Hey AA
i was wondering if you could give a newbie wannabe sup surfer a little advice. I'm looking at getting something from the sunnova range and was leaning towards the speed (8.10 as I,m about 90kgs in gear and 6.3 tall) as I've been taken by the whole sup like a short board idea.
However, I've also been looking at the Style (9.6) as it's been suggested that it is better to learn to surf on a longboard type board. although longer, the light weight and low volume look pretty good on this board (from my rookie point of view) which suggests manoeuvrability and I guess that would mean getting more waves from further out.
The other factor is that it's likely my most regular surf spot will be a beach break, although I'm planning to range around the auckland East coast, so a figured something under 9ft would be better.
Im keen to hear your view, as well as others, as you have obviously sold a few of both boards.
Cheers
HB

Ping me a mail if you want more details cause I live in Auckland & I've got a 10' Style / 8'10 Speeed + 8'5 Speeed which I'm happy to show you in the flesh. I went through the whole 9'6 vs 10' Style debate so I'm happy to give you my feedback. At your weight & more importantly height, the 9'6 could be a bit of a challenge at 112l (you can always try my 8'5 Speeed as a comparison althgouh the 9'6 should offer a bit more stability) + the 10' surfs really well & picks up those little rollers which at the end of the day are the most prevelant conditions on the east coast....unless of course you venture further north

SUPing
thanks very much for your reply and I'll drop you a message. Yes I had been thinking this morning that 112lt might be a bit ambitious.

to everyone else, sorry about talking Sunova in the middle of a Laird thread. Having read the thread properly this morning it sounds like the Lairds shape is really great and there is lots more scope in this performance longboad style of SUP than I thought.
Cheers Hamish

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HBsups said..
Hey AA
i was wondering if you could give a newbie wannabe sup surfer a little advice. I'm looking at getting something from the sunnova range and was leaning towards the speed (8.10 as I,m about 90kgs in gear and 6.3 tall) as I've been taken by the whole sup like a short board idea.
However, I've also been looking at the Style (9.6) as it's been suggested that it is better to learn to surf on a longboard type board. although longer, the light weight and low volume look pretty good on this board (from my rookie point of view) which suggests manoeuvrability and I guess that would mean getting more waves from further out.
The other factor is that it's likely my most regular surf spot will be a beach break, although I'm planning to range around the auckland East coast, so a figured something under 9ft would be better.
Im keen to hear your view, as well as others, as you have obviously sold a few of both boards.
Cheers
HB

Hey Hamish, sorry for the slow response. Been board testing.
Sounds like you could end up with a couple of boards as you progress. I would always recommend putting versatility high on the list for the first board you buy.
This will allow you to go out no matter what the conditions and catch the smallest waves.
At your height and weight the 10' Style is perfect. This board doesn't not feel like 10' as it has a very low swing weight is very playful for its size. Also if you go under 10' at your height and weight you will really lose the longboard feel and the versatility of the longer board for picking up the smaller waves
Learning on the bigger boards really hones your skills too for when you step down in size into a board like the SPEEED.

Don't be afraid to draw out the learning process, it is one of the best things about SUP - progressing.

Your actually spoilt being able to go straight in and buy these boards. For some of us it has been a long journey to find boards of this quality, weight and versatility without taking out a mortgage.

Gotta love how the sport just keeps progressing!

Don't worry. the Lairds will be back and this thread will kick off all over again

AA
Thanks for your advice. Your post has given me a fair bit to think about, particularly the point about progressing from long boards to short boards.
I have to admit though that, even though I've spent much of this week reading about everyone having a great time styling on longboards, i'm still really struggling to generate the enthusiasm for dropping the dollars on a 10ft board - even if it is the smart long term move. That's especially when I keep encountering posts about people loving the Speed!

Negotiations with the household treasurer suggest low prospects of building a surf sup quiver anytime soon. I guess I also feel like if the waves are small I'll jump on my Glide and go touring instead.

Anyway, I will keep thinking about it. Thinking about paddle boards beats thinking about work!
Cheers, Hamish
Ps I enjoyed the touring vid in the 'why we sup' thread

Just thought I'd put my 2 cents in.
After contemplating for a while, I finally purchased a 9'6" Laird. Instant love. The board is extremely versatile, is stable, gets onto waves easily, handles late drops very well and rides incredibly. So loose for its size.
just what a wanted a longboard style SUP that surfs like my HP longboard.
recommended!

Have Laird brought out a new surfer, pics in Sup Journal Laird advert look different, well at least the colours but nothing new on the website

I heard they have...New construction plus another size in the line up....Can't find anything definitive on them tho...Be very keen to find out as you can't buy the current one for love or money...and they have been very popular around here...so hope they keep making them

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Rossall said..
Have Laird brought out a new surfer, pics in Sup Journal Laird advert look different, well at least the colours but nothing new on the website

The new Laird Range has been designed by Terry Chung & Laird......
The construction is different as all boards are now moulded so no hand layed up boards in the range like the EPS surfer model was in the Bob Pearson designed surfer.

We trialled the surrator about a year ago in the new carbon/PVC construction and it went really good in small waves, loose yet drivey.
The surfer model also goes insane as usual and still has that classic Laird Nose rider feel.

Laird has also changed factories and country of manufacture.

Anyone tried to repair deck on the composite bamboo Surfers??? Seems like such a waste to not try and save it from land fill.
Pretty cancerous most of stringer/ bamboo Vaneer junction cracked, carrying handle, leash plug and possibly vent all leaking. Poorly inserted carrying handle maybe started the rot along stringer???? Vent sus
Was thinking maybe pull grip off and fill with Sikaflex and stick grip back down. Hope for the best.
Board a bit heavier but still works.

Yet another laird falling apart.

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broadman said...
Yet another laird falling apart.

Yes some issues but still surfs a treat. Anyone tried something like Sikaflex???? I met a builder over Christmas who used it successfully for minor dings. When it comes to the Laird...Where the deck is collapsing around the stringer and Vaneer is suffering I think re glassing will just crack. Something with a bit of give may work??

Are the 2016 laird's still having construction issues? I was looking at a 10' as part of a two board quiver and the sunova speed 8 5' but after reading the initial enthusiasm it looks like not a sensible buy.

Jon

Believe the new ones are but these are not on web site yet only shown in a couple SUP magazines

Changed factory and country for manufacture

Great boards, wait if you can to get the new version

How would the laird compare to the Sunova Style?

Jon

Id go laird with out a doubt, as long as they have the construction issue sorted. But I carnt wait that long so I'm going Deep. Still have the 11ft laird surfer which is the older surftech model. No issues with that one