I'm looking at getting my first board, it's such a huge learning curve!
I'm female, 164cm and 58kg. I'm going to be doing flat water paddling only, no surf.
I was originally looking at the Atlantis Halo 9'6 or Evoke 9'4, but have read that they aren't as good quality as the higher end brands.
So now I'm looking at the Starboard Whopper Starlight 9'6 or Fanatic Fly 9'6. I'm worried the Fanatic will be too narrow at 30".

Any thoughts? Starboard and Fanatic are obviously far more $$$ than the Halo or Evoke, is the extra price worth it for a beginner? I want something durable and easy. Also the lighter the better, as I foresee that I will struggle to lift the weight onto my roof racks

Can only speak for 9'6" Fly.
4th season now, solid.
30" is plenty for anything short of yoga. However, if you're especially tall or lack balance, a wider board is more stable in calm water, but will paddle slower and Glide less.
Thick rail and flat deck of Fly makes it the most stable board for calm waters.
For rough water, windy days, backwash and cross windchop, a narrower board with thinner rails is preferred.

Value for money imo the Atlantis sups are brilliant.

We have had a number of them, different sizes and as tough as and been very happy with them.

I would recommend getting the lightest sup you can as carrying them to and from the beach, wind catching a sup when carrying and loading off and on the car when you get tired isn't always easy.

Enjoy - you will love supping

If you want to glide ? at your size those boards r too big ! The fly is chunky the wopper to wide you probs couldnt get your arms round it ! If you want too cover distance then mayb look at longer than 10 foot and a few inches narrower ! A 12 foot naish and round the 26 inch wide would mayb better ! Theres plenty good second hand boards out there ! There r so many variables ! Happy board hunting

You need ONE of these
www.oneoceansports.com/9ft-tour

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riverider said..
You need ONE of these
www.oneoceansports.com/9ft-tour

I was going to suggest 1??

I recently added an Evoke 8'6 to my quiver. I use it more than my Fanatic and Jimmy Lewis. Awesome board, from my point of view there is no durability or quality issues at all. It's been on lots of road trips and doesn't miss a beat. Can't beat the value for money I reckon.

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Kela said..
I recently added an Evoke 8'6 to my quiver. I use it more than my Fanatic and Jimmy Lewis. Awesome board, from my point of view there is no durability or quality issues at all. It's been on lots of road trips and doesn't miss a beat. Can't beat the value for money I reckon.

Nice shape the evoke for surf ! If u want flat water fun then you need more pararell rails ! Just my take on the subject

Hi watermelon25, many of the boards you mentioned are designed to get you into the surf. If you are only interested in flat water, as a first board, rather than the SB Whopper can I suggest you take a look at the Starboard Go, which seems to be exactly the kind of board you looking for. The different constructions and weights are listed on the website:
sup.star-board.com/paddle-board/hard-paddle-board/go/

Cheers
Pete

We have the Starboard Wide ride Whopper ( litetech . The best value/weight) 10'2"x34. It handles way better than you think a board this wide should. It does have a fair bit of rocker, though so pushes water in flat water a bit.
Check out the Whopper surf video on starboards site. Sally likes hers so much ( 5'4") , she pretty much won't use any of the other boards flat or lumpy paddling. She is a lot heavier than you.
The Starboard Wedge ( used to be called just Widepoint) 10'5" by 32, is possibly a better size for your weight and a little flatter rocker. I have the 2020 version in litetech and it is a very nice board indeed. I do tend to use my 14'er in flatwater though and keep the Wideride for waves.
If you are only flatwater paddling , why not get a displacement board. Much easier to paddle. Plenty of second hand 12'6" out there and the width/stability is a little critical ( A 28/30" board is as stable as a 32" allrounder).
My absolute favourite nonracing flatwater board , though, is the Starboard Waterline . Probably the most efficient hull shape made by anyone. They make a 12'6x 28 carbon and a litetech. Slightly dugout and a very wide tail, so VERY stable. None in Australia new though, at present. I have a 14x28 carbon on order after trying to get one for a year, before they decided to bring new ones in. The dugout makes a huge difference as I found out when I bought am 14X28 SIC race board which has a small dugout ( 50mm lowered). Should have bought a 26". To be fair the shop did tell me that. The 2020 litetech one was a very good price ( 1400bucks). If you aren't racing or surfing , I doubt there is anything that comes close to it for efficiency.