Hi all,

My first post on what looks like a great forum.

The wife and I tried stand up for the first time four weeks ago and are well and truly hooked. Managed to get out nearly a dozen times over christmas: Maroochydore, Bribie, Redcliffe, Gold Coast.

She has already gone ahead and ordered a Starboard elite tourer and I am looking for my first board. Was lucky enough to try a 14 by 30 2015 Glide last weekend and loved it. So stable compared to the rentals and moved so much better. I’ve also been drooling over the 2016 Starboard All Star 14 by 28. The reviews all cite stability but wondering how it would compare to the Glides stablity? Quite a bit lighter which appeals.

I am 213cm tall (105kg). Will be mainly used for fitness and fun. I am never going to be a surfer but I do like the idea of open ocean paddling, touring and perhaps one day (got to aspire) down winding. Lot of experience on this forum. Appreciate your advice and any thoughts on where I can demo the All Star (if that option isn’t too ambitious).

Cheers, Todd

Boom! Someone finally taller than me! I'm 205cm and 110kgs... I was in a similar position to you about this time 2 years ago. I trialled lots of stuff and settled on the 14x29 Glide which is a beautiful board. That got me right royally into it and I started doing time trials amongst other things. This has lead me to my current board, a 2015 Ace GT. This is a whole other level for me and is pushing me to be a lot better. Honestly from someone who's similar in stature to you, it might be worth looking at an unlimited board. At our height a 17' board is to us like a 'normal' person on a 14... Worth a look if you can track something down.

IMO you'll be better off on the big 14x30 Glide.. (btw I'm thinking about getting one myself) and I think the new 14x28" Allstar might be a bit ambitious.. I'm 6'4" and about 100kgs..

213cm? No wonder the 14' Glide felt better than the rentals you'd previously paddled. How have you gone finding a paddle long enough?

Ahh, the GT had caught my eye, but didn’t dare mention that one to the wife! Great to get perspective from another tall paddler, thanks.

Thanks DJ. Yes, I was very taken with the Glide. Seemed forgiving enough that I’d have a lot of fun learning on it.

The guy at SurfFX reckoned it was the first time he'd glued a handle without cutting the shaft. A Naish fixed paddle at 228cm. Bought that after the rental variable came apart in my hands mid paddle!

Are you in brisbane?
Go to briskites and chat to them. Some good deals on boards atm.

Personally i reckon either of those boards will be a good choice for what you want to do. The glide is an unreal board and learning in the ocean u wont fall in on that. But its not a challenge at all at 30 wide and they are heavy. The all star would be lighter and 28 wide is wide enough for almost anyone after a couple of paddles.

Two very very different boards the glide and the new all star.
Also to throw it in the mix the falcon also comes in a 29 or 30 wide and would be lighter than the glide

Ive got a 14 x 29 Glide (GX Construction) and love it, It's forgiving and its been great for me learning to Downwind.

Thanks all for the helpful input.

Picked up the wife’s Starboard tonight… and a big Glide found it’s way home with it

Got a great deal and wanted to be on the water this weekend rather than shopping a board. Can’t wait to get out on it!

Thanks again and be sure to say hi as you pass an improbably tall paddler.

Cheers, Todd

Select to expand quote

DavidJohn said..
IMO you'll be better off on the big 14x30 Glide.. (btw I'm thinking about getting one myself) and I think the new 14x28" Allstar might be a bit ambitious.. I'm 6'4" and about 100kgs..

Seems like everyone who has owned a Glide remains positive about them. They may be heavy and wide, but there's something about them that works.
I've only had one very short paddle on one but I liked it. I reckon it would be a good board for cruisey downwinders where stability counts but you don't need to be the fastest board on the water (but maybe the one having the most fun ).
DavidJohn, if you happen to read this, I'm aware you've moved on to the Jav (among other boards) .. what is it about the 14' Glide that you like?
Cheers and thanks, McGuane.

The thing with a Glide, especially if you're a bigger guy, is that it's just easy. They're so stable that you don't spend half you time trying not to fall in, you can just get on with paddling. Sure they're not the fastest thing around race course but they're not that far off…!

It's interesting that they've sold hundreds of them, but you rarely see them come up for sale (at least i don't tend to see them…)