Have decided on a Sunova Kanga! Not quite sure on size, but 9ft probably would fit my choppy waters. Would love any feedback from your experiences on a Kanga, size, wave conditions...and if you went to something next, what was it, and mostly why? Any input is great.

The Kanga is a great board. I have one and it will be in my quiver until either I or it breaks. It's the most stable of Genration's boards. (I own 3.) It handles chop pretty well and I've taken it out in what I consider head tall to slightly overhead conditions (I'm 6'5 for reference) without issues.

Altho, on a recent surf trip I saw a guy a few years older than me having a hard time staying upright on a 9'6, but I have no clue of his prior experience, or whether it was him or the board.

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BigMak101 said..
The Kanga is a great board. I have one and it will be in my quiver until either I or it breaks. It's the most stable of Genration's boards. (I own 3.) It handles chop pