2014 Starboard 8 x 28 Pro 96L
Rider 2 yrs sup exp
Weight 84kg
Starboard Local Team

I have just come back from an overseas trip where I was stoked to get out on my Starboard Pro for pretty much 10 days running, so I feel well placed to give some feedback on this board


Manourvaibilty - This is why I am on this 96 Litre board, I love how the board can turn on such a tight radius, and how you can really carve those roundhouse cut backs and throw it around.

Stability - with the flatter deck it seems pretty stable for a board this size, I don???t often fall in without a good reason, but defiantly go for a dive more towards the end of a session or if it is choppy, it did take me a fair few sessions to get used to it but now feel I could not go for a board with more volume.

Down the line - held a really nice line on the face of the wave with the rail gripping into the wall nicely and producing good speed to get around those faster sections.

Larger waves - I found I could not crank off the bottom as hard as I would like to but would have to draw the bottom turn out a bit while leaning a touch on the paddle, seems to snap in the pocket really well. Though (smaller and medium wave you can push it on the bottom turn)

Yawing - it seems to paddle pretty straight changing sides about every six paddles or so, I find myself forward of the handle position most of them time.

Durability - after a bit of knocking around it still seems brand new (except for some sculpturing to one fin.

Just got back from a week at Rotto and put the 2013 8’ Pro to the family test.








I started SUPing in August and have a 9’ Converse and love(ed) it. Then decided to take a punt on a smaller board and bought a 2nd hand 8’Pro (same dimensions as Ioz 2014). I fall off way more than I would like and threaten to sell it on a choppy day but then I catch a wave and wow the ride is just so good I continue to put up with the between waves pain. Would be interested to hear how the 8’5 compares ride/stability wise as I would love to continue to get the 8’Pro feel with less effort.

Hi Slack,

The 8 5" is a great board though just less manoeuvrable on the wave face but definitely more stable.

I think you should just give your self-time and keep paddling the 8ft,
and it will become 2nd nature after a while.


- it comes down to trade off ???

if you want a more a short board supping experience or if you want the ease of use and glide that a larger board offers ?

Thanks Ioz, I haven't given up but the 8'Pro is fighting back..................



Required a few stitches.
Photo by Peter from www.swellsup.com