Kona One vs. Starboard Rio

I am an advanced beginner, 5'11 185 lbs (for those who haven't been
following), looking to lock-in harness-use, foot straps, power jibes,
and possibly (although not caring too much at this point) water
starts.

I am leaning (way leaning) towards the Rio (small) mostly because it
is smaller, and I have this feeling that it will be more performance-
oriented, while not being too difficult to learn what I want to learn.

I am interested in the Kona mostly because of all the people who keep
going gah gah over it and apparently it would be a fun board to have
(and useful for my purposes). That said, the damn thing looks and
sounds huge.

Thoughts and opinions and thanks in advance....

_Rob