Hello everyone,

I would like to hear your opinion based on your experiences.

I will talk (and I would like to hear from you) about performance boards, especially in wave riding. I willl rely on pro performance short style boards for paddle surfing, under 8'.

What do you guys think about bigger brands? (for example Nasih, Jp, Starboard, Fanatic...)? Are they really one step further, based on performance, than smaller brands? Is there big difference in performance (not in construction, I would leave construcrion part on the side this time) or it is everything about strong advertisement? Are they overpriced for a reason? How do smaller brands ride in the waves? Have you try both, what do you prefere or ride and why?

I was able to ride only "big brands" untill now, they all surfed well in my case, but I never tried someting else.

I've been paddlesurfing for almost 4 years now. Last year I'm on old 92l starboard pro shape, carbon construction and I love it. But unfortunately construction of the board is falling apart, I have to say that it is a little bit "worn" and I am thinking of getting something new soon. I do not live near the ocean, so I am not every day surfer but I spend some time in the waves.


This time I am thinking of buying something cheaper and not spending a huge amount of money for a big brand pro shape. I can buy 2 boards and cover all surf conditions for the price of one "big brand" board.

And I know that everything is in rider's surfing ability, but you know, leave me your opinion

Cheers!

In my experience boards that work well in the waves are the ones made by shapers that know how to SUP well in waves. Not necessarily at pro level, but enough to understand what is going on, and decode the input of team riders and customers.

And this has nothing to do with the size of the brand.

Thanks! Yes, I believe that that's true, thanks for your opinion. What about if you compare it to big brands? Did you find it on the same performance level? (In your specific case)

what about others?:)

Sunova all the way for me so far. I know you said construction aside but you mentioned your board showing wear etc.
I did my research & purchased a Sunova paddleboard that performed above my expectations & then purchased 2 short boards that also performed above expectations.
In saying that. If you want a good low priced quality board where price is comparable to performance, check the Surfboard Wharehouse.
If I was to choose another board for best construction & outstanding performance to my ability at a comparable price. Then Sunova it is!
And that is saying it from someone who shyed away from seeing a Sunova brand in a surf shop a few years ago.
Check their website. Any questions? Ask them. They made a custom board to suit me.
Saying it as it is.

Select to expand quote

NEpaddle said..
Thanks! Yes, I believe that that's true, thanks for your opinion. What about if you compare it to big brands? Did you find it on the same performance level? (In your specific case)

I stayed quite generic in my opinion, as I am a Gong ambassador, and it would be not fair to emit a judgment on specific brands.

But I was really sincere: There are small brands where the shaper knows how to SUP, knows how to shape, and other small brands where the guy just buys whatever the chinese factory shows him. And among big brands, you have those with some boards with a lot of character where you can feel the touch of the shaper, and others where the "pro models" are "watered down" a lot for marketing reasons to make them confortable enough for maximum sellability at the expense of performance.

And performance is very relative to your level and surfed spots. In my opinion, a high performance board is one that makes you surf better... this depends on the rider: one guy performance board can be another guy lemon.

I can also recommend Sunova's SUP wave boards!