanoleary7306]

@@AlexBarham Thanks! I love my homeslice but it's seen a lot of miles (and rocks) so a new full slice will be in my future soon.

[@RebeccaBaltich]

Excellent review.

[@AlexBarham]

Thank you!

[@erpruitt]

What’s your current weight & how spicy was the Nova? Great review!

[@AlexBarham]

210 lbs at 5'10"

[@erpruitt]

@@AlexBarham You think you’d prefer Nova if you were sub 190?

[@AlexBarham]

I think that tipping point is around 175

[@waveydavey]

@@AlexBarham ughhhh...OF COURSE I'm like 175 🙄

[@AlexBarham]

You'll be happy in a Nova

[@ObsidianMoonstone]

Rowdy!

[@AlexBarham]

That dude

[@frosch5801]

Alex, have you ever considered trying to design boats yourself?

[@AlexBarham]

Yes, but where would I find the time? I enjoy helping here and there though.

[@shamaanimattila]

Which is better at surfing slow green waves Nova or Antix 2.0?

[@AlexBarham]

Size will be a factor, but most people will have better luck in the Nova because they will be able to handle it better, even if it is slightly slower.

[@shamaanimattila]

@@AlexBarham Thank you for the reply. I had a chance to try small Antix 2 and was really surprised how good it was at surfing. Somehow it felt faster thanRPM and almost as playful as a playboat. I have no chance to test the Nova so was interested to hear your opinion.The Antix felt so easy that everything felt like cheating.

[@mr9246m]

Dagger uk needs to get a shifty on.

[@AlexBarham]

Like I said they will when they can. Whitewater is not paying the bills

[@ajseymour]

I tried to order, sorry preorder, one here locally (Northern Ireland) and was told not to expect to be able to actually order one till 2023

[@mr9246m]

@@AlexBarham its not paying the bills if you spend all that time testing and creating prototypes and then failing to put them to market. Pyranha have set the standard. They drop new model after new model and the next day its available to buy, correct me if I'm wrong but I believe their production is bang up to date. Dagger has had epic fail after epic fail, they still can't fix the code & rewind back log, yet the r&d team are racing ahead with new models like the nova and production are years behind. They have a fundamental problem which shows no sign of a timely resolution.

[@mr9246m]

@@AlexBarham but cheers for the tease, love your reviews, can't wait to hopefully to get mine next year💪

[@Axemanvan]

Yasssss daddy dropped a new review!!!

[@AlexBarham]

Yeahhhh life's been crazy

[@macfawlty]

With all the rave reviews, everyone wants one… where to find??

[@AlexBarham]

Mountainman has a few

[@fredsfurrypaws]

@@AlexBarham ship to Ireland?

[@AlexBarham]

Lol no sorry

[@fredsfurrypaws]

@@AlexBarham 🤣🤣🤣 great review, might consider changing my ozone 👍

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks!