G'day all,
I am 92 Kg and looking to start with SUP, mainly in smaller waves.
Previous surfing experience: I would be classed as a very part time malibu rider.
So I am wondering if the Naish Mana 9'5" or Hokua 9'5" would suit me. The width's and volumes of these boards are quite different. 29.5 to 31 and 140 to 190 respectively. A tad confusing for the novice.
Or some other board that you guys may suggest please.
Any ideas would be helpful.
Also is there anywhere in the wider Melbourne area where it is possible to demo a board in surf, not just in the bay?
Cheers
The mana is the perfect learners board. The 9.5 is super stable and surfs really well for a wide large volume board. I tried the hokua and found it to be much harder to balance and catch waves on. I am 106 kg so heavier than you. The hokua is obviously a more performance oriented board, but may be too hard to start with. I reckon the 9.5 mana will get you into surfing quickly and painlessly. When you master it and want a more performance oriented board then the hokau along with heaps of new shorter sups would come into play. I love my manas but they along with the hokuas have remained virtually unchanged for the past 3 years. There are so many new sups coming onto the market that are shorter, more stable and beter performing for us heavier guys, that i think you will be selling yourself short if you only look at the hokua. In my opinion its a great board for a lighter rider but there are other options out there. The new cabrihnas in the 10.2' the allwave that leroy reviewed, the new starboard 9.5 will all surf really well while still comfortably floating 92 kg. As an aside i have been surfing for over 30 years on short boards and was in my day a competent surfer. With that experience i still found the hokua much more difficult to surf than the mana and much harder to catch waves on. Starting out i reckon you just want to catch waves easily, get over the whitewater, hone your take offs and bottom turns and stand up more than fall off. The mana will do all of that and more. It is such an easy board to surf that you will learn the basics quickly and enjoy youre time in the water. I reckon the hokua might frustrate yoy too much because it is a harder board to learn on.
Good luck with your decision
I've been checking these 2 boards out as well, and am also closer to 100kg.
I agree largely with Sameh, based on what you've said, and in the absence of other info, i'd say go Mana. As you improve, you'll still enjoy your Mana. If the Hokua is too advanced, it will likely be too frustrating.
While the Mana has been largely unchanged, the new Hokua is a different beast. For me, the Mana has much more float, is much more stable and is a 'on top of the water' experience. While the New Hokua was 'in the water' and much more responsive. As a result, In rougher waters, i was usually on an edge and stabilizing. If you are surfing smaller, beginner waves, i think the decision is relatively easy, Mana. IMO, the Hokua needs a little size to show off its upside.
IMO.. defiantly the 9'5" Mana.. It's such a great board and I think it would be perfect for your weight and for what you're after.
DJ
Thanks for all the great advice, appreciate it. Looks like the Mana is it for me.
Cheers
Definitely mana over hokua if your just starting out and interested in smaller waves. The hokua can be next years Xmas present to yourself.
My choices would be - Starboard 9.5 x 32 Widepoint or Cabrinha 9.8 x 31.5 C-series. I haven't ridden either yet but they both have excellent performance shapes and plenty of volume in the right places. The Starboard Element 9.8 x 30 is also an awesome board and would certainly be worth a try
The 9'5" Mana is definitely one of the best all-round boards on the market. I would definitely recommend going for the Mana with your weight. The Hokua is quite an advanced board. In the smaller waves you will struggle on the 9'5" Hokua. With more volume in the nose...the Mana will let you get onto the waves heaps easier!
Good Luck
Marcel
