Gday people,
I'm really interested in starting prone paddle boarding but can't find any advice on where to start or what sort of board I should get.
Any advice would be unreal as the retail shops on the Northern Beaches of Sydney haven't been able to provide any information at all about the sport or where I can find a board.
If it helps I'm 6 foot and weigh 70 kilos. Have surfed my whole life so have plenty of experience in the water.
Cheers,
DEE WHY

Deep do one, various volume dependant on weight.
Here
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/DEEP-12--Horizon?page=1

hi DeeWhy,

For prone paddling you have three options on style of board
1. clubby board - 10'6" relatively stable and made for sprint style paddling in and out of the surf - if you are interested in getting involved with your local surf lifesaving club this is the go - leading brand in NSW is Kracka
2. 12ft boards 'stock' boards - the go to length for ocean paddling and should you ever want to tackle a few races - generally less table with pin tails but don't take long to get the hang of - particular fun for downwind coast runs, very efficient and it's all about grabbing every but of chop to assist - these are perfect for any surfer wanting to have fun in the ocean and stay fit between swells - leading brand is Bark - but the other clubby based brand s such as Kracka, Deep, JM can make these boards
3. unlimited boards are 12ft plus, anything from 16-18ft, and have rudders rather than a fixed fin - like a bigger stock board, but more expensive and harder to handle - full custom jobs by variety of manufacturers

The scene is small so it's a case of finding who around your local beaches is paddling. There's a crew south Sydney that paddle regularly 'prone pirates' on FB - north side you'll have to start asking around.

We sell the Bark boards Australia wide and have stock in all sizes of the 12ft stock boards (held in Torquay, Sydney and Noosa). There's three sizes with changes in width/thickness to accomodate for different weights. At 70kgs you are in the middle and perfect weight for their Pro Elite
surftech.com/prone/prone-categories
Then the choice is in construction - standard construction (the red one) or the 'ghost' carbon (the green one) which is a little lighter, stronger and stiffer.

Hope this helps. Get into it. The races are great fun with more and more of the ski/sup races around Australia adding prone divisions.

cheers
wes
wes@nalusurf.com.au

Hey mate,Prone paddling and DWing is one of the purest forms of padding you can do.
The DEEP Horizon 12ft is a great allrounder and has a number of titles under it's belt.
(it comes in a 70, 80 and 90kg sizes)

If you're keen to look/talk about one you can drop by the BOS skis factory in Warriewood and they can sort out a demo for you.Or give them a call on 02 9979 3607.

Any issues shoot me a PM.

www.deepoceanboards.com/horizon/

Some good advice already there for you. Wes' post is helpful. Not sure where you live but there are a few in Bondi and North Bondi surf club who regularly paddle prone boards. A 12' stock board from Bark, Kracka or Deep would be a good start. You can often find second hand ones on Geartrade. Ruddered unlimited boards are more expensive and a little more difficult to get used to.

I have now idea but I'm interested in how a 12 ft prone board would measure up against a 12 ft downwinding style board for speed in paddling and general comfort of use. I have only ever surfed on short boards but seriously considering something else for fitness when there is no waves and like the sound of prone paddling but there must be a reason why there is not many around?

Lots of ski paddlers which is a craft that looks very efficient but sitting for prolonged periods looks hard on the lower back.

OC1 looks like a very cumbersome craft to transport.

I would really like someone with some knowledge to start another thread comparing (good & bad) all 4 different style of craft.

Thanks

Select to expand quote

CTS67 said..
I have now idea but I'm interested in how a 12 ft prone board would measure up against a 12 ft downwinding style board for speed in paddling and general comfort of use. I have only ever surfed on short boards but seriously considering something else for fitness when there is no waves and like the sound of prone paddling but there must be a reason why there is not many around?

Lots of ski paddlers which is a craft that looks very efficient but sitting for prolonged periods looks hard on the lower back.

OC1 looks like a very cumbersome craft to transport.

I would really like someone with some knowledge to start another thread comparing (good & bad) all 4 different style of craft.

Thanks

http://www.ridingbumps.com/2015/04/01/which-is-faster-prone-or-sup/

Just found this article which just about sums it up !!!

Select to expand quote

CTS67 said..
I have only ever surfed on short boards but seriously considering something else for fitness

Avoid prone paddling then:
- it only exercises a small part of your body
- it hurts your body, you risk getting plenty of crippling back/neck problems when you get older.

