Hi

After a 25-30 year hiatus from skating (bar one attempt six years ago resulting in cracked ribs ), I am looking to get my first longboard, mainly for cardio excercise. My plan is to alternate between street SUP for upper body workout and pumping for lower body (whether I can master both skills is a totally different question...) I plan to ride along the coast here in the northern Perth suburbs, which involves quite hilly terrain (by flat WA standards) and running on a mix of boardwalks and uneven road paving plus the awful concrete slab sidewalks.

Anyway, I just wonder what board characteristics to look for in regard to getting a good street SUP setup - based on your own experiences?

A good length seems to be in the 39-44" range (longer won't be practicle for me) and 9-10" width, but what about flex & shape?

Are high, medium or low flex decks preferred?

Is pintail or carving style boards recommended?

Should trucks be wider (eg. 180mm) or narrower (150mm)? I assue its a tradeoff between stability and desired carving radius?

Thanks
Magnus

Hi Magnus

You might want to check out this little FAQ :-

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Street-SUP/FAQs-about-the-land-paddle-aka-Big-Stick/

Thanks, I'd read the main topic but not seen the specifics on boards further down the reply chain.

So from what I gather, for me, weighing 80kg and given I'll have to do some hill skating, medium flex would prob be ok. Shape doesn't matter from a SUP perspective, as long as its wide enough in the middle is a want to stand SUP style. Truck width depends on y desire for quick turns while avoiding wheel-bite?

The only board in Aus I've seen which fits my $200 budget is the ZFlex longboard http://www.boardshop.com.au/servlet/the-5392/ZFLEX-Z-FLEX-CYAN/Detail . Has anyone tried this?

Otherwise I'm looking at Sector 9's or Surf Ones from the US.

That Z-Flex will be OK but will have cheap bearings. OK for a while though.
I have a Z-Flex JAy Adams, which is cool, but the bearings did not last long, and need replacing. They have to cut corneres somewhere to get to the price point.
I have a couple of Loaded boards which are the bees knees, but more than your budget.
There is a 55" Sector 9 which would be perfect. I don't know the designation, but I call it the Queen Mary.
They have 180mm trucks and a surprisingly small turning radius, very stable, and float for ages. Nice trucks and bearings, and OK wheels. I upgraded to 75mm Otang Durians, and needed a riser to avoid wheel bite. The stock 70mm wheels are probably fine. A little above your budget, but a top board.

Select to expand quote

magste said...

Thanks, I'd read the main topic but not seen the specifics on boards further down the reply chain.

So from what I gather, for me, weighing 80kg and given I'll have to do some hill skating, medium flex would prob be ok. Shape doesn't matter from a SUP perspective, as long as its wide enough in the middle is a want to stand SUP style. Truck width depends on y desire for quick turns while avoiding wheel-bite?

The only board in Aus I've seen which fits my $200 budget is the ZFlex longboard http://www.boardshop.com.au/servlet/the-5392/ZFLEX-Z-FLEX-CYAN/Detail . Has anyone tried this?

Otherwise I'm looking at Sector 9's or Surf Ones from the US.

I do it with a carveboard,and it works really well
only need to put tha tire pressure a little higher than for descents

Has anybody used an Original Longboard for street SUP? I've been thinking of getting an Apex 37 Carbon for a while because the trucks are meant to simulate surfing, and then I started reading about street SUP and wanted to check whether it was suitable or not.

I have considered getting a carveboard/streetboardz but they seem to be limited in versatility. I want something that I can use commuting if need be.

This the board in question: http://www.originalskateboards.com/longboards/2011_apex_37

I use Original S-10's. They are great and feel better then the Seismics.

Hi guys good flex seems to feel better when riding and if you want the wider trucks (180 )but stil smaller turning put your truck closer together like on the holesome ,loaded tanten or the shorter kahuna boards myself like bigger wheels too (orangatangs or abec 11)
Have fun George