Heading to Fiji in a couple of weeks (first time SUP surfing overseas) and would like to ask the team regarding what board to take.

I have a choice between my Starboard 8'5" Pocket Rocket or a Hobie 7'11". The SB is much more stable in the chop and surfs pretty good for a big board in all different types of conditions. The Hobie is not so good in the chop however could handle larger more hollow waves.

I can only take one so would appreciate your thoughts.

Cheers.

Where you heading in Fiji?

Staying at Fiji Hideway Resort on the Coral Coast. I think the town is called Sigatoka.

There is a right hand reef break out the front which should be fun.

Also thinking of a day trip to Frigates as recommended Dogman a few months ago.

Board advice would be helpful...anyone???

I'll be heading to Fiji in a couple of weeks too, won't be taking my board though. Mind if I borrow yours?

Sure thing no worries...which one

the break out the front is a hollow reef break, siga's sandunes (not that far away) a beach break.
having said that it's tradewind season so expect sideshore trades.
think you SB 8'5" is probably the go at the moment, cause it's a good allrounder.
(I would take a waveboard and 5.0 wavesail too in case its windy like it usually is at this time of the year :-)
enjoy !

I'd stay away from cloudbreak if it's over 4ft on that 8'5"x30" pocket rocket. Surfed it at a stormy 8-10ft 20 years ago on a 7'6" x 19 1/4" and man, was there some juice in it.....now there's a hold-down.

Cheers for the advice Samiman.

I was beginning to think that this forum doesn't have a wealth of SUP knowledge

SB Pocket Rocket is the go.

Thanks Tang I've heard Cloudbreak is a pretty heavy & crowded wave.

Any advice on Frigates?

Not sure what cloud break is like these days and what the arrangements are for exclusivity now, sorry. Nor am I in the loop re Wilkes Passage, Namotu etc. But i wouldnt write cloud break off - even at 3ft, if it's not too windy, it's a sensational wave. And depending on the swell direction and how clean it is it can handle a crowd with different takeoff spots and sections.

never surfed Frigates,, though heard a lot about it. Sounds rather insane when it's on, too. Not completely sure how sucky or quick it is as accounts differ. There was a threads here a month or three ago where some WA boys went to the meets and it seems the bloke on the PR was finding some of the waves a challenge been though he was a good surfer.

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supgman said...
Thanks Tang I've heard Cloudbreak is a pretty heavy & crowded wave.

Any advice on Frigates?

Hi supgman, If its any help I spear fished all over frigates a couple of years ago when there was around 5 feet of swell ( overhead ) and there are some shallow sections that come up that make the wave hard to make, as I was also watching some guys riding it. If the swell direction is running along the reef if would be better cas it looked a bit straight on when I was there. Having said that there were some mad waves cranking through. ummmm...was sharky to :)

Thanks Tang I'll check it out with the local SUP guide.

Cheers windara it's worth a look.

Frigates is a great wave (similar to cloudbreak), can be heavy when big. but quite far away from the hideaway (about an hours boat ride from Pacific habour, which itself is also about a 40 min drive from the hideaway).

cloudbreak, namotu, frigates ... all waves in Fiji are open to the public now
... and often more crowded as a result

(ps: no more exclusive for paying guests only! the outcome of a long, long struggle we fought for 15 years and thanks to a government that supported the surfers cause rather than individual commercial interests .... )

At Frigates last November - caught one day when the trades were not blowing - really enjoyable when I stayed out wider - not as many waves, but caught all the bigger wide ones and had a ball - every one inside got cleaned up by these, although I only got half as many waves ( or less) than the crew inside. Good drop and still a longish wall if you make the wave. You can paddle to the channel if you don't make it - pretty hard paddle(almost impossible) if you get hammered and finish in the break zone. Dogman was out at the same time and did do it easier than me though! pic of frigates that I posted before

Steve - ps check the weather on computer to see if it is worth going - need light winds(abatment of trades)

I remember that photo stehar, that looks awesome and a little more interesting on a deep take off

Good stuff Samiman. Good to see the locals getting benefit from it as well.