Hi all, I'm new to the site and relatively new to SUP. I've been doing some social paddle races and training sessions on hired boards and I've really loved it. I think it is time to get my own board and paddle.
I'm after some experienced opinions. I'm looking at a 12'6" surf tech Jaime Mitchell, a 12'6" hobie elite or a Naish 12'6" glide GS.
I've tried a 14' NSP and a 14' hobie elite. Didn't like the feel of the NSP at all and found it difficult to manage. I loved the hobie but I think the shorter 12'6" would suit me better.
I'm open to suggestions though!!
Cheers guys.
Ah, my bad. I'm about 68kg and approx 4'8" tall. It's deceiving though as due to being born without thigh bones or knee joints(long story short; I have normal feet and shins joined to my hips), using weight and height calcs for me can be a bit hit and miss sometimes.
Caused me no end of bother trying to get a snowboard that worked!!
Depends where your considering paddling and what your using the board for?? Fun ? Racing or not? Down winding or flats or allrounder ??
14 are a good option for down winding and long distance paddling ... Though at your height and weight a 12'6 could be fine if you get the right one?
An all rounder is what I'm after. I love doing the social races and being able to go for longer paddles too. It would be a mix of flat and potentially downwinders.
I'm sure everyone wants that one all round board!!
Also spotted a 12'6" coreban for sale on here. Never used one though so I don't know anything about them.
Examples of places I paddle would be in Sydney harbour and some open beaches.
I have a 9'6" mctavish for the surf.
Yeah a 12'6 sounds about right for you maybe if your after and allrounder at your weight and height something around 28 inches wide would be fine ... All the major brands would be ok there are some good second hand ones on here to
Hi Keiranr,
The Fanatic 12'6" Falcon in 25" would be ideal for your weight. I've ridden the 25" on a downwinder and at 90kilos I found it surprisingly stable and really easy. I usually ride the 12'6" x 27.5" Falconn now and love it! The sports car of the downwind world. Jacko and Ange have had some good wins and podium finishes on the Falcon 12'6"
It's still quick on the flat water and fun to BOP.
The Surftech Bark Competitor is a great board also. Very quick on the flat water and seems fast on the DW. Nice and stable and seems to work better with lighter riders.
At your light weight, the ST Jamie and Laird would be too wide.
There should be a few around now, see if you can get a demo.
DM
Hi Kieran, try a few different ones if you can, preferably in bumps if you can to feel what they may be like in the harbour or the ocean.
Could also think about the starboard allstar as a good option in the 26 or 27.5. Stable and fast anywhere.
Agree with DM about the Fanatics also. Once again great allrounders.
Can tee up a time to demo a few in one hit if you are keen.
Sam.
Thanks for all the replies guys, I think the best thing for me to do is try as many as I can!!! It does help to get a few good tips to steer me in the right direction though. 
I just did not like the handling of the NSP found it very difficult to turn as being light(68kg) and having a narrow stance I had to trek right back the board to try to initiate turns and by the time I was back far enough to get the nose out I had way overshot the turn. Probably a lot to do with bad technique too!!
Hi Kieranr,
I have the Coreban Alpha Race 12'6 (not to be confused with the Sigma/Dart series etc).
I'm about 70kg and 176cm. My feeling is that its optimal use is as a 12'6 downwind board, especially in rough conditions. It's reasonably stable and reasonably quick in those conditions. In flat or calmer water, it's certainly not as fast as some of the 'boatier 'shaped boards.
The sharp pin tail also means that it's slightly tricker to do a rapid pivot turn on (for BOP type racing etc) than the more square tailed BOP style boards, but that's a minor thing, and with a little practice you'll become proficient in pivot turning the board.
It comes with a dedicated board cover, which is handy too.
Further to Sam's suggestion on the Starboard All Star, I would like to add that at your weight and body shape, this would definitely be one to consider. I am a bit lighter than you, though taller. However, I don't have particularly long legs, so to trim any of the boards involves a lot of rushing up and down the board. That doesn't sound like something you want to be doing. With the All Star, the recessed deck tapers up to a flat deck so that the ramp section provides an opportunity to distribute your weight to the tail of the board with minimal movement. That could work wonders for you. Worth a try anyway.
A couple of brands not mentioned enough on Seabreeze are DC & Lahui Kai.
These are quality Australian made boards & can be custom built. You'll get great advice from Dale Chapman or Mick Di Betta on the best option to suit your needs. The results are also there to prove the design effectivness.
The other obvious one is keep testing where there's the oppotunity. Most stores let you try their second hand stuff.
Just be wary of the sponsored rider, generally only knows one brand (ha ha).
There's also plenty of reviews in these forums - for me it's try before you by.
Well, problem solved!! Got to use one of the guys 12'6" Nash javelin GX yesterday for a good paddle and I loved it. Just so happened he was selling it(only 6 weeks old) to upgrade to a 14". Deal done today. :)
Should be fun for the summer series next weekend at rosebay!! :)
Now..........what paddle to buy................
Nice one Keiran. She's a good board.
Paddles will get people talking for sure.
Best paddle I've used is Ke Nalu, best value full carbon paddle is the Starboard enduro carbon in my opinion.
Sam.
Hay Sam, well done on Saturday. 😊
Yeah, it's going to be a bit trial and error I think. Hopefully no expensive errors!!
There are a few possibilities such as the quick blade featherlight. As ill be cutting it down so short(approx 62 - 64") ill need something that has a little bit of flex even at such a short length.
Ive been riding a 12'6 falcon x 25. Its really good even for me (6'3 100kg). So for your size it think it would be ideal. It surfs surprisingly well. you can easily get down the back and turn it. Fast in the flats too.
Hey Skeb,
I rode the 12'6" x 25 at the dealer meeting in downwind conditions and it surprised the hell out of me, much more stable that I would have thought for a 25" board. I was paddling it surf stance and surfing the runners without falling. I was 92kilo's at the time and am 6'3" also.
The 25" is not necessarily only fast for lighter riders or smooth conditions. I believe Luc Longley was able to paddle the 12'6" x 25" Facon and stay dry at the recent visit by Pete Dorries coaching clinics. 
Cheers,
DM
Definitely a nice 12'6.... I just picked up my 14' x 27 carbon Falcon today...cant wait to test her out!! 
On a side note; got to try out a 14' javelin LE and an MC 14 on Sunday. WOW!! SOOOOOOOOO LIGHT!! Both were great to paddle. Really got up and moving easy. So different to be on something 23" wide compared to the usual 28 - 30". 😀
