I got an 8'0" after surveilling the board sitting in the back rack for years. I guess because it was on the smaller size for a gun not a lot of people wanted it. I surfed it at my local "big wave" where it is often shifty and large distances are required to cover when things start building over 8-10'. I caught more waves than I have ever had prior. The board surfs very well and the extra weight really helped steady her on not so perfect entries and at high speeds. If you get a rounder steeper wall with high volumes of water moving faster up the face this board handles like a smaller board, and I was able to snap and change directions much more easily than I thought before when I was holding it and paddling on it. I was skeptical of how it would perform prior to surfing it in bigger conditions, it's my first gun and I am very happy to say that it was very easy to surf coming off a regular short board. I already am shopping for another full size gun of the same model. Also, because of the increased wave count and paddilling capability compared to my normal boards I really was surprised how fast I got tired in two hours. From a work out equipment standpoint, this thing will certainly get you worked out, something I hadn't really considered. Take it out when things are crowded, get in early and stay late!