Hi All
Seeking some advice on a SUP purchase. I am about 82kg and 186cm. I surf a longboard and windsurf a bit on 120ltr free ride board. I have no SUP experience and am after my first board that can do the following:

- surf small waves/messy conditions
- do a little bit of flat water fitness stuff
- be usable for my family to play around on (occasionally).

I think I have narrowed it down to either the JP Fusion (10’2 or 9’8) or Fanatic Allwave (9’1).

While on specs it looks like I could go the 9’8 Fusion or 8’11 Allwave - I am worried that it will make it harder to paddle flatwater or get into waves on marginal days.

Any advice is welcome.
Thanks

Neither of those boards will be great flat water paddlers, both are pretty surf-oriented (I have had an Allwave and now own a JP Fusion). For the mix of uses you describe and at your weight you've got a lot of options open to you but I'd look at something bit more flat water friendly that will still surf really well, something a bit more longboardy if that's your background. I'd suggest you have a look at a Naish Nalu in the 10'6 or the 11' , One of the Laird Surfers around 10'6 or maybe even a 10'6 Fanatic Allround, just to name a couple.

Millpond, on the back of HC's comment, I'm approx your weight & height & I've got a 10'6 Laird Surfer x 32" wide which is super stable (150l) / great for flat water & it's a dream to catch waves on.....especially on those marginal days. The only slight gripe from my other half is that it's quite a heavy/cumbersome board (approx 11kg) for her to carry/handle if I'm not around. Not sure if that helps but I thought I would give you my 2cents worth - cheers

I have owned all the boards that I mention in my reply.

As HC says, the Laird and the Nalu are good surfers that also paddle very well on flat-water, so they are definitely worth considering,
however, IMO at my weight of 100kg, my 8'10 Allwave was more stable in flat-water than either of them.

I have logged hundreds of hours paddling flat-water on a 9'6 Allwave and then an 8'10 Allwave. Very adequate paddlers for good surf SUPs.
My average paddle trip on my shorter surf SUP's is 8 to 10 km.

I also loved my 10'8 Fusion on flat-water.... however, IMO, the 9'1 Allwave will be better than the 9'8 Fusion on flat-water.

Any of the shorter boards are easy to move about and very manageable for kids and ladies.

I think your instincts are pretty good but, of course, the best test is to get on some boards and go for a paddle.

Have a look at Starboard Element. At 9' 8 a really good all round board with not too much rocker but good in the surf, flat water and a nice glide.

Thanks very much for the advice. I will check out some of those other boards - particularly the Naish Nalu 10'6 and Fanatic Fly 10.

Here's another couple to look at the Imagine 9-0 & 9-8 Impact plus the 10-2 Icon , I have been playing around on these boards for the last couple of weeks , for their size really good performance and tons of glide. The 9-0 surfs like a 8-6 I love it.

Check out this video by Dave Kalama on the Icon.

I have owned a 10' 2" JP fusion and loved it great for flat water and catching a few waves. Good starter board that anybody can ride

I have all wave 8'11" and it is super stable out in the line up. If you want a board you can do some flat paddle on the allwave 9'1" would be fine though for your size the smaller all wave would be my pick for surf