Just looking for some info from parents with kids doing nippers.

I've got a kid who is just getting into boards and need to get a 10'6 racing mal. They're not a cheap it of kit so want to get a good price but still a decent board. Around my way I reckon 80% of the nippers boards I see on the beach are Kracka which are just about double the price of a Bennet board.

For a non elite paddler is there really that much in it, or is it a case of kids/parents just wanting what other people have?

Cheers!

My son does nippers but does not need a 10'6 mal at the moment. I train and race the 10'6 racing mals. My suggestion would be surely the club has boards, our club does. They are too expensive to buy for what they are. I would recommend, if you can, just using club boards. If you child is super keen and wants to train in their own time, you could buy a cheaper older board and train on that, but on race day use a club board. That's what I do, my board is 18 years old and $150, but it gets me out and training. In a race situation I'd probably use a club board.

Even the small foam nipper boards are about $500

Pricey, considering how basic and easily damaged they are

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PaddlePig said..
My son does nippers but does not need a 10'6 mal at the moment. I train and race the 10'6 racing mals. My suggestion would be surely the club has boards, our club does. They are too expensive to buy for what they are. I would recommend, if you can, just using club boards. If you child is super keen and wants to train in their own time, you could buy a cheaper older board and train on that, but on race day use a club board. That's what I do, my board is 18 years old and $150, but it gets me out and training. In a race situation I'd probably use a club board.

The club we belong to is in a pretty wealthy area so have lots of kids sporting brand new $2600 boards!!

I've actually found a rough as guts old cheapy. It's too high volume board for her but will do until I can find a good used one. I don't mind buying one as it will get used by a younger one in 5 years.

I just wonder why such a big difference in price, a new Kracker is about $2600 and a Bennett is $1400

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PaddlePig said..
My son does nippers but does not need a 10'6 mal at the moment. I train and race the 10'6 racing mals. My suggestion would be surely the club has boards, our club does. They are too expensive to buy for what they are. I would recommend, if you can, just using club boards. If you child is super keen and wants to train in their own time, you could buy a cheaper older board and train on that, but on race day use a club board. That's what I do, my board is 18 years old and $150, but it gets me out and training. In a race situation I'd probably use a club board.

If it is any constellation, my son does nippers and is one of the better paddlers of his age group, but like you, I got him a beaten up Dolphin that is way beyond his weight range, and repaired it. That said, it allows him to come out onto the river and paddle with me. He is a good paddler because of his effort and training, not because of the board he may or may not have. On race day he uses a club board.

Likewise, at club training, not trying to sound arrogant, but I would need other paddle my pig or a club Bennett... and it is like how long is a piece of string,I'm faster than some and slower than others. The best paddlers are ones who put effort into training and time on the board.

i realise I have not answered your question. From what I see when I paddle, the Dolphins are lighter and less volume compared to the weight range they support. That means they can be less thick and therefore get the paddler closer to the water, allowing them a lower center of gravity and a greater ability to lock onto the catch by burying their arms deeper. the best analogy I can think of is road bikes, many small things add up to performance edge, but if average joe jumps on a full carbon they're not going to beat a hardened cyclist on a lesser bike.

think of it not as an obstacle but an opportunity. I come from distance running as a sport and I loved running in Kmart clothes and beaten up Jim Kidd shoes, I couldn't afford the gear, nd held my own. Seeing Nike Vaporflies was like red rag to a bull, the mongrel in the athlete would come out and strive.

There's nothing wrong with the bennett boards, well built and good price.

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KelpoS said..

PaddlePig said..
My son does nippers but does not need a 10'6 mal at the moment. I train and race the 10'6 racing mals. My suggestion would be surely the club has boards, our club does. They are too expensive to buy for what they are. I would recommend, if you can, just using club boards. If you child is super keen and wants to train in their own time, you could buy a cheaper older board and train on that, but on race day use a club board. That's what I do, my board is 18 years old and $150, but it gets me out and training. In a race situation I'd probably use a club board.

The club we belong to is in a pretty wealthy area so have lots of kids sporting brand new $2600 boards!!

I've actually found a rough as guts old cheapy. It's too high volume board for her but will do until I can find a good used one. I don't mind buying one as it will get used by a younger one in 5 years.

I just wonder why such a big difference in price, a new Kracker is about $2600 and a Bennett is $1400

PaddlePig said..
My son does nippers but does not need a 10'6 mal at the moment. I train and race the 10'6 racing mals. My suggestion would be surely the club has boards, our club does. They are too expensive to buy for what they are. I would recommend, if you can, just using club boards. If you child is super keen and wants to train in their own time, you could buy a cheaper older board and train on that, but on race day use a club board. That's what I do, my board is 18 years old and $150, but it gets me out and training. In a race situation I'd probably use a club board.

Some good thoughts.

I reckon at an elite level, 3/4 of a bees fart makes a difference. A 13 year old switching from sand to paddling, not so much :)

I reckon I'll let her keep going with the beat up old board and pick her up a decent 2nd handy when one comes up :)