I'm looking at purchasing a new board in the coming weeks, so will be shopping around/demo'ing a few different types. I'm after a board for BOP style races when they go ahead in Perth and the occasional downwind run or open water race if all goes to plan, at the moment my enthusiasm out weighs my experience but thats what I'm hoping to improve on.

My question is would I be better off looking at 12'6 or 14' models. After going through a few threads I've noticed the classes of board sizes for races, etc so I dont want to get something too big if I wont be allowed to compete, but not sure if there would be a noticeable difference in stability in a 12'6 compared to a 14'. Everyone seems to be shying away from the more larger boards and heading towards the 12'6 option from what I've read.

Shopping for SUP's seems hard work in Perth, maybe I'm looking in the wrong areas

IMO.. I reckon go for one of the new 12'6" BOP style boards..

But using it on a down-winder will be like taking a BMX bike on a Mt bike ride.. Do'able but NQR.

DJ

BOP in Perth FFS we struggle to get a couple blokes doing a dw run

If you want to do dw get a 16 or 17 if heavy, lighter guys get away with a 14.

Yeah BOP in Perth is wishful thinking, dare to dream I spose.

I'm a light weight it seems after hearing others weights on here, I come in at 85kg's 6' tall. So 14' maybe ok.

Like I mentioned earlier Hilly, when I get a board sorted then add me to the list for a DW run. any ideas on who to go through for boards?

Hi guys,

I have made a promise to bring BOP style racing and training to Perth (at least in the North). This will begin in a few weeks, please have faith and be patient, I have much to do and am working flat out to make it all it can be. Our new website goes online in a few days as we start to get geared up for the season and put up dates etc.

BOP racing seems to give preference to 12'6" class, so I'm guessing if you want to start competing in the future, that is the class to go for. For sure, 14' boards will be better for DW. I used the Fanatic 12'6" x 30.5 in the Goldie races and found it was fast enough if only the engine driving had a bit more poke

One of the things I learned from BOP racing is that the ability to stay on the board and complete a race without falling, far outweighs any gains you may get from additional speed by paddling a 12'6" x 27.75". The BOP style racing will not necessarily be won by the fastest board.

BOP racing requires lots of other skills as well as straight line speed. Fast, clean starts, efficient kick turning around markers whilst under pressure from close quartered competitors, making turns on the inside whilst riding a wave with several others, handling your board in and out of the water, good fitness etc makes the racing fair, challenging and exciting.

I reckon at 85kg, you may find the more narrow boards a tad tippy, I know at 90 kg I found them hard to stay on which is why I have chosen a 12'6" x 30.5 carbon race. I weigh 90kg and am 6'3".

From next weekend you'll have a bit more of a choice in brands and models to choose from in Perth so no need to jump in and make a rash decision.

Just because things haven't happened in Perth up until now, doesn't mean it's going to be like that into the future

DM

I have no doubt at all that events will go ahead in Perth at some stage, but like Hilly said getting crew to turn up would be the main problem I think.
But I fully support you guys trying to get something up and running and I for one am interested. I'd even stick around and help set up/pack up if you needed extra hands.

You make a good point about board size. When you say theres more boards to choose from next weekend, I take it you mean you guys are getting more boards in? If so can I ask what models?

Hi Chopz,

Well mate, if you and I both turn up, we only need one more for a race and I know a bunch of my kite customers are keen to give it a go, I think you might be pleasantly surprised by how many we get. Even with only half a dozen it will be great fun. Emphasis will be on participating and having fun over winning.

As most are aware we are bringing over Fanatic boards, some may also know we are doing Surftech. I have a strong interest in Fitness and race so we will be well represented in those style of boards. We wont have everything here by next weekend but hopefully by the weekend after that we should have most stuff in.

I've ordered Fanatic 12'6" x 30.5" wood and carbon models, 14' x 28" Fanatic Wood race and 12'6" x 27.75" carbon race as well as all sizes of Fly boards and All wave boards.

From Surftech, for race I'm looking at the Bark 12'6" x 29" Competitor and possibly the 14' Dominator. If there's enough interest, I'd be also keen on having a look at the Lahui Kai Mitcho 14' as well as other Surftech surf style boards.

I'm planning regular racing where all are invited. Surf SUP is great fun no doubt and is what got me hooked onto SUP, but racing is even more fun and doesn't rely on conditions so can be held anywhere. If you've never had a go, I urge you to come down and have a crack.

