Hello everyone! I still did not decide which board for SUP surfing should I get: I'm currently on 8'6''x28''x4 120L, I outgrow it and it is all full of repairs and pretty used (construction is really horrible, it is cracking on the rails and bottom).

I will use it in small powerless beach and reef breaks, waist hight most of the time (I can post picture of spot). Waves are really powerless, but I still did not have problems catching them on my current board.

I'm 52 kg, female, 2years of SUPsurfing.

I want to progress and go smaller and have a board that will be manuvreable and will feel really live under my feet.
But I also want decent stability as I'm surfing on chop 98% of the time and it can be really annoying to get out on such a small board.
I can not demo.

So here are my 3 options: New 2014 Starboard Airborn 7.10x30 97L, Fanatic Allwave 7.10x31 110L (used LTD-if I found it for good price or new HRS), or new Naish Hokua 7.10 x 32 120L.




I've tried Hokua 8.3x32, at first it was a bit stringe for me because of such a "round" shape, but incredibly stable, what I really like about it, I did not have problems going out in shoulder high waves and hard chop, it was much more stable than my board. Take off was a bit "wierd" at first for me, maybe because I wasn't used to it and because of foot placement that is much different than on my board. But after I while I got used to it.

Do you think that x32 and 120L will be too much for me? Or will be ok as the waves here are small and powerless? I guess it will be easier to take off on Hokua than for example on SB Airborn?

I really love Starboard Airborn, but I'm a bit concern about stability. I guess that it will be most maneuverable of all 3? But also more unstable.

I really like Fanatic Allwave, it would be my 1st option, but I found LTD version to be very expensive here in EU and HRS version is heavy as hell for its size

Any ideas? Thanks for help!!

Kind regards

i have an AW ltd--love the board and its ride, but the constrction and weight have been disappointing--paddle whacks that merely mark my other boards, will crunch a ding into to ltd carbon--3got ding repairs all over both rails--so the construction ids dubious--the paint is a joke and flaked off all over the place--nbd, given i've sanded so much of it off and resprayed with better paint: regular old krylon hardware store spray paint! like i say--love the shape and the ride, but the construction is heavys, exp[ensive, and weak

my starboard hrs weighs nearly the same as the aw but is way more durable--

my new starby airborne in blue carbon is my fave--love the ride, and it's super light and seems very durable--none of the issues ive had with the AW

they all ride well, but the airborne swings so light that it rips around better

Hello, at 52 kg dont get over 80 liters of flotation otherwise you would be out of the water feeling contact or the feeling of gliding and surfing upon waves. At 80 liters you can have enough width and length to get a stabile and secure board without compromising the benefit of the joy to paddle on a stand up paddle board.
If you understand me , I'm ready to send you a proper file ready to built ever where you are.

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boundeast said..
i have an AW ltd--love the board and its ride, but the constrction and weight have been disappointing--paddle whacks that merely mark my other boards, will crunch a ding into to ltd carbon--3got ding repairs all over both rails--so the construction ids dubious--the paint is a joke and flaked off all over the place--nbd, given i've sanded so much of it off and resprayed with better paint: regular old krylon hardware store spray paint! like i say--love the shape and the ride, but the construction is heavys, exp[ensive, and weak

my starboard hrs weighs nearly the same as the aw but is way more durable--

my new starby airborne in blue carbon is my fave--love the ride, and it's super light and seems very durable--none of the issues ive had with the AW

they all ride well, but the airborne swings so light that it rips around better

Thanks!! I've heard about Allwave and it's construction, that can be really unpleasant; I'm riding on a rocky reef so I really need a durable board... I know how annoying it is if it is crunching all over, my board has thousands of repairs, dings, cracks.. So I'm looking for something with better construction.

Do you have 30" wide Airborn?:)

HI, my 2 cents worth,have a 710 x 30 airborn and am around 75kg . Has great stability for me ,at your size you could dance on it.Would be well suited for the waves you describe.
I would suggest though that at your size it wont take too long before it felt too big for you and your on the hunt for something smaller.

Hi, at your weight and for weak waves, you should definitely try to find a wide nose and wide tail boards, but with not too much overall width (no more than 30"). Width will slow you down and make it hard to turn.

And of course with minimal volume: a 80l board would be great, and will be lighter.

The added glide of these shapes will do wonders on weak waves and their stability in chop. Of your 3 shapes, the Fanatic is closest to it.

i have the 8'8" airborn--i am 90 kg+, 188cm

it's fully 32" wide but only 3.7 thick, for 123 liters

as i am to the 7'10" you, at your size would be to the 7"10"

love the board weighs like 17 lbs with fins

hate the price though i got a decent discount from the nauseating retail price starboard somehow justifies

Are you decided only on these models? For example, I guess that for less than $1000 you can have killer light boards like the 8' Vex: www.thesurfboardwarehouse.com.au/atlantis-vex-profusion-carbon-pro/
(The vex seem to have not too narrow a nose, for retaining some stability)

This is an example: I never saw any Atlantis board, but since they came at one time from the same factory as the Gong ones that I know, I guess they are quite good value for money - but there are many other quality brands in Australia, other than the big names that can advertise a lot...

Howdy,my 2 cents worth.

I'm 58kg and I've had both the Airborne 7.10'x 30 and 7.4 x 28.5.

Both great boards very stable,fast and easy to flick around.
Wide nose and tail.But at 97 or so litres I think the 7.10' is to corky for you and at just over 80 litres the 7.4 would be perfect. I loved that board for a few years.

A bit more work at first but will pay off very quickly in performance.

Im of the 7.4.X 25.5 now,my 4th starboard and find then very durable.

Happy surfing,

Cheers

Bob

NEpaddle, I have the 7/10 X32 Naish and weigh 90 kg so at you weight you have to jump on the tail to make it turn. I would go with the Airborn for sure.

Phil

Hi NEpaddle,

Even if i think those boards are nice boards, i think they are a bit outdated as those shapes are already 2 or 3 years old. A lot has evolved in shapes since then, specially in what comes to stability when paddling.

The other thing that you should be aware of is that a board around 120l is an easy board for someone around 100kg, not a 50kg one. Like most are telling you, if you go between 80-90L you should still be fine.

After riding starboards for a long time, i've tried the Sunova boards and can't go back now. At your size, i think the 7'7 flow (or even the 7'5) would be a perfect fit. You'd probably have to re-learn things on the first couple of days due to the much shorter length, but i'm sure you'd find your feet in no time.

Have fun,
Johnny