So it looks like this bug has bitten me much worse that I thought!

Up to now, I’ve thought that SUP surfing was the only side of the sport I was really hooked on but I’m coming to the realisation that a flat water paddling addiction has crept up on me too and I need something more specialised than a 10’6’’ Laird Pearson Arrow to satisfy my cravings.

If money was no object, I’d go out and buy this year’s Starboard All Star but I really can’t justify that sort of money…… yet.

So I’m looking for some advice, I want a fairly user friendly all-round quick board although I don’t mind a bit of a challenge. I’d like the option of being able to do down-winders on it too. What boards from the last few years should I be looking out for? Also, is a 14’ board significantly quicker than a 12’6’’ or would it be too much for someone new to this type of board? and is it worth investing in a race paddle?

I’m around 75kg and have been paddling for a few years although it’s been considerably more frequent this year. I’m beginning to really work on my technique, watching lots of videos and paying much more attention to what I’m doing and what difference small changes make.

Thanks

Go the 14'. The need for a race paddle is entirely dependent on what you are using for a surf paddle and how short you have cut it. Generally, people prefer a longer shaft for racing compared with surfing, but if you are using a relatively long shaft for surfing, then it won't be necessary.

Thanks PTWoody.

It looks like I'm going to need to measure my board storage area!

Is there anything / any boards I need to avoid other than the extremely narrow?

Are any of these worth considering?

2013 Starboard All star 14' x 27.5
2013 Starboard Ace 14 x 25
2014 Fanatic Falcon All water Carbon Race Board 14' x 24.7
2014 Fanatic Falcon Carbon All Water 14 x 27.25
2014 Starboard All Star Glass 14 x 28
2014 Starboard All Star Glass 14 x 26.5

I wouldn't recommend a 14x25 Ace to someone as their first race board. It's for experienced paddlers who know what they want IMO.

What about Sunny King raceboards ?

Looks like the only 14' boards available from that list are sub 25'' Fanatics so probably a bit too ambitious for me at the moment like the Ace.

I haven't seen any Sunny King boards in the UK but would certainly consider one along with most others.

At least I know I'm looking for a 14' board and something a bit wider than 25''. I'll see what comes up.

Thanks

Hi Chris,
Like you I have recently purchased my first race board after a number of years in the surf.... I demo'd a 14x28 Starboard all star Carbon, and a 14x24.7 Fanatic Falcon Carbon (thanks again to the guys at North Freo Stand Up Surf!!). The 28" was stable and comfy as and while the 24.75 was great on a flat day was a little tippy for my 100kg when the bumps came. If I was buying new, I probably would have gone the Falcon in a 26 or 27" but instead I stumbled on a 14x29 Coreban Dart (second hand).

Coming from a Sup Surf background, I knew I would also try and chase a small wave and the nose on the Dart looked to be suitable for some chop or a wave. I have had it for a couple of months now and it is great!! I am never going to challenge for the Molokai but am really happy clocking up some k's and playing in the small surf.

From the advice I was given and seeing as how you too have a surf background... I would recommend a board with a downwind style nose. Not a cutting bow type (better for straight line speed on flat water) but the softer rockered shape of the Falcons, Allstars, Maliko etc. You could probably go a bit narrower than me given you are lighter and if you are quite comfortable already in choppy surf. The other board that I am really interested in is the 14' Sunova Search that Casso recently reviewed on here... Looks amazing!!

Thanks Emeboy. I think you're right, as much as I'd like to go as fast as possible on flat water, I'm beginning to understand that I'll need to compromise on that to have a board that will offer a bit more in terms of downwind and chop suitability.

I'm going the play the waiting game for the right used board to come up at the right price. I saw a 2012 Naish Javelin in wood construction but realised this is a flat water specific model, I think it would need to be the Glide if it was a Naish.

Was there a year when the design of this type of board improved dramatically or has it been a gradual process? Just wondering how old I could get away with and still keep reasonably modern performance?

If you live in the UK, I know someone with a Naish Glide 14 Mk2 (27.25" wide) who might part with it. That is a great budget all-round board and is super-quick downwind in our conditions.

Unless you're downwinding, racing or you have to be faster then anybody else, take a serious look at 12'6"s first. You're light enough that you can be nearly as quick on a 14'. No doubt, 14's are faster, but we're generally talking about 10ths of miles per hour. Is paddling 5.8 mph vs 5.6 mph really going to make a difference for you? The handling of a 12'6" is just that much easier for transporting and storage and a 12'6" will handle surf better and fit into short period chop and swells easier that the longer 14' might struggle in.

Here's the big thing. Most 14's at the wider widths 26" and up, are designed for heavier paddllers and consequently carry more foam and volume you just don't need. You can pick up a cheaper standard construction 12'6" at a reasonable weight and price, but when you go up to a 14', that same construction is going to weight a ton. Personally, I won't even look at a board unless it's under 30 lbs. Those Glides are somewhere in the 35-40lb range; that's a lot of weight to lug around and are really slow to accelerate when paddling. Pick one up, walk a 100 yds down the street and back and tell me what you think:)

The GT construction Mk3 Glides aren't particularly heavy. Nor were the Mk1 or Mk2 Glides, and the current top spec GTW ones (I think).

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Area10 said..
If you live in the UK, I know someone with a Naish Glide 14 Mk2 (27.25" wide) who might part with it. That is a great budget all-round board and is super-quick downwind in our conditions.

Thanks Area10, that sounds interesting. I like the idea of a board without the deep footwell of the modern boards, to begin with anyway particularly for giving down-winding a go.

Thanks also Baddog, there certainly seem to be more 12'6'' boards available. From what I've gathered, the main attraction of the 14' over the 12'6'' for me is the increased glide particularly for more moderate down-wind conditions. I've never down-winded before but it certainly appeals to me although I'm not sure how often I'd have chance to do it. The conditions I know I'd use it regularly in range from river and harbour to coastal in the south of England.

12'6 x 28 Bump Surfer - awesome board for downwinding, surfing, cruising with the family. The best all round board in our range in my opinion

Wow, amazing video. I want to go to Torquay now and I don't mean the one in Devon.