Hi Guys,

So I've been bitten buy the sup bug and im ready to buy my first board. So many to choose from! It's definately a maze. I'm looking closely at the naish nula 10' 10" as an all rounder. I'm 6ft and 95kgs most of my paddling will be done on flat sometimes choppy water. I would sometimes like to take the pooch(6kg) for a paddle aswell so maybe a different board all together (something with more deck grip even).. Im open to all opinions and suggestions on brands and models and I'm happy to pay good money for the right board. TIA

10'10 Nalu ,would be good for the dog with the extra width .
it paddles nice and straight with the channels .

Are you intending to surf? If you aren't, then you will probably be better off with a touring board like one of the Glides, especially if you want to carry a dog, or equipment.

But I'm sure DJ will be along soon to advise you

I would like to get into small surf at some stage, though that will probably be at a later date.

DJ really seems to know these boards well!

The 10'10" Nalu is a great board and a good friend of mine has one.. and he's had it for years.. It was a ground breaking board design in its day when back then there was only surf shapes and flat water shapes.. This was a surf shape that paddles more like a flat water board due to its odd bottom shape..

But now Naish have new shaped boards that offer even better performance and you should concider the new 9'8"x 34" Quest.. and also the new Quest 12'x 31" touring board.. So now you have three boards to choose between [from Naish].. The 10'10" Nalu is still a good option but I think I'd choose the 9'8" over it.. Especially if paddling with a dog on board..

I have the 12'x30'' Glide touring board that's very similar to the new 12' Quest.. It's also another option.. The new 11'2''x 32'' Quest would also be very good.. The new soft top option of this board would be perfect for the dog.. So make that six to choose between now..

Where are you? Do you have access to demo boards to try?

Hi DJ

Thanks for your input, it's much appeciated!

As you say The 10'10" is a still a good option but from what you are saying the quest series of boards are probably better suited for what I want to do with the board. I think it will be out of the 9'8" x 34" and also the 11'2" x 32" soft top board. (leaning toward the latter for the soft top option for the dog).

I'm on the mid north coast of NSW. There seems to be very little in the way of quality demo boards around to try.

Do you know of any places up my way to demo? (Though I notice you are in Vic so probably not)

Also when I'm ready to buy can you point me in the right direction of shops (online or in person) to purchase from?

Cheers

N

DJ is really the expert but the 9'8x34 Quest seems quite similar to the 9'8 Odysseus of the last few years, except it is heavier. Not sure if there is any difference in the shape. So you could maybe find last years board for less money. BTW I have the Odysseus and it is a fun, easy to use board.

Yes the 9'8" Odysseus is the same board as the new 9'8" Quest.. I didn't notice any weight difference but the new Quest looks amazing with the new graphics.. I've heard you can still buy the old graphic Odysseus for a cheaper price than the new Quest.. If it was me I'd pay the extra and get the new one.. I paddled it yesterday at the Great Melbourne paddle event and the new graphics really do look amazing.. Here's a vid that I once did surfing my 9'8" Odysseus..



and a new Naish vid..



I met this lady on the w/e at the Great Melb Paddle.. She wanted to try stand up paddling for her very first time.. I put her on the new 9'8" Quest (shown in this pic) and she picked it up easier than I've ever seen anyone before.. I think the board had the most to do with it.. It's soooo stable and easy to paddle.. After only paddling a few minutes she wanted to try paddling with her dog.. No problem at all..

I think the Odysseus was 26 lbs vs 29 for the Quest. Agreed that the graphics are sweeter on the newer model, especially on the bottom.

PS DJ thanks for the video. My primary board is a 12'6 Bullet but I would like to try surfing next summer on the Odysseus. Nothing too serious but on small waves. Glad to see that you can do it on this board. Obviously it is not high performance but you make it look fun. Long term if I get into surfing will probably get something different but where I live (CT in the North East US) there is really no surf. I do spend several weeks in the summer in Montauk which is pretty good.

How about the NEW Jimmy Lewis Striker coming in a few weeks in 10'x31 size (or the current 9'5x30 147L)
Low nose rocker for occasional nose riding and great flat water paddling, while the tail rocker and 2+1 fin set up gives the Striker great small to medium wave performance abilities, making this a ultimate all around board! Full length deckpad for posi-traction nose riding & for the dog :)
www.jimmylewisboards.com.au

Thanks DJ the naish quest 9'8" really does look like nice and performance sounds / looks great aswell. From what l can gather this board comes in a soft top aswell? Correct? And my weight and height shouldnt be a problem either from looking at the specs.

Cheers

Thanks dr fierce for your input. It does look like a fun small wave sup for a bit of surfung aswell..????

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nath156 said..
Thanks DJ the naish quest 9'8" really does look like nice and performance sounds / looks great aswell. From what l can gather this board comes in a soft top aswell? Correct? And my weight and height shouldnt be a problem either from looking at the specs.

Cheers

Yes.. pretty sure both [9'8'' and 11'2''] come in a soft-top version..

