Hi all,

i finally managed to get a chance to see some shops locally with more then 3 boards in stock ,I'm in the south of france.... i have an old naish mana and in the market for a new board , I want something that surfs well but decent for flat water exercise as well , we don't have consistent waves but when i do get one, I'd like some performance

I'm 79/80 kg and 5'10 , intermediate level and quite fit.

i saw an excellent deal on fanatic ex demo 2014 boards , 9'6 pro wave but i didn't have a chance to try them yet and i guess in flat water probably not brilliant ?

I'm leaning towards starboard as well, but too many models !!! sales guy recommended 8'10 wide point for surf , drive or whopper for cruising ....anyone got an opinion on this , there is also the converse and the element but i can't view many models where we are...so would appreciate some advice

would like something lightish as well , my waterlogged mana is killing me

thanks in advance guys

best rgds

alan

I wouldn't regard a Whopper as a cruiser for you as it is too wide and you will find yourself yawing all over the place. The Drive or the Blend are much better for that purpose. Converse and Element are also very good and would be a better compromise as they will surf better than the longer boards, yet they are still capable in flat water.

I also agree the Drive or Blend would be your best choice. Sounds like you will be cruising much more than surfing. You will be frustrated on a Widepoint trying to exercise or keep up with friends since glide is minimal with all that rocker. Anything less than 10' will be relatively slow on flatwater. I am also 80kg and my Drive is way faster than my 9-6 Widepoint. My wife's Blend actually downwinds quite well if you should get into this. The Blend would be your best "all-round" board if you want a little of everything. It will surf anything up to 6 foot. Go carbon if you can.
I actually switched back to surfing the Drive since i can catch more waves (and get back out quicker) and it feels faster on the wave. I'll use the Blend whenever waves fall under 3'.

If you want to surf, take a pure surf SUP shape. Anything goes for fitness.
"flat water" shapes are good only when cruising with friends, so they do not have to wait for you.
But for fitness alone, I was using my 7'10" (I am 100kg) for fitness sessions around the "Ile de Lerins". It took me 2 hours instead of 1h15 with a 12'6", but it was a very good training for surfing.
And paddling on a small SUP is harder than a long SUP, so it is a better exercise, and you learn more to control the row.

So just focus on the wave performance, forget the flat water, unless you want to race or do cruises to far away places (islands...)

This said, as you are in France, I suggest you check the Gong line (and other French brands). They offer really innovative shapes in quality construction, designed for French waves (with a fast rocker), at a nice price (you can get a quiver for the price of other boards). Try to find an ambassador near you to look at them or even try them: www.gong-galaxy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=2225 or www.gongsup.com/Ambassadors.html?lang=fr
Shops do not like them, so you will hear bad things on them from shop vendors, try to get the other side of the story with actual Gong owners.

If you are near Cannes, I can show them to you. Disclaimer: I am a Gong ambassador :-)