My wife is buying a board at the moment and we are a little stuck as to what to get her.
She is new to the sport and has rented some boards a few times, she has no problems with balance and using them, we have only used them on flat water and I expect most of the time that's all she will do with the new board.

We were looking at about 9.6ft x 30" she did really want a particular pattern of board but this pattern only comes with the surf board nose, I am really not sure if this will be a problem, I have seen the rounded boards are more stable surf board less so.

But how much of an impact does it really have, does it have an impact in just flat water paddling ? will it effect speed or anything ?

This is just a beginner board for her and we are not spending over 1k for including the carbon paddle.

she is small and light so the board will be fine for here apparently if I want to jump on as well it will hold me ok, me being 90kg and 6ft.

any suggestions would be helpful.

Fanatic fly wood would be perfect. At 10'x 30 Is good on flat water and not half bad in the surf. Look it up on Fanatic website.

Or a starboard element 9'8"x30". I have surfed 6-8ft angourie on it, fished off it and caught waves with kids on the front. Everyone's a winner.

any feedback on the nose on it ?

You should definitely look for a pointed nose, it will be more pleasant for flat water, especially with some chop.

Look for "fitness" boards that are like the 12'6" racing boards but smaller (for easier handling and storage) and often stabler. They are typically around 10'6' - 11'

Or the "Hybrids" that are somewhat a crossover between a surf shape and a flat water shape.
- Nah Skwell has the fitness line http://www.nahskwell-sup.com/fitness/
- PSH had the hull paddlers (I guess not made anymore)
- Bic has the "cross" /0.jpg
- Gong (not available out of France) has the "Perv"
- etc... I think other brands also have this sort of crossover board combining the comptacness and stability (wide nose) of a surf shape and the efficiency of flat water hulls

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Mark0 said..
any feedback on the nose on it ?

You can stay there til you get sick of it, they're pretty stable. The new shape looks good and I think you could pick an older one up second hand pretty easily.

Starboard has a new touring range for that. User-friendly, small, stable and fast: 10'6 x 29'5 Pocket Touring and 9'6 x 29.5' Pocket Touring.



















They should be available in Australia soon

Going by some suggestions I guess folks missed the " not spending over $1000" by the OP......

Have a look at the adventure from GSI, spent a couple of hours paddling the 9'8" yesterday, low rocker and not round nosed so paddle well in the flat and no slap when paddling into the breeze, I've surffed the 8'4" which was ok and they come in on budget

http://www.surfindustries.com/shop/au/surf/all-rounder/adventure-paddleboarding-all-rounder-sup-9-8/#

Ironing board should be all she needs

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Mark0 said..
My wife is buying a board at the moment and we are a little stuck as to what to get her.
She is new to the sport and has rented some boards a few times, she has no problems with balance and using them, we have only used them on flat water and I expect most of the time that's all she will do with the new board.

We were looking at about 9.6ft x 30" she did really want a particular pattern of board but this pattern only comes with the surf board nose, I am really not sure if this will be a problem, I have seen the rounded boards are more stable surf board less so.

But how much of an impact does it really have, does it have an impact in just flat water paddling ? will it effect speed or anything ?

This is just a beginner board for her and we are not spending over 1k for including the carbon paddle.

she is small and light so the board will be fine for here apparently if I want to jump on as well it will hold me ok, me being 90kg and 6ft.

any suggestions would be helpful.

Where in Aust are you Mark? I'm thinking of selling mine - used once , and I'm not expecting $1000 for it !!!!!!! I'll try to put pics up a details.

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Souselas said..
Starboard has a new touring range for that. User-friendly, small, stable and fast: 10'6 x 29'5 Pocket Touring and 9'6 x 29.5' Pocket Touring.

How light do you have to be to have fun on the 9'6"? Better speed on the 10'6"? Anything else you can add regarding the Pocket Touring would be appreciated.

"New Board For Wife."

If I'm going to swap my new board, I'd need to know the dimensions of your wife.

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Mark0 said..
My wife is buying a board at the moment and we are a little stuck as to what to get her.
She is new to the sport and has rented some boards a few times, she has no problems with balance and using them, we have only used them on flat water and I expect most of the time that's all she will do with the new board.

We were looking at about 9.6ft x 30" she did really want a particular pattern of board but this pattern only comes with the surf board nose, I am really not sure if this will be a problem, I have seen the rounded boards are more stable surf board less so.

But how much of an impact does it really have, does it have an impact in just flat water paddling ? will it effect speed or anything ?

This is just a beginner board for her and we are not spending over 1k for including the carbon paddle.

she is small and light so the board will be fine for here apparently if I want to jump on as well it will hold me ok, me being 90kg and 6ft.

any suggestions would be helpful.

I'm selling mine - $600 neg but can't get it to QLD