Hi there, i am new to the forum here looking for some advice. I am 5'11 and weigh about 78 kg with 2 years of flatwater SUP experience mainly river. Being from the middle of Germany i have rarely the
possibility to surf waves. After trying in Northeast Brazil and failing big time, i had to notice that keeping balance flatwater and wave are completely different things. Trying on my own on a RRD 9.8x32 inflatable i did not even get close to catch a wave. Next day , took a lesson with a local instructor, i only managed to find out that its much harder to fall on an hard board than on an inflatable. My wife asked me later, why its called Stand Up when you are mainly under water.
The board was a local brand about 10.4x32 but shaped with a dome in the standing area , which
made me feel uncomfortable from the beginning. Now the plan is to go next spring to the dutch coast
for a weekend surf lesson also demoing some boards. What are the best boards to test for beginners.
Is it easier on a board like Naish Mana or Starboard Whopper (shorter,wider) or try the Naish Nalu or
Starboard Wide Point or Drive( longboard style) keeping in mind that still flarwater use is the bigger part of usage?

As far as the Naish boards go a 10'6'' or 10'10'' Nalu would be very good for mostly flat water..

The 9'5'' or 10' Mana would be a good choice for mostly surfing..

Welcome to the breeze..

Hi DJ,
thanks so its easier to learn catching waves on a Mana due the increased width than on a longer Nalu.
Does anyone else has a recommendation for a beginners wave board worth to demo ?

My first board was a Starboard9'5 widepoint and have had no complaints. Tho have heard great things about the Naish Nalu 10'6. IMO dont spend too much on your first board as you quickly progress.

On the other hand any secondhand board between 10 and 11 ft is a rare commodity, there are bugger all about for sale, especially a name brand. So your first board will probably be the easiest to sell or trade in when time to upgrade and you will get the most money back on it.

@ BenjiD
Not so sure about quickly progressing, due to limited surf time, probably twice a year for 2 weeks on vacation in Brazil,thats it. The rest of the time i will be flatwater bound. Did you have pronesurf or windsurf experience before you started ?

Select to expand quote

gatinho said...
@ BenjiD
Not so sure about quickly progressing, due to limited surf time, probably twice a year for 2 weeks on vacation in Brazil,thats it. The rest of the time i will be flatwater bound. Did you have pronesurf or windsurf experience before you started ?


[i am an average surfer. The Nalu 10'6 was actually my first choice but was to big and cumbersome to store. The SB widepoint goes fine in the flat but more surf oriented. Ive seen guys in the lake and estiaries on the Nalu and surfing head high. Demo maye.

Hey there.
SUP in the waves is an interesting and dynamic situation. Viel Spass damit!

1) Don't give up
2) Get a board with a flat deck, I found that makes life much easier
3) I would suggest over 10 foot board from major suppliers, Naish, Starboard, JP etc
4) Lesson or determination, either will work
5) There are plenty of tips available on the web
6) If you have friends that surf, go out with them and watch
7) Choose your conditions, try to pick a day with no more than knee high waves, not too much wind and a long rolling wave so you have plenty of time to get organised

Its a lot of fun, stick at it!

Thanks for your suggestions. After checking a lot of other posts here, it comes down to try to demo a Naish Nalu 10'6, Mana 10.0 , Starboard Wide Point 10.5 and Whopper
and find out which one suits me best. Maybe even two different boards as my wife is also into SUP and will demo too.
Choosing the right conditions will be tricky as its has to be a weekend that needs to be planned in advance.
Will post my experiences here, ven it will take a while until our weather conditions allow a weekend in the waves.

I started on a JP 9' 2" Surf (wood construction) I had never SUPed before although I have always surfed. The learning curve was steep but because I have plenty of time on the water I overcame it in about 9 weeks. The board is still with me and still very good in the waves. I'm not saying you should do the same and a board around 10' sounds ideal but I have managed to save myself the chore and expense of changing boards. If you have good conditions it's a route you can take but if you don't and don't have the opportunity to get out on the water too often I wouldn't take it.

Nobody has said Fanatic Allwave yet, but as a very satisfied customer, thought I'd better put in a plug. Not a sponsored rider or a retailer or anything, just a super pleased customer

Yep, the Allwave will be in the mix too.The new 9.10 should be a great beginners board too.
Depending on what boards are available to demo, its narrowing down to three brands now. Hard to wait until April, then I will probably give it
another go in Brazil. But this means I will have to buy a board without the chan e to demo before.