Hi all,

First post on here. I've been looking online and in shops for my first board after hiring a SUP a few times and really enjoying it. I'm in my mid 40s, 178cm tall and weigh 109kg. I've read very good reviews about the Waterborn Evoke, and my preference is leaning strongly towards the 10.0ft carbon model.

Speaking with a few people, they indicated that, for my weight, I should be looking at 10.6 or 11ft to start with. Would a 10ft board be too small / unstable for me? Although I've never surfed waves before, would it be realistic for me to expect to catch waves with this board after some (a lot of) practice?

It seems the new models online have some sort of grooves/channels underneath the board (similar to the Atlantis Mano, made by the same parent company, I believe) although I could not see the same channels in the Evokes in store in Noosa. Would it be a newer model then? Any advantages/disadvantages with that design?

Apologies for questions galore, and looking forward to your replies. Also, very interested to hear of alternative board suggestions.

Cheers,
K.

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SUPNoob said..
would it be realistic for me to expect to catch waves with this board after some (a lot of) practice?

The problem with surf-based sports (surfing, SUP, ...) is that you practice only when you catch waves.

And so, having a board too hard for your level will reduce your wave count, reducing the rate of your progression immensely.

I have seen people that insisted that they were very happy with their small board but catching one wave in a hour instead of the 30 their should have caught with a bigger board. This means they progressed 30 times slower. And since we were in a place with infrequent waves, and they could only get out on week-ends, it would have been taken them years, even decades, to progress. Needless to say, they quit after some years.

This said, he was on a 7'4" and should have been on a 10'. This is more as a general warning.

10' and 11' are close enough that you can have easier 10' boards than 11' ones, depending on their width, shape and volume.

The Evoke seems a fine board, but not with the easiest shape however (pulled in tail and semi-pulled-in nose), so I'd advise also on the 10'6" or 11'. The 10' would have been OK if you already have some surfing experience to know how to catch waves.

When I started on SUP, I bought a 10'6" evoke wood and a 10' Evoke carbon, for my missus and I. I was 105kg (she's about 65kg)

We were told that I should start on the 10'6 and my partner on the 10' to begin with.

I didn't notice any real difference standing on them...So I used the 10' as it was lighter and smaller for carrying (as I used it a lot more than my missus.

My first day, I caught 1 wave - fell in a lot etc. After 3-4 sessions I was catching basically any waist high wave I wanted to. After 2-3 months I could stand on it with one leg basically....

The evoke 10' I believe is 32' wide and reasonably light for its size and very stable.

My husband is 54 years young and around 90Kg's all rubbered up and learning on the 10x32 carbon evoke and really enjoying it and his surfing is progressing well (for him and his background) and he really loves the board.

I originally bought him a 9'6 vex and he couldn't stand on it and tried him on a Sunova 10' Style and he cracked it, so a few sups later he's happy and i'm . i'm a fan of the Surfboard Warehouse sups based on price, hardiness and performance.

Thank you all so much for your replies. Your insights have been most helpful. Provided I get the green light from the Minister of W&F, I will be getting a board this weekend! In terms of trying to catch my first waves, am I best to go to the mouth of a river (e.g. Maroochy / Noosa) and start on small waves or are there any spots along the Sunshine Coast that are beginner-friendly?

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SUPNoob said..
Thank you all so much for your replies. Your insights have been most helpful. Provided I get the green light from the Minister of W&F, I will be getting a board this weekend! In terms of trying to catch my first waves, am I best to go to the mouth of a river (e.g. Maroochy / Noosa) and start on small waves or are there any spots along the Sunshine Coast that are beginner-friendly?

Where abouts in the coast are you? Happy valley is a really easy place to learn and lots of people supping on the weekends. Though this time of year the SE winds it can be a bit messy but that's where noosa and moffs really shine but probably not the best learner friendly spots as the proners can get a bit trigger happy if you are in the way. I have only surfed maroochy river mouth once and its a fairly easy wave I think it's also popular saturday mornings for sup surfing and should be alright in light SE winds.

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Nugdam said..
Where abouts in the coast are you?

Thanks Nugdam, fantastic info! I'm in Bli Bli, so closest surfing spot would probably be Maroochy river. I'd be keen to try the other ones you have suggested.

Nice and Central so you have plenty of options. I would suggest maroochy river mouth and happys for sure. Lots of people out on the weekends plenty of people to watch and learn from.

I've got a 10ft evoke. I'm 105 kg and 64 years old. The evoke is a perfect size for flat water paddling and pretty damn good to surf.
Overall for a well priced sup, it's a pretty good all round board.

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SUPNoob said..
Hi all,

First post on here. I've been looking online and in shops for my first board after hiring a SUP a few times and really enjoying it. I'm in my mid 40s, 178cm tall and weigh 109kg. I've read very good reviews about the Waterborn Evoke, and my preference is leaning strongly towards the 10.0ft carbon model.

Speaking with a few people, they indicated that, for my weight, I should be looking at 10.6 or 11ft to start with. Would a 10ft board be too small / unstable for me? Although I've never surfed waves before, would it be realistic for me to expect to catch waves with this board after some (a lot of) practice?

