# Portal Enigma review
**URL:** https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313
**Category:** Uncategorized
**Created:** [May 4, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313 "2024-05-04T00:57:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@KaiDoggy](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/KaiDoggy)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2024, 12:57am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/1 "2024-05-04T00:57:40Z")
Just a quick shout in case y’all are wondering about these things. All boards look sick when the pros are riding them but I’m just an average 39 year old dude with an average skill set; so here it is…
My first impression of the board was winging the 5’6” 55 liters. It didn’t knock my socks off, but it did the job well. I’m about 160 or so lbs so it was challenging to find the sweet spot for my knees to stay when starting. I will say it was easier to start than my 30L board, especially when the wind dropped. Ultimately I think a dozen sessions on the wing and I’ll have it dialed in better. It felt great when up and flying and the width was great for switching feet.
This thing sings in the surf! I took it out on a small, offshore day that would have been tricky with the little board. Right away I noticed I could catch anything I wanted within reason. It truly felt like paddling a funshape. I was getting into waves early enough that I didn’t worry about sticking the foil in the sand. Pumping was hardly hindered. I was stoked that I could sneak in early and still pump around for 5 waves. The first session I noticed I was drawing more log/funshape style lines. It felt like riding a high pro log at a big point break; felt killer. The second session I had a better feel for it and was able to throw it around a bit more. By the third session I was totally hooked on it! This board surfs like a dream and is a pleasure to wing, just like Erik and Mike said. Those guys were great to deal with too.
I doubt these bigger boards are for everyone, or all conditions, but they’re a lot of damn fun! Thanks Erik and Mike!
Hopefully y’all got a laugh out of “funshape”. That’s what they were called, a long time ago.
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### Author:  [@beepityboppityboop](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/beepityboppityboop)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2024, 5:40am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/2 "2024-05-04T05:40:07Z")
Mind posting some pictures? There are barely any pictures of the boards online besides some far away shots and videos on their site of people riding them. Would like to see some close ups
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### Author:  [@foilnews](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/foilnews)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2024, 10:37pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/3 "2024-05-04T22:37:19Z")
Eagerly awaiting mine, on its way to me any day … @Erik : )?
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### Author:  [@Erik](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Erik)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2024, 10:56pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/4 "2024-05-04T22:56:05Z")
Probably 2 weeks to shipping! Only a few before yours.
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### Author:  [@TexasFoilFroth](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/TexasFoilFroth)
#### Post date: [May 4, 2024, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/5 "2024-05-04T23:57:58Z")
I have had the 5-6 55L for a couple of months. But finally started riding it about a month ago. Honestly, it’s all I pull out of my truck now. Also own an awesome Portal 4-5-36L. The bigger board is just so easy to paddle and catch waves I just can’t put it down. And finally
winged with it yesterday. May be an even better wingboard. I weigh 205. Can just duck dive the 5-6 which makes it really nice…
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### Author:  [@FLfrother904](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FLfrother904)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2024, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/6 "2024-05-06T01:17:03Z")
Just got mine last week had 3 fun sessions on it !! I find it rides much better with the mast slammed to the front of the box. Tried it in the middle first few sessions and pumping was tough now its all the way forward i am really enjoying it. Being able to get in earlier and draw lines like i am surfing is awesome and the paddle is a breeze catching tons of waves. When i switch back to my smaller board pumping is super easy. Overall its been alot of fun and the hype is real
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### Author:  [@fatfish](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/fatfish)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2024, 10:58pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/7 "2024-05-06T22:58:57Z")
How does that pulled in tail handle white water takeoffs?
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### Author:  [@KaiDoggy](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/KaiDoggy)
#### Post date: [May 6, 2024, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/8 "2024-05-06T23:48:53Z")
I have only had mine out in stomach high or less conditions so I can’t report on that. With the extra paddle power, whitewater takeoffs may not be necessary.
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### Author:  [@Bido11561](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Bido11561)
#### Post date: [May 8, 2024, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/9 "2024-05-08T12:30:35Z")
Waiting on mine also! Amped on that review. Pumped to get it out prone
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### Author:  [@GregH](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/GregH)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2024, 1:29am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/10 "2024-05-09T01:29:16Z")
Good to hear your digging it. I’m looking at probably another month until I make some sort of decision. Either a portal or the new armie mid length. Similar sizing but a bit narrower. The 55 liter is 18 wide compared to 20 on the portal. Probably makes a difference when wing taxiing but not issue when paddling.
Find yourself able to get up on some unbroken waves?
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### Author:  [@gomotomoto](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/gomotomoto)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 5:01pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/12 "2024-05-10T17:01:52Z")
It’s the Swiss Army knife of foil boards. Loving mine.
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### Author:  [@beepityboppityboop](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/beepityboppityboop)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/13 "2024-05-10T17:33:58Z")
I dont think these uploads worked
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### Author:  [@KaiDoggy](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/KaiDoggy)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 5:58pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/14 "2024-05-10T17:58:23Z")
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### Author:  [@TooMuchEpoxy](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/TooMuchEpoxy)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2024, 8:24pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/15 "2024-05-10T20:24:09Z")
Man, that thing is ugly as sin! Based on my experience that means it shreds!!! 🔥
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### Author:  [@foilnews](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/foilnews)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2024, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/16 "2024-05-11T22:02:44Z")
> [@Erik](#):
>
> Probably 2 weeks to shipping! Only a few before yours.
Happy to report it arrived early, well boxed and padded.
@Erik Do you have a deck pad recommendation?
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### Author:  [@Erik](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Erik)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/17 "2024-05-11T22:20:02Z")
I love octopus pads for feel. Mike has been putting the mystic cull deck pad on his enigmas. Stoked you got it!!! I have a proto 5.2 coming in a couple days with a comp light glass job. Can’t wait to feel it!!!
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### Author:  [@foilnews](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/foilnews)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2024, 10:31pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/18 "2024-05-11T22:31:19Z")
> [@Erik](#):
>
> I love octopus pads for feel.
Wow…we really are talking peak consumerism when there are 29 options … from a single brand : )
> **[Octopus Surf Grip | Traction Pads](https://octopusisreal.com/collections/grip-accessories)**
>
> Browse a large range of high quality grip accessories for surfboards from Octopus. Shop now!
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### Author:  [@FLfrother904](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FLfrother904)
#### Post date: [May 13, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/19 "2024-05-13T15:56:54Z")
Your box looks way more forward than mine ! i have a Gen 1 model. I ride mine slammed forward yours is prolly more back
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### Author:  [@Bido11561](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Bido11561)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2024, 8:06pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/20 "2024-06-02T20:06:56Z")
Frankenstein pad job
No vent on mine… @Erik
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### Author:  [@Erik](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Erik)
#### Post date: [June 2, 2024, 11:21pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/portal-enigma-review/5313/22 "2024-06-02T23:21:44Z")
We’ve stopped doing vents. There’s really no reason if they’re light colored and we don’t trust them. For sups, 100%.
Can’t wait till you get some sessions!
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