Hi folks,
I've been obsessively reading your forums for a few weeks now and I've finally decided to go for it and purchase a SUP!
I'm a surfer girl now for 6 years and just recently have started trying SUP on flat open ocean and slightly protected ocean. I've only been a few times, mostly on large soft top SUPs but I've also tried smaller 10ft SUPs and found them more manoeverable.
I've got my heart set on a Naish board, so I'm looking for help choosing from their lineup. (Thanks in advance!!!!) :)
I'm 5'6, approximately 130-135 lbs. I am comfortable surfing small and big waves, and generally haven't had many problems with balance on any SUPs I've tried.
I only have budget to purchase one board so I'd like to start with an intermediate board that I can grow into. I will be using it for both flat open ocean paddling as well as I'd like to be able to paddle it into knee or waist high waves.
Originally I was eyeing the Naish Alana 10'6 but after reading the forums quite a bit, it seems too big for surfing. So I'm now leaning towards the Naish Mana 9'5" as the width seems like it would be stable and not too long. My concerns are if it would either be too big or too small for me, or too wide? Would it be difficult to paddle on the open ocean?
Also, for paddles, I'm eyeing a Boardworks paddle that is the shorter wider shape.
Thanks in advance for your help and I really appreciate all the great posts and advice around here!!!!!
Ah, sorry couple more quick notes. The Naish Mana I'm considering is a 2012 Mana AST (I hear this is the same as the GS)... is there any reason to get the 2014 or will this suit just fine? (there is a great deal on this board right now)
Also, from what I read, potentially I can swap out fins on this board between surfing and flat water paddling to get more out of one board? If so, what fin setup do you recommend for surfing small waves vs. flat open ocean?
Select to expand quotecmykink said..
Ah, sorry couple more quick notes. The Naish Mana I'm considering is a 2012 Mana AST (I hear this is the same as the GS)... is there any reason to get the 2014 or will this suit just fine? (there is a great deal on this board right now)
Also, from what I read, potentially I can swap out fins on this board between surfing and flat water paddling to get more out of one board? If so, what fin setup do you recommend for surfing small waves vs. flat open ocean?
The 9'5'' Mana would be perfect.. and concider the Naish Alana paddle.. It's awesome and a pretty good price.
The new 2014 9'5" Mana is a much better board than the old 9'5" Mana (still a great board).. It's now a new shape.
DJ
Thank you for the quick reply! :) What do you like about the Alana paddle? I noticed it's more of a longer thinner shape than the Boardworks ones which are shorter and wider.
Also, what is the shape difference with the 2014 Mana?
Skinny shaft.. Small blade.. Great paddle... Feels good to paddle with.
I've seen a few of the board works paddles break.. Bigger blade.. and don't feel so good to paddle with... IMO
The new Shape Mana's are very different.. Rocker shape.. Tail shape.. Nose shape.. and 1" wider.. I've heard they surf much better.. I'm thinking about getting the Alana version of the 9'5" for my daughter.. So I can use it.. 
DJ
Hi
As a 5'7 similar weight as you, I started on the 9'5 mana and found that it was a great board to start out on but I grew out of it very quickly! I found it was easy to use for flat water and getting on a wave but it was too big a board for me to manoeuvre once I was on a wave. So I would consider the next size down if your heart is set on the Nash or the 'pro wave' board with less volume.
