Hi guys, I'm new here so I hope you don't mind my rookie question here.

I'm getting myself confused on which direction to go. I would love some recommendations for a good flat water board. I'm new to paddling, female 5'7", weighing 56.5kg. I might eventually have a play in some small waves but flat water paddling is my priority. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Nb. I should add I'm on a small island so I'm looking at flat water as mainly being bay paddling vs lake or river.

Something like this..

www.naishsurfing.com/product/alana-106-gs-womens-all-around-cruising-wave/

or

www.naishsurfing.com/product/alana-95-gs-womens-all-around-cruising-wave/

Thanks so much for the input DavidJohn. I have been looking between these, Naish Nalu and Fanatic Fly. Thinking 10'6" but then wondering if I should go bigger for mainly flat water?

I depends on how serious your flat water paddling will be.. Just puttering around a marina or social paddling a board like the 10'6"x30" Nalu would be perfect.. I know quite a few girls with them.. Boards like the 9'5" Mana are slightly more managable for smaller/lighter people to carry and lift onto their car.. they also paddle flat water fine and they would be the better board for when you try surfing.. I also know a few girls with the 9'5" Mana and they love them for just cruising around on flat water.. If your going to be more into distance paddling (or racing) you'd be much better off with a nice 12'6" board that's 26"-28" wide.. Another nice board that you should concider is the new 11' Touring Glide also from Naish.. A girl that I know that currently has a 9'5" Mana now and she has told me that it will be her next board.. ( but she'll still keep the Mana )..

Hi Rocal .
i have the 11' glide and a 11' Nalu .the glide is a bigger board for sure .hard to fall off ,I ride small waves ,only go straight on it .it is 33" Wide ,so stable .i take it in ocean and lagoon areas and when it is very rough and don't feel like falling off or getting wet .it tracks great . The 11' nalu is more or a all rounder ,more waves and paddles nice too .I think the 11.4 paddles better in flat water due to less rocker and thinner @ 30 ' instead of 31' like the 11' Nalu .but I got the 11' Nalu for waves .you could also be very comfortable on the 10.6 ..with your weight 56 kgs .Im 96 kgs .If you do want the bigger board the 11' glide or nalu s would fit the bill.if you need it for waves as well go for the nalu's .

Most girls love their 10.6 Alanas ..= 10.6 Nalu .it is rated to carry a 90 kg person ,you will be fine on it .
you will find it easier to carry too .Tardy

Thanks Tardy and DavidJohn. I've been also offered a 10' Fanatic Fly wood at a great price to add to my confusion. So now tossing up between the 10'6" or 11' Naish Nalu vs 10' Fanatic Fly WE??? as I'm mainly looking at flat water my choice would lean to which I will ultimately be faster on ( trying to keep up with others here ).

My wife starting Suping about a year ago, started on my Allwave 9.5 which is 32 inches wide, its a good board to intro anyone to the sport but as she became more experienced her opinions of my various boards started to appear, mostly they where things I had never thought about.

The Allwave at 32 inches wide makes it hard for someone with narrower shoulders to develop a good paddling stroke, instead of the paddle shaft being vertical during the majority of the stroke its always on an angle because the board is just so wide.

My Nalu 10.6 is 28 inches wide which can make it a little wobbly in side chop but its very easy to keep the paddle vertical, my 30 inch wide 14ft Bark allows a good paddling technique for Susan but its near impossible for her to move it on land without the wind overpowering her.

Another thing is the cosmetic look of the board, timber deck of the Nalu looks sensational up against the Allwave according to Susan.

Last thing is moving the board around on land, here the Allwave is the clear winner simply because its 9.5 instead of the Nalu's 10.6, on a windy day weighing 56kgs anything much bigger then 10.6 may be difficult for you to get to the water.

Recommend demo of your various options and stay around the 10ft long, 30 inch wide mark.

cheers,
DK