These 'soft-top' boards have come a long way in recent years.. They are also cheaper.. btw I just bought my first soft-top board for paddling with our dog.. He's a big boy at about 40 kgs..

I've not paddled the new 32'' wide 11'2''.. I can't imagine it being more stable than the 34'' wide 9'8'' but it should track slightly better and a be better choice for distance paddling.. Storage is much better with the shorter board..

Cool dorg.
the 9.8 quest or Odysseus . are so easy to paddle and easy to turn ...rocker is fairly flat.

if I had a dog that swims ,the soft top would be perfect.... He just won't where his boardies .

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Tardy said..
Cool dorg.
the 9.8 quest or Odysseus . are so easy to paddle and easy to turn ...rocker is fairly flat.

if I had a dog that swims ,the soft top would be perfect.... He just won't where his boardies .

Hi Tardy,

Don't feel obliged to answer, just wondering how heavy and tall you are in comparison to me being 6ft and 95kg.

Cheers

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Jimmy Lewis Boards said..
How about the NEW Jimmy Lewis Striker coming in a few weeks in 10'x31 size (or the current 9'5x30 147L)
Low nose rocker for occasional nose riding and great flat water paddling, while the tail rocker and 2+1 fin set up gives the Striker great small to medium wave performance abilities, making this a ultimate all around board! Full length deckpad for posi-traction nose riding & for the dog :)
www.jimmylewisboards.com.au

Thanks jimmy for replying but I've settled on the Naish quest 9'8" soft top. Thanks for replying though. N

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nath156 said..

Tardy said..
Cool dorg.
the 9.8 quest or Odysseus . are so easy to paddle and easy to turn ...rocker is fairly flat.

if I had a dog that swims ,the soft top would be perfect.... He just won't where his boardies .

Hi Tardy,

Don't feel obliged to answer, just wondering how heavy and tall you are in comparison to me being 6ft and 95kg.

Cheers

No worries there 5,10 94 kgs ...

i few of my mate have 9.8 Odysseus .they only flat water paddle .
i have a 11 Nalu .for mucking around on and paddling with them .i don't know if I would put a pooch on mine though.175 litre x31 .
Its a big toss up between the 10'10 and 9.8 quest .because the 10'10 paddles a bit quicker.but it doesn't have the soft top option .
but you could cut a piece of thin rubber for da dog .

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Tardy said...

nath156 said..

Tardy said..
Cool dorg.
the 9.8 quest or Odysseus . are so easy to paddle and easy to turn ...rocker is fairly flat.

if I had a dog that swims ,the soft top would be perfect.... He just won't where his boardies .

Hi Tardy,

Don't feel obliged to answer, just wondering how heavy and tall you are in comparison to me being 6ft and 95kg.

Cheers

No worries there 5,10 94 kgs ...

i few of my mate have 9.8 Odysseus .they only flat water paddle .
i have a 11 Nalu .for mucking around on and paddling with them .i don't know if I would put a pooch on mine though.175 litre x31 .
Its a big toss up between the 10'10 and 9.8 quest .because the 10'10 paddles a bit quicker.but it doesn't have the soft top option .
but you could cut a piece of thin rubber for da dog .

Cheers Tardy,

I think I've settled on the 9' 8" quest mainly for the stability and being a full soft top aswell as it's impressive all round ability. I'm sure my dog will love being out on the water with me. As this is going to be my first board purchase I think this is the way to go. I've got no doubt that I will add to the quest in the future with possibly a 10' 10" nalu. Lucky I have have great partner who enjoys paddling, who knows how many boards we may end up with.

Good on ya .Nath.I wish the quest was around when I started ,its a great firsty.

i had a 11.6 Nalu @29.5 wide .fell off a lot .she was a beast to surf too.

ENJOY .

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Tardy said...
Good on ya .Nath.I wish the quest was around when I started ,its a great firsty.

i had a 11.6 Nalu @29.5 wide .fell off a lot .she was a beast to surf too.

ENJOY .

Cheers mate, I'm sure we will enjoy.

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DavidJohn said..

nath156 said..
Thanks DJ the naish quest 9'8" really does look like nice and performance sounds / looks great aswell. From what l can gather this board comes in a soft top aswell? Correct? And my weight and height shouldnt be a problem either from looking at the specs.

Cheers

Yes.. pretty sure both [9'8'' and 11'2''] come in a soft-top version..

These 'soft-top' boards have come a long way in recent years.. They are also cheaper.. btw I just bought my first soft-top board for paddling with our dog.. He's a big boy at about 40 kgs..

I've not paddled the new 32'' wide 11'2''.. I can't imagine it being more stable than the 34'' wide 9'8'' but it should track slightly better and a be better choice for distance paddling.. Storage is much better with the shorter board..

Thanks for your input into this topic DJ. I've settled on the 9'8" Naish Quest. Mainly for the soft top (for the dog) and stability plus it seems to perform like a true all rounder for that style of board. The Nalu 10'10" will be on shopping list in the future for sure. Thanks again.

N