hello everyone!

I'm new here, but I already have a tons of questions. I'm looking for a new SUP wave board.

I've been SUPing for 4 months now, so I'm still a "beginner"/intermediate. I don't live in the most "surf friendly" part of the world, surf conditions here are mostly choppy and windy. waves very small, if we're extremely lucky we get this: /images/misc/forum-image-missing.gif every once in a while in the summer. But I'm planning to travel and surf other better spots in EU next season, with my new board. I was catching small waves all summer on a custom made board (all-rounder), 9.8, width 32, 170 l, heavy as hell (around 16-18kg). This is my first board and I've learn catching waves on it. On good conditions and small waves I catch every possible wave without falling into the water, but when it is choppy, little bit windy and when the waves get little bit bigger, I barely stand on it haha :D

I'm a woman, 52 kg, 168 cm.

so I don't know what to do. I'm going to buy a new board for next season. I really want to get rid of this one, it's too heavy, hard to turn and I would really want to switch to short style for easier turning and all ( as I said, I improved my riding in good conditions, but turning and tail riding is hard with this clumsy thing, so I'm looking for something smaller). But, in contrast, I have problems riding in choppy conditions and bigger waves, so I'm scared, that new shorter board with less volume would bring more troubles into my surfing, am I right?

I've been looking for fanatic all wave 2014, 8.11 or 9.1, maybe even 8.5...

ALLWAVE HRS 8'5''Volume135 lWidth32"/ 81.3 cmLength8'5"/ 259 cm
ALLWAVE HRS 8'11''Volume150 lWidth31"/ 78.7 cmLength8'11"/ 271.9 cm
ALLWAVE HRS 9'1''Volume160 lWidth31.75"/ 80.6 cmLength9'1"/ 277 cm

(www.fanatic.com/sup/composite-boards/surf/allwave|productDetailsTabs2)

or some RRD models, such as Super Sup V2 Wood 8.11, 135l (www.robertoriccidesigns.com/equipment/shop/super-sup-v2-wood/)

What about some starboard models?

What should I do? Go on with less volume and lenght or at least stay on similar volume range?

Thank you, big waves to all!





My board, custom made

Naish Mana 8'5 or the 8'10 which comes as the Alana for ladies, both are very stable without being too wide and perform very well in a variety of conditions

Naish Mana is a good suggestion and along those lines you should also look at the Starboard Pocket Rocket. At 8'5" long, 30" wide and 4.3" thick it is very stable and will allow you to progress. If you have trouble in chop then do some more flat water time as this will help.

Good luck and welcome to the Breeze...

8'5" Naish Mana for sure..

Thankyou guys! I've already checked out the boards you've suggested. So you think that swithcing to smaller board (for example 8'5'') would bring more pleasure into my surfing/will make it easier or will I struggle more with balance when waves get bigger and when unpleasant wind starts blowing? I'm a bit scared of that, because even now I sometimes struggle when it's mushy, when the waves get bigger and when strong wind is blowing.

Thankyou!:)

For sure.

I have two daughters, 50 & 60kg, and a tad shorter than you.

My experience is that you want to keep some length, for paddling speed so you can enter early in the wave, when things are still manageable easily.
Too long and you will have a hard time managing nosedives. About 8'6" to 9'6" seem a good length. As an intermediate female, you most probably lack paddling strength yet, so too short a board mean you will have trouble getting into waves.

width is what will give you stability. Big fat rails will be harder to dig for turning at your weight. So try to get a wide board (at least 30") but with thin rails. Try to avoid the boards made for overweight US riders :-)
Width at the nose and tail bring a lot of stability.

But volume is something you do not need at your weight. Be wary that people telling you that you need 170 liters may weight 100kg. 110 - 120 litres should be OK, more and you will become a cork thrown around by wind and chop, and you will have a hard time turning the board.

A fast rocker (flat) is nice if you have trouble getting the wave. A slow rocker (curved) is nice if you have trouble turning.

A a light board is also very important for light females. As light as possible while still ding resistant, and OK for your budget

The mana 8'5" seem nice, but designed for heavier riders than you (thick rails). A mana-like board with less volume in the rails may be your ideal board. Be wary also of the premium you will pay for big brands which advertise and sponsorize a lot, if you are on a budget, you have plenty of cheaper quality brands.

I think you were on the right track with the new 8'5 Allwave in HRS

The Allwaves are designed to be stable and the new 8'5 in HRS will be very light and easy to lift/carry.

I have ordered the 8'5 LTD, only as an experiment.... I want to see what difference carbon makes in my surfing
I have always been super happy with my HRS boards (8'11, 9'6 & 9'10 Allwaves and my 9'6 Prowave)

IMO, the 8'5 will give you the performance and stability you are looking for..... for reference, I am 100k

I think for your weight and size the 8'5 Allwave at 32" wide is way too much board for you