Hi,

Looking for some board advice (primarily for surfing). I am 40 years old & 80KG. I have been riding a 11ft SUP (11' x 30.5" @ 160L), my wave count is massive but i wanted to progress to a shorter board. I ended up buying a Loco El Dibalo (8'2" x 28 @ 110L) but i am finding it virtually impossible to even stand up on the thing - i am guessing i went too short too soon. So i am looking for a board inbetween those 2 - i like the look of the Starboard Hyper Nut Starlite (8.4' x 31.5" @ 140L) - will this board be stable enough or should i go longer?

I surf on the east coast of the UK, mainly beach breaks - 2-4 ft.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

Hypernut would be a good move IMO, plenty of width but shorter, have not ridden one but dims sound about right.

I wouldn't go any wider or shorter, if anything you could go high 8' range and drop to about 30 inches - approx 120-130 litres?

8'4 hypernut great choice. Most stable board I have ridden in that size range and yet still heaps of fun on a wave. The other thing with the hypernuts is they are really quick. A lot of wider boards are too slow and frustrating but the hypernut's parallel rails, flat rocker and quad set up makes them fly.

Thanks for the feedback both. I'm gonna go with the Hypernut! Its difficult to know how a board will be without demoing it but from what i have read online & your comments i think its the right 1 :D

Cheers

I'd also concur with the hypernut. A 160 to 110kg board is massive on all fronts! ive got a 7'2 x 28 hypernut @105l. I normally surf a 8'4 x 28.5 x105l board and thought it might be too small but they are a really stable design. Fast and short.

shoukd be good for you to progress on

Why not a 9'2" board at 31" wide. Then you will have a 3 board quiver for practically all surfs - 11 footer and 9'2" and the 8'2" ! Do not know the surf characteristics of your Dibalo, but looking it up on net ,it is a true advanced surf sup like the hypernut in a lot of respects, or the 11 footer, but 11 foot seems like a cruiser, WHY not go for something different - you have a cruiser and a short sup capable of surfing steep hollow waves -- time to get a groveller - surf in 2-3 ft messy conditions ( bit of chop ) or windy - a go to board at 9'2" which will also transition you from 11 to 8 feet. Regards Steve

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LukeT32 said..
Hi,

Looking for some board advice (primarily for surfing). I am 40 years old & 80KG. I have been riding a 11ft SUP (11' x 30.5" @ 160L), my wave count is massive but i wanted to progress to a shorter board. I ended up buying a Loco El Dibalo (8'2" x 28 @ 110L) but i am finding it virtually impossible to even stand up on the thing - i am guessing i went too short too soon. So i am looking for a board inbetween those 2 - i like the look of the Starboard Hyper Nut Starlite (8.4' x 31.5" @ 140L) - will this board be stable enough or should i go longer?

I surf on the east coast of the UK, mainly beach breaks - 2-4 ft.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers

At 80kg you will not go back to your 160l boards for surfing. There is no point. Your 8'2 seems to be a good board for you. You just need to practice more. Eventually you will become really comfortable with it. If I was you, I would not waste money on getting a 140l or so transition board as an intermediate step. After a few sessions it will join your 160l. Get a board that will help you now and will. continue to be fun later. I would look at at a high performance longboard in 110-120l range. It will be much more stable than your 8'2 and continue to be fun in small conditions even when you become really comfortable on your 8'2.

My 2 cents

Hi luke ,that was a massive drop ,and not surprised you are having trouble with it ,but in time yes you will get to surf it .
I would suggest a 8,7 -9 foot board ,with 125 -130 litres for you .i have had a few short boards 7,0 ,i don't like them .but i like at least 8,5 long boards
its just easier to catch waves ..but you now need a in between board for sure ,if you can get hold of a 9,1 sunova acid or 8,10 creek or something similar you would be doing yourself a favour ,You are lighter than me ,but you need that stepping stone to be able to ride your short board .
tardy