It seems the new models online have some sort of grooves/channels underneath the board (similar to the Atlantis Mano, made by the same parent company, I believe) although I could not see the same channels in the Evokes in store in Noosa. Would it be a newer model then? Any advantages/disadvantages with that design?

Apologies for questions galore, and looking forward to your replies. Also, very interested to hear of alternative board suggestions.

Cheers,
K.

Gday Mate,
Go the 10', you'll have no problems. It will feel very different in the waves after flat water as the water is always moving where flat is like being on concrete. Just bend your knees a bit more, stagger your feet a little more front to back in hybrid stance (still shoulder width apart but back foot toes in line with front foot heel) and lean into it a bit more. You'll improve quickly no worries.
I've got friends who are 115 ish and they used to surf the 9'2 evoke no worries and had never surfed before. I'm 93ish and I ride the 7'11 but I've surfed my whole life and the evoke is still my goto board. I have a 8' vex to for the glassy powerful days too.
Mouth of the Maroochy has some nice little sliders there to try and close to home for you too. As the boys said, there's a big sup crew at happies at Caloundra (I'm usually there or currundi for a beaching) and they're a pretty easy going lot.
Good luck and hope to see you in the line up. Don't stop asking questions to mate as plenty of people happy to help get your stoke on.
Cheers Whitey

Thanks Rune and Whitey for taking the time to send a message.

I'm travelling for the next couple of weeks but will make sure I drop by Happies to say hello. Keep an eye out for a bald, portly guy with a French Canadian accent and a brand-new Evoke

I have the Evoke 10ft eps. Very happy with it in terms of quality for price and the way it handles in the water - from flat to overhead point breaks it works well. The 10ft by 32inch is a very stable beast and I think the weight/experience guide they give you errs on the side of caution, so give it a go.

Sorry to hijack the thread a little with another newbie question. Im slowly getting back into the water after a few years albeit now on a sup rather that a windsurfer. Ive owned a 9'6 all wave for years, she's a big board for me Im 70 kgs however I usually go out with my kids on the front, have a windsurfing fin on the back so it tracks a little straighter, bit of hard work to get it onto waves though.

Been looking for a second board, more suited to myself and more suited to easy Maroochy/ Happy Valley days, what would be the ideal volume I should aim for?


Thanks all

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lee1972 said..
Sorry to hijack the thread a little with another newbie question. Im slowly getting back into the water after a few years albeit now on a sup rather that a windsurfer. Ive owned a 9'6 all wave for years, she's a big board for me Im 70 kgs however I usually go out with my kids on the front, have a windsurfing fin on the back so it tracks a little straighter, bit of hard work to get it onto waves though.

Been looking for a second board, more suited to myself and more suited to easy Maroochy/ Happy Valley days, what would be the ideal volume I should aim for?


Thanks all

I would say 1.4 - 1.5 x body weight would suffice. 100-110L in a shortboard shape, 110-120L at most on a Longboard shape. Yes you could go down to 85L but in all honesty don't make it too hard for yourself...

Took my new board out to try and catch waves at the mouth of the Maroochy river around 9am this morning. It was a rather cold shower of reality. After watching numerous videos (and feeling reasonably, but naively, confident), I started out fine paddling straight through waves, but once I tried turning and catching waves, I was having great difficulty standing up and fell more times I can count. The wind then started to increase in speed by 9:45 and I basically retreated to flat water.

What would generally be the best time in the morning/afternoon for optimal conditions for beginners?

it's usually more about what the wind is doing.... light winds best, offshore preferably... onshore / side shore not as good. Patience and practice mate

Great advice, thanks mate!

Early bird gets the worm!

This long weekend I went to Cotton Tree twice and once to Happy Valley. Out of the 3 days, I only managed to catch 4 waves (only 2 standing up), which has been a blend of frustration, fear, exhilaration and motivation. I've been by myself pretty much the whole time in spots/conditions I'm not entirely comfortable with yet. Was wondering if anyone on here would volunteer to buddy up one day to give me tips on practical SUP surfing techniques, even if I just observe closely. It would also give me a sense of 'safety in numbers" by not being on my own. Alternatively, I'd be willing to pay for lessons. Any good recommendations for individuals / schools that would offer such lessons?

Thanks in advance,
K

Send me a pm mate when you are heading out again. I'm always up for a surf. Surprised no one was out at happys I assume it was pretty bumpy with the southerly winds. This is where moffats is the go.. but a bit crowded for a beginner.

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SUPNoob said..
This long weekend I went to Cotton Tree twice and once to Happy Valley. Out of the 3 days, I only managed to catch 4 waves (only 2 standing up), which has been a blend of frustration, fear, exhilaration and motivation. I've been by myself pretty much the whole time in spots/conditions I'm not entirely comfortable with yet. Was wondering if anyone on here would volunteer to buddy up one day to give me tips on practical SUP surfing techniques, even if I just observe closely. It would also give me a sense of 'safety in numbers" by not being on my own. Alternatively, I'd be willing to pay for lessons. Any good recommendations for individuals / schools that would offer such lessons?

Thanks in advance,
K

Have you considered getting a sup surf lesson - imo worth every cent and a few helpful hints will help you progress faster