Hi all, jst getting started with SUPping and I am thinking about an inflatable SUP. I am 6'2" and 106 kg (230 pounds) I have surfed a 9'6" mal and had plenty of whitewater kayak experience. I am thinking about a board which suits a beginner in small surf, flatwater as well as tackling some whitewater river rapids. I have demoed a Naish Nalu 11'6" which i found very surfable but possibly a little narrow. I have also demoed a Naish Mana 10' on flat water but i think it sat a bit low in the water for me in that role.
I have found the forums to be very informative but have yet to come across an opinion on the suitability of the Boardworks SHUBU wide 10'2". Will it be too bendy and have enough volume for me?
Thanks Greg, caught my first (little) wave while demoing the nalu 11'6" and I am totally addicted already. I'll check out the nalu 11'4", thanks for your advice.
I have a C4 waterman inflatable - it's an awesome board, and great in the surf too. A top quality board can be inflated super hard - mine, 15 p.s.i. - I'm a white water raft guide, and a raft is only 2 to 4 p.s.i.
the lesser quality boards can't be inflated as hard. C4 are bringing out newer and better boards, and there are some other companies doing good stuff too. In the US, where I raft in Colorado, there are companies making all sorts of river SUP boards including glass and plastic - in the US there is such a big demand for river boards, as most people live 100s or 1000s of km from the ocean.
Having said that - here in Australia I have a hand made hollow wood board, 3 Naish - 9'3" Hokua, 2012 9'5" Hokua, 14' carbon/wood glide; and use all those boards way more than the inflatable. My inflatable comes in to its own when I get dropped off up at the bridge, inflate the board, paddle the last 10 km down the river and across the estuary, roll the board up and put it in it's back pack and walk 3 km home along the beach. Otherwise the other boards are used way more often. The C4 works in the surf, and I have fun on it, but the hard boards all out perform it. I think maybe things like spending a few weeks on a scooter touring beaches in say Vietnam, or something like that, or if you really are going to do lots of river/whitewater stuff, then the inflatable is awesome, if those aren't the plans, then I'd give the inflatable a miss
Jay it is horses-for-courses really. Inflatables come into their own if you need a softer flexier more durable board ie: River rapid paddling, boating, kids, family etc etc.
Inflatables will always struggle to outperform an epoxy board for paddling speed or performance in the surf just as you will struggle to roll up your Naish 11'6 and put it in a backback or drop it and hope it bounces.
Two different animals for two different purposes.
Nothing beats a stiff hard (epoxy) board for speed and precise turning!
PS: Boardworks and C4 inflatables were made out of the same factory. That may have changed now that they have separated.
Thanks to all for the advice, looks like I'm gonna need at least 2 boards. My wife is gonna KILL me
Ha ! she has had 3 paddles on a borrowed board and is hooked too. things are looking good for the quiver 
I'm thinking a boardworks SHUBU for her (stable and light but I can also use it for whitewater rivers) and something like a big, long allrounder for our small waves up here in the tropics
Hey jaydos
Im not affiliated with any co. re inflatable SUPs - yet.
But I have done a lot of homework and the C4 iSUP comes up with most consistent reports from the independent riders I have spoken to.
I get the feeling it has had more R&D put into its ability to hold shape despite all the problems blow ups have to contend with.
No experience of my own talking here???
Hi Jaydos,
Have a squizz at the Hobie ATR (10'8") Inflatable and the Hobie Drifter (10') Inflatable.
I've owned a ULI board for three years and have used it heaps, and abused the living sh1t out of it with the wife and kids on holidays. We've left it in the sun for months at a time on holidays up north and it has stood up extremely well to the wanton abuse.
The Hobie ones look light years ahead in design and construction and am looking forward to when they arrive (order in for both sizes). By the sound of your needs, the Drifter may be the goods. I was speaking to Gordon from Hobie at Merimbula yesterday and he was commentating on a team rider doing helicopters on the Drifter in the waves at Ford Oval.
I'll be happy to throw up a few piccies when we get them in store.http://www.hobiesup.com.au/about/atrs/inflatable-10/
DM
Thanks to all for the valuable input. I have decided to grab a used SHUBU from Andrew @ Balmoral based on its price and the fact that it fits the majority of my requirements as a low budget beginner (especially whitewater and durability for kids) I am fully aware that I will want to upgrade to a more performance oriented hard board for surfing in the future and will have the funds to do so when I finish Uni. Thanks again
OMG i thought i was of inflatabel sUPS untill i saw the WHopper Astro and that got me all hot again. Now the Hobie looks very nice also. ANy idea when they'll be in store
Hi guys I rep and ride the www.redpaddleco.com.au inflatables, Super stoked on them and love to share the good times.
feel free to take a look and ask any questions. Actually on the road in NSW right now will put a post in events.
Nathan.
Folks, I have had ULIs, Reds and C4s, at least 6 boards over the years. I reviewed the first 11' C4 (Uli) board for the us Longboard mag when I was living in Hawaii and bought the demo after. Haven't tried a Hobie yet, but I am quite keen on my inflaitables - I've surfed them in some decent size in Indo and Hawaii. Honestly haven't found the C4 ones that great, too flat and quite bendy, even the early ones. The first Ulis were pretty flat and tended to pearl and drop their nose, probably didn't have great fin positions either, but the newer ones like the Fat Ass Quad are great, and seem to me to be far stiffer than other brands. The Red 9'4 is a great board, lots of nose rocker and locks in pretty well, but the fins tend to flex when you are pushing down a line and they don't feel as stable in bigger surf (The day I bought the Red I surfed it in 8-9 ft Raglans in NZ - got smashed a bunch of times but did make the comedy sections in 3 NZ surf mags. They love to see a cracked Aussie on an air matress get nailed).
For my money, and they do tend to be costly, I'd rate an ULI over the other boards I've tried. For stability and performance I recon it competes pretty well with my 8'10 Fanatic, and my 9'0 Stonker and is a whole lot easier to transport. Plus, I've met Jim the guy who started ULI twice and he seems like a good guy. Their customer service is second to none, he is really keen to see his products used. The early hand pumps kind of sucked, but when I told him mine wasn't functioning he shipped me a new one of the ULI branded PVC ones (which are a lot better than most) from the US for free! Stoked. Just check out the forums - lots of people rate them.
The inflaitables rock. A mate of mine killed himself with his centre fin on an 10'6 Nash at Sunset, the leggie loaded up and when his head popped up the board snapped back, chopping it pretty well in half. I didn't see it, but a mate who is a NS lifeguard told me it was one of the gnarliest things he'd ever seen. So if you can find an inflaitable that works - it is good value.
Hi Guys,
We received our first couple of Hobie Inflatable SUP's this morning. The quality of the board package is amazing for the price. So sweet.
The package consists of the board, a three piece F/glass paddle, single action high pressure pump with gauge, centre fin, repair kit and carry bag. Awesome value!
The board pumps up nice and hard and has very generous nose rocker, has a bungess tie down system on the foredeck to keep your bits and bobs stowed when on a decent adventure/explore paddle, and has a handle for carrying, and also "D" rings for tying off to boats.
It also has handles on the front, back and front quarters for dragging it all over the place.
Have a captain Cook at these piccies
Cheers,
DM
