I have had SUP lessons but some time ago. I live 5 minutes walk from the southern Port Phillip Bay beaches and am looking for a board I can grab after work and head to the beach. I am at McCrae which is relevant because it is where the ships turn out of the channel to head to Melbourne (or Port of Geelong) we get smooth little well formed waves... otherwise it is mostly flat... though rarely you get conditions suitable for body and other types of surfing.
Weight wise I vary between 90 and 100Kg and 186cms tall.
I have been looking at the Surftech range "all round" boards. I have been steered in the direction of the Generator (L11'6" x 31.5") and the What I Ride (L11'6" x 31").
Am I being steered in the right direction?
For a number or years I have headed to the beach with my wife after work with a comfy light weight chair, and a beer or two. We both like a dip but I would rather walk than sit and look at the view. I am thinking that I would be better off having a SUP than a walk ;-)
In anticipation, __daavid
Depends a bit on what you want to do in SUP. Down where you are that size/style of board from any of the major brands (or minors) would be a versatile choice for first board at your size. Good for cruising on the flats at your local inside beaches and you should be able to catch some ship wake on it. Versatile enough so you could catch a few small-med waves over on the Westernport side if you wanted to venture over that way.
If you wanted to get a bit more sporty, look at a pointy 12'6...faster and maybe more fun on the flats on the inside, still surfable over the other side. Demo a few different shapes and sizes and see what you like - the SUP winter classic that the PSUPS* folks are running on August 10/11 would be a good day to try out a few.
(*I'm guessing if you're looking at Surftech down there you're already talking to PSUPs? You'd be safe in their hands but any of the melb shops would happily organise demos if you wanted to venture up.)
Yes have been talking to Jeff and Lynda - actually have been doing so for years not being one to rush into things. Great people!
I will be trialing some more boards with them in a few weeks. The other board suggested was the touring/"pointy" flowmaster (12'6" x 32") but for just flat water. I am just looking to be able to have a bit of control if a wave does come my way.
As for what I want to do with it... when it is busy down here I like to be able to walk to the beach avoiding the traffic. I suspect I will end up SUP'ing up and down the beach rather than walking along it. Also I want to be able to look into the water as I SUP. (I usually swim with goggles just so I can check out what is going on beneath the surface of the water - few swimmers have any idea just how much marine life there is down there.
My wife is away on that August weekend but I am working one of the days. Will see if I can slip along.
