Hi all Im wanting to get some advice on what shortboard SUP I should upgrade to. Im 70kg about 168cm tall and low intermediate SUP surfer. I am looking for something 120-135 L range around 8'6-8'10". I have Supped on a Trigger Bros 8'6" 135L board for a few years but I traded it in on a bigger version as I thought it would help me improve. At 170 l it catches anything (as my local break doesnt get too big) and have had some long rides on it but I want to get something more maneuverable. I have been looking at Sunova Speeds, I have demoed a 8'10 Hipster twin and at SHQ they have some new 2016 JP Fusions at 8'5x130L. I am wanting a board I can keep for a few years and will surf in small conditions but also can take on bigger stuff. I dont want to go too small and have to sit out the back and wait for waves as I prefer to catch as many as I can as practice make perfect. Most of the spots I go to at the moment a fairly gentle point breaks like Pt Leo and Pt Roadknight but I am hoping to get into bigger stuff when my skill level gets better. Advice would be much appreciated.

I am 70kg and a few cm taller than you and I have had a 8'5 Striker for about 3 yrs which i am a big fan of. I use it in small slop to well overhead conditions on Sydney's Northern Beaches and have never really felt that it is not the right board. Stability is good in choppy conditions and because of the nose shape i find that getting weaker waves is no problem as you can step forward on take off to get it heading down the face. If i ever get round to upgrading it will likely be to a smaller JL Destroyer but foiling has suddenly got in the way of upgrade plans!

At your height, weight and wish list, I urge you to consider the Sunova Placid, I think it's a great match for what you want.
8'7 x 31.5 @ 125 L
8'10 x 32.25 @ 135 L (may be too big for you, as it is one of my go-to boards at 107 kg)

One of my favorites: very stable, plus great performance and comfort in wonk or clean conditions.
Search YouTube for my Placid Review to see it in a range of conditions. (Rick Weeks channel)

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supthecreek said..
At your height, weight and wish list, I urge you to consider the Sunova Placid, I think it's a great match for what you want.
8'7 x 31.5 @ 125 L
8'10 x 32.25 @ 135 L (may be too big for you, as it is one of my go-to boards at 107 kg)

One of my favorites: very stable, plus great performance and comfort in wonk or clean conditions.
Search YouTube for my Placid Review to see it in a range of conditions. (Rick Weeks channel)

Thanks Rick I watched some of those videos and there are still some Placids available. They look like a great board. I have a Speed ready for a Demo but the weather and surf have turned to ****.

My experience completely echos what Rick says - the Placid is super stable and deals with all sorts of horrible water conditions, but when it gets going, it is superb off the thin tail. 8'7 is the perfect one board quiver for me. I could have gone smaller, but might have wound up with a lower wave count.

I have just put a deposit on a Sunova Placid xxx.

Mate, please let us know how it goes. I'm similar size, weight and ability to you and trying to find the best next board for me. Has to right as it will probably be my last. Cheers, Jimbo.

8'7 Placid is still my favourite board ...you basically get a wide board thats short ...its just easy to use ...a loose board and very easy to turn on a nothing wave ...I like the tail ...thinned out and narrow ...I do have a 8'8 flow too ..but switching from one to the other ...the placid you don't have to think too much ,it just does it ...the flow is a little more technical to use ,but does reward you with some snappy turns ..
If i want to have a relaxing day just having fun on small lumpy days the placid is what I grab ...hope you enjoy it liz man ,

Lizard man I know this may be a little late however ... I had my first go on a 9x30 revolution today .. I'm old and 96 kegs. It's an awesome board and for the spots you surf I would recommend highly over the placid. it is very stable, has good glide, with the thin rails and tail turns like a short board and can even get some nose riding time. Iam not sure the placid rocker would suit the small soft ptleo/Shoreham wave.

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bomberdave said..
Lizard man I know this may be a little late however ... I had my first go on a 9x30 revolution today .. I'm old and 96 kegs. It's an awesome board and for the spots you surf I would recommend highly over the placid. it is very stable, has good glide, with the thin rails and tail turns like a short board and can even get some nose riding time. Iam not sure the placid rocker would suit the small soft ptleo/Shoreham wave.

Thanks mate I have also just purchased 2019 10' x 29 Starboard longboard in as new condition from a forum member. I am hoping to take it for a spin early next week and see how she goes. I am also hoping to go back over Torquay way for a few days of surfing plus some longer trips later in the year. I have only put a deposit on the Placid but Ive watched a few vids and read a few reports and it seems all positive. Im hoping like Captain Jimbo that it will be a longserving and last board. Thanks for the input.

just in case you missed my one

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Tardy said..

just in case you missed my one

Awesome mate i hope to get that good on it. Where are you supping in that vid

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bomberdave said..
Lizard man I know this may be a little late however ... I had my first go on a 9x30 revolution today .. I'm old and 96 kegs. It's an awesome board and for the spots you surf I would recommend highly over the placid. it is very stable, has good glide, with the thin rails and tail turns like a short board and can even get some nose riding time. Iam not sure the placid rocker would suit the small soft ptleo/Shoreham wave.

I haven't been able to get out to the surf beaches thanks to **** weather and the lock down. I have put a deposit on a 8"7 Placid but have been reading reviews on the Jimmy Lewis Destroyer which sounds like a perfect board for me also. Easy to increase skill levels as has good volume for a shotgun board.

Hi Lizardman, I think you will have a lot of fun and will catch everything with your stats on the Placid 8'7!

Coming from someone that has 2 JL Destroyers, It's just like this, that there are a lot of good boards out there that will improve your skill level. And to search the "perfect" board is unfortunately for everyone slightly different, depending on e.g. skill, wave conditions, health condition, etc.. Some people have a "one-board-quiver" and others have 5 boards for every different condition out there.

Testing, trying is the key to find your favorite board that meets your requirements, you have already stood on a very good board, the Smik Hipster twin. According to some reviews is it one of the best boards out there, in the review against top brands Supboarder highly recommends this board to improve your sup surfing.

I'm just on the Jimmy Lewis Destroyer hype-train, Rick will probably suggest a good Sunova, Colas will advise a very good Gong and all those boards will work great.

So with the Sunova Placid will you do yourself an absolute favor to ripe those waves apart and when you're skill level is catching up you'll just exchange it for another perfect board. I've done it myself to find the absolute best board for me out there, but in the end, is it you that has to make it work.

Just my 2 cents and conclusion, don't stare blind on the reviews from others.

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estingo said..
Hi Lizardman, I think you will have a lot of fun and will catch everything with your stats on the Placid 8'7!

Coming from someone that has 2 JL Destroyers, It's just like this, that there are a lot of good boards out there that will improve your skill level. And to search the "perfect" board is unfortunately for everyone slightly different, depending on e.g. skill, wave conditions, health condition, etc.. Some people have a "one-board-quiver" and others have 5 boards for every different condition out there.

Testing, trying is the key to find your favorite board that meets your requirements, you have already stood on a very good board, the Smik Hipster twin. According to some reviews is it one of the best boards out there, in the review against top brands Supboarder highly recommends this board to improve your sup surfing.

I'm just on the Jimmy Lewis Destroyer hype-train, Rick will probably suggest a good Sunova, Colas will advise a very good Gong and all those boards will work great.

So with the Sunova Placid will you do yourself an absolute favor to ripe those waves apart and when you're skill level is catching up you'll just exchange it for another perfect board. I've done it myself to find the absolute best board for me out there, but in the end, is it you that has to make it work.

Just my 2 cents and conclusion, don't stare blind on the reviews from others.

So so Right with Whats Right for YOU .
my father had a sign above the winery tasting bar saying
" The BEST wine is the one YOU like BEST "
I am still interested in trying more boards

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estingo said..
Hi Lizardman, I think you will have a lot of fun and will catch everything with your stats on the Placid 8'7!

Coming from someone that has 2 JL Destroyers, It's just like this, that there are a lot of good boards out there that will improve your skill level. And to search the "perfect" board is unfortunately for everyone slightly different, depending on e.g. skill, wave conditions, health condition, etc.. Some people have a "one-board-quiver" and others have 5 boards for every different condition out there.

Testing, trying is the key to find your favorite board that meets your requirements, you have already stood on a very good board, the Smik Hipster twin. According to some reviews is it one of the best boards out there, in the review against top brands Supboarder highly recommends this board to improve your sup surfing.

I'm just on the Jimmy Lewis Destroyer hype-train, Rick will probably suggest a good Sunova, Colas will advise a very good Gong and all those boards will work great.

So with the Sunova Placid will you do yourself an absolute favor to ripe those waves apart and when you're skill level is catching up you'll just exchange it for another perfect board. I've done it myself to find the absolute best board for me out there, but in the end, is it you that has to make it work.

Just my 2 cents and conclusion, don't stare blind on the reviews from others.

Cheers mate Im spending too much time in isolation and not enough time in the surf. You can only ride one board at at= time. thanks for your input.

You're welcome and I know the feeling of spending too much time, scrolling through the internet reading review after review. Here are for 5 weeks now not really waves to surf. You are exactly right you can ride one board at a time! Once you have it let us know your feedback and write a review yourself as well on the Placid, it would be fun.

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Tardy said..

just in case you missed my one

Hi Tardy and Supthecreek I finally paid for the Placid 8'7" I had put a deposit on and picked it up yesterday. A work of art really. I was wondering what fin set up you guys are using, it comes with 105, 83 pairs and 64 rear. The 105s look too big for a little fella like myself. I cant wait to try it out but its effing cold and wet here now. Cheers hope you are well.

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Lizardman said..

Tardy said..

just in case you missed my one

Hi Tardy and Supthecreek I finally paid for the Placid 8'7" I had put a deposit on and picked it up yesterday. A work of art really. I was wondering what fin set up you guys are using, it comes with 105, 83 pairs and 64 rear. The 105s look too big for a little fella like myself. I cant wait to try it out but its effing cold and wet here now. Cheers hope you are well.

The waves will b pumpin in vicco tomoz lizardman

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LastSupper said..

Lizardman said..

Tardy said..

just in case you missed my one

Hi Tardy and Supthecreek I finally paid for the Placid 8'7" I had put a deposit on and picked it up yesterday. A work of art really. I was wondering what fin set up you guys are using, it comes with 105, 83 pairs and 64 rear. The 105s look too big for a little fella like myself. I cant wait to try it out but its effing cold and wet here now. Cheers hope you are well.

The waves will b pumpin in vicco tomoz lizardman

Where are you Supping mate? It will be chokkas down at Pt Leo and peninsula, school holidays and all the Byron's and Tristan's will be down at there holiday homes so mummy can take them to the beach in her new BMW SUV.

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LastSupper said..

Lizardman said..

Tardy said..

just in case you missed my one

Hi Tardy and Supthecreek I finally paid for the Placid 8'7" I had put a deposit on and picked it up yesterday. A work of art really. I was wondering what fin set up you guys are using, it comes with 105, 83 pairs and 64 rear. The 105s look too big for a little fella like myself. I cant wait to try it out but its effing cold and wet here now. Cheers hope you are well.

The waves will b pumpin in vicco tomoz lizardman

Hey Lizardman .yes too big for me too ..I'm 95 Kgs and use a set of large ,thrusters ..or a quad set up ,in the QUAD size for FCS .I use & fronts 7's (large)
and 3,4, 5 rears ..(mediums )depends on the size of waves ..I change my rear fins a bit ..
hope you enjoy your new ride .

the 83 are the same size as 7's ..so use those and get some smaller rears ..you will be throwing it around like a dog with a doll in its mouth ..

come over to gippsland lizardman...I had four days in a row last week, mixed conditions and used every board in the quiver....and to think the wife said thats ridiculous having four boards you will never use them

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bomberdave said..
come over to gippsland lizardman...I had four days in a row last week, mixed conditions and used every board in the quiver....and to think the wife said thats ridiculous having four boards you will never use them

Where in Gippsland mate, Inverloch?. I'll hopefully get a chance to go out over the next few weeks even though I won't have a drivers license.

Lizardman. I think you'll like the Placid. I don't ride one but I know a guy around 70 years of age that rides one in knee high weak waves to just head high waves.
He picks up the waves easily & turns easily with it. He is not the most agile surfer either. He is probably around 70 kgs in weight.

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Seajuice said..
Lizardman. I think you'll like the Placid. I don't ride one but I know a guy around 70 years of age that rides one in knee high weak waves to just head high waves.
He picks up the waves easily & turns easily with it. He is not the most agile surfer either. He is probably around 70 kgs in weight.

Hey Seajuice. Any idea what size Placid he's on? I'm similar age and weight and still on the lookout for my "forever" sup. Cheers, Jimbo.

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CaptainJimbo said..

Seajuice said..
Lizardman. I think you'll like the Placid. I don't ride one but I know a guy around 70 years of age that rides one in knee high weak waves to just head high waves.
He picks up the waves easily & turns easily with it. He is not the most agile surfer either. He is probably around 70 kgs in weight.

Hey Seajuice. Any idea what size Placid he's on? I'm similar age and weight and still on the lookout for my "forever" sup. Cheers, Jimbo.

I bought an 8'7" Placid 125 litres, I havent taken it out yet but hopefully after the school holidays end.

Following this with interest as I plan to look at a new SUP late Summer here in the UK. A Sunova is certainly a possibility which includes the Placid, along with others in the range. Conditions are garbage in the main. Small, blown out slop interlaced with chop. Odd occasion I get to travel to better breaks but again I end up trying in whatever conditions face me at the time, which again is usually not the best. One observation on Sunova and I'm wondering if anyone else sees it in a similar fashion. Their range is extensive, so much so that actually sifting through the range and deciding which is best? I mean I look and could genuinely pick 5 of them depending on my mood that day. Too much coffee and that choice could change every half hour. Fantastic to have such a choice of top quality boards but for simple idiots like me the choice is a tough one.

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N00N00 said..
Following this with interest as I plan to look at a new SUP late Summer here in the UK. A Sunova is certainly a possibility which includes the Placid, along with others in the range. Conditions are garbage in the main. Small, blown out slop interlaced with chop. Odd occasion I get to travel to better breaks but again I end up trying in whatever conditions face me at the time, which again is usually not the best. One observation on Sunova and I'm wondering if anyone else sees it in a similar fashion. Their range is extensive, so much so that actually sifting through the range and deciding which is best? I mean I look and could genuinely pick 5 of them depending on my mood that day. Too much coffee and that choice could change every half hour. Fantastic to have such a choice of top quality boards but for simple idiots like me the choice is a tough one.

I have a Jimmy Lewis super Frank which I love in the conditions you've explained. You might like the shroom as well.

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jvriesinga said..

N00N00 said..
Following this with interest as I plan to look at a new SUP late Summer here in the UK. A Sunova is certainly a possibility which includes the Placid, along with others in the range. Conditions are garbage in the main. Small, blown out slop interlaced with chop. Odd occasion I get to travel to better breaks but again I end up trying in whatever conditions face me at the time, which again is usually not the best. One observation on Sunova and I'm wondering if anyone else sees it in a similar fashion. Their range is extensive, so much so that actually sifting through the range and deciding which is best? I mean I look and could genuinely pick 5 of them depending on my mood that day. Too much coffee and that choice could change every half hour. Fantastic to have such a choice of top quality boards but for simple idiots like me the choice is a tough one.

I have a Jimmy Lewis super Frank which I love in the conditions you've explained. You might like the shroom as well.

Thanks jvr

Both are on my possibles list which is quite healthy and growing at the moment. Most brands seem to boast about having boards that work in conditions at my local. Sifting through all of that and working out what is best for you is a tough call when you're lacking the experience and dont really know what you want or need.Looking at the Sunova line up - One, Placid, Skate, Shroom, Steeze or even a larger Speeed might all fit the bill. From Jimmy Lewis I'm looking at the Super Frank and the Striker.

Sorry for the thread hijack. This needs to stay all about Lizardman and his experiences with the Placid.

All good mate I'm in a similar position to you, my local break can be great when mother nature's kind but it's often very windy and extremely tide dependent. Couple this with the boom in holiday makers and work from homers I don't get out there much. I don't bother on weekends anymore but I'm hoping to go out supping tomorrow. I have the new Placid and I also purchased a second hand Starboard 10' longboard and am hoping to have a couple of weeks surfing somewhere up the coast, dependent on lock down so of course.

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Lizardman said..
All good mate I'm in a similar position to you, my local break can be great when mother nature's kind but it's often very windy and extremely tide dependent. Couple this with the boom in holiday makers and work from homers I don't get out there much. I don't bother on weekends anymore but I'm hoping to go out supping tomorrow. I have the new Placid and I also purchased a second hand Starboard 10' longboard and am hoping to have a couple of weeks surfing somewhere up the coast, dependent on lock down so of course.

Mate, looking forward to reading your assessments of both boards. Once summer kicks in I'll start my search. your experience of the Placid might save me a lot of time.
Cheers, Jimbo