DM

We just ran a race this morning in BOP like conditions, 20-25 knot onshore wind, plenty of chop and some short period but ridable waves. We didn't do a beach run but otherwise it was straight out into the wind then 180 turn and back with the current then turn back again for an hour. In those conditions, the 12'6" boards were dominant. Second place getter was on a 17' but the guy is a machine. 14' boards came nowhere. Some argue that the decision to favour 12'6" over 14' for BOP races was unwise but on today's result, it looks like an inspired choice. Besides, all the top brands seem to be releasing wide 12'6" versions to cater for bigger riders so balance is less of an issue.

The new Naish 12'6 was used at the Currumbin race yesterday. The paddler was a complete beginner(a week) and did look great on it. Those that paddle it were surprised. looked a bit like a 404 and seemed stable.

Cheers guys, thats the type of feedback I was after. Starting to lean towards the slightly wider 12'6ers perhaps instead, and I love the look of the new naish.

DM I'm interested in checking out the fanatic boards, havent heard alot about them and having only read reviews on the SB's and naish, etc. I'd like to see one in the flesh so let me know when you have them in if you could mate.

Thought I would throw in another perspective as I am in the process of trying quite a few different boards to determine what works best for different needs.

For me personally racing is secondary to the time that I will mostly spend on the board just having FUN! To clarify, my idea of FUN is mainly paddling in the Ocean chasing waves and swell. Racing and the type of racing I do is a factor but I don't want it to compromise the time that I mainly spend on the board.

The best advise I ever got was 'go long'! The best length however is VERY much determined by your weight.

At 90kg the extra Glide I get from a 14' far outweighs any advantages of a 12'6.
Having said that some of the new 12'6's have similar volumes to 14'er!
For me though (and I have just tried a few) they still lack the glide of the longer board.

Chasing ocean swells invariably means down-winding and on the East coast, you soon learn that the wind is rarely directly behind you. It is always coming over one shoulder or the other. This means both the wind and chop are trying to knock you off! Fall once and you'll be lucky to share the first beer at the end with the boys!

The other bit of advise I wish I had been given rather than find out by trial and error is go STABLE - which generally means go wider than you think you need!
1 or 2" of width has little effect on speed for the average paddler (me) compared to the ability to stay on the board and keep paddling, IMO.

Staying on the board and maintaining a correct stroke technique for the whole paddle will get you home way quicker than a 'needle' of a board that feels fast when you demo it.

For fun in the ocean - go long and go a bit wider! That's my perspective! AA

Mate, get in contact with Auswind in perth and organise to try out the new starboard 'race' boards - the 12.6 is soooooo much fun in the open water and would make a great bop board. It also comes in 3 different widths so you can kinda tailor it to your ability. There are quicker boards in the flat but jeez its a fun board in tricky conditions - and if you gunna do bop you gotta be able to stay on the board to be competitive

Cheers AA, some good advice there.

I'll start looking at boards tomorrow if I have time, I have a feeling its gonna be a lengthy process

Enjoy the process Chopz! Its half the fun! Gotta love long boards for versatility!

I am now a bit confused - sorry if I am hijacking but...

I had settled on a 14 ft Naish Glide for downwinding (I want to get into it) but from what has been posted above it looks like I should consider going longer. I am around 105kg and have been mostly surfing the SUP. Advice welcome.

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DanOinkey said...

I am now a bit confused - sorry if I am hijacking but...

I had settled on a 14 ft Naish Glide for downwinding (I want to get into it) but from what has been posted above it looks like I should consider going longer. I am around 105kg and have been mostly surfing the SUP. Advice welcome.

Depends where you are I think. Plenty of guys in Melbourne are doing DW on 14' no problem, regardless of how big they are. If you were in Hawaii, then sure, go 16 - 18'. I dunno, maybe QLD too. But in a lot of places, the extra length can be a hindrance if the waves don't suit.

Thanks PT - that helps. Confirms the thinking on the 14'er.

BTW thanks DavidJohn for the great reviews on the Naish's.

Dan, don't discount the benefit of a rudder for downwinders (which are very rarely truely downwind) the benefit of being able to keep your storke rate even on both sides comes into its own on longer paddles...

The Naish 17' catches nearly anything (it makes you laugh) and is stable enough if you aren't a small guy. A few mates and I use them, we are all 90-95kgs and they are fast enough to still do well in the race series.

The difference in the glide from the 14' to the 17' is definitely worth the extra investment for open water paddling... For me anyhoo. You can combat the issue of shorter wave period by trimming the board further back which pulls the nose up no problem.

Get into it - important thing is to get out there and have fun!