I would recommend to learn the prone paddling techniques however. It is an invaluable safety measure to know how to prone paddle a SUP board efficiently to get back to shore in case of problems (broken paddle, sudden winds, lower body injuries, rescueing people by paddling both on a SUP...)

For fitness, just do flat water paddling with your short SUPs: you get a complete workout in less time than on a race board, plus you develop useful balance and technique directly usable in surf sessions.

For prone paddleboards, the inflatable ones are a nice solution for training (not racing): they are gentler on the ribs and knees, on top of the obvious storage issues. Plus trying to standing SUP-paddle a paddle board is a great balance training for boring summer days!

i don't reckon my back could handle prone paddling .or knees ..
paddle boarding is way easier ...and great for the back muscles ,arms ,shoulders , legs etc..
if i want exercise ,i flat water paddle a 11.6 glide ,or 14 foot boards .
going for a flat water paddle on a short say 9 foot 125 litre board as colas said is also a great work out .

paddle board is a fantastic sport ..get into it

I surf mine most of the time ,which i'm sure if you like waves too ,you would enjoy it .

i like your photo ..

Select to expand quote

CTS67 said..
I have now idea but I'm interested in how a 12 ft prone board would measure up against a 12 ft downwinding style board for speed in paddling and general comfort of use. I have only ever surfed on short boards but seriously considering something else for fitness when there is no waves and like the sound of prone paddling but there must be a reason why there is not many around?

Lots of ski paddlers which is a craft that looks very efficient but sitting for prolonged periods looks hard on the lower back.

OC1 looks like a very cumbersome craft to transport.

I would really like someone with some knowledge to start another thread comparing (good & bad) all 4 different style of craft.

Thanks

I coach/teach all 4 craft and paddle /race on 3 of them regularly. (Ski, Outrigger and SUP)
If you learn the correct technique from the beginning all craft are easy to pickup and achieve good fitness. The downside to some of these craft is transporting and storage....oh and cost$$$$.
You can have a bad lower back and still be able to paddle these craft because its all about the technique.....

Great advice everyone. It's been quite difficult to find out any solid information on this subject.

Looks like there is a small crew of paddlers around Sydney and A shop in Warriewood that can get me started. Appreciate everyone taking the time to help out here.

See you on the water!

Select to expand quote

DeeWhy said..
Great advice everyone. It's been quite difficult to find out any solid information on this subject.

Looks like there is a small crew of paddlers around Sydney and A shop in Warriewood that can get me started. Appreciate everyone taking the time to help out here.

See you on the water!

Hi DeeWhy - be in touch if you need any assistance - prone paddling is growing and it's those like ourselves who are getting older and want to maintain fitness between surfs .

Unsurprisingly it's easy to think that distance prone paddling isn't for you if you have a bad back or neck - however the opposite can be true. The strength you gain by prone paddling can actually help alleviate some of these issues. In particular the position you are in when paddling on your stomach is the perfect opposite to our usual poor posture of hunched over a keyboard, steering wheel or deep in the couch ;)
The Barks have a nice scope in the deck which makes it easier to hold your chest up and look forward bending your neck.

Once you start down winding you'll be hooked

Hi DeeWhy,
Check out the Jimmy Lewis "SuperFly", probably the 5'8 for you....I'm 6'1 & 80kg & ride the 5'4 (I have been down to the 5'0 but I like the paddle power of the 5'4 & it's length better...
The ALL NEW JL "Marlon Lewis Super Fly" Designed prone surfboard Foil Board.... Super light flat deck, Bevelled Rails & comes with both Tuttle Box & Track Mounts...Great paddle power & lightweight for maximum flying time... The SuperFly is the ultimate prone foilboard. Designed by Marlon Lewis, with lots of volume in a compact form, the SuperFly provides excellent paddling and take-offs when on the surface, with excellent sensitivity and low swing weight when up on the foil. The beveled chine rails make lifting off and touching down smooth and effortless. Both Tuttle box and plate attachments are provided for maximum flexibility....
I just put Micro Hall on the 5'0 & Greeny from Slimes has been learning & killing it on the 5'8...
Dimensions-
4'8" X 17 1/2" 31.6 liters
5'0" X 19" 38.3 liters
5'4" X 20" 44.9 liters
5'8" X 21 1/4" 52.7 liters








Email me at- jimmylewisboards@gmail.com if you have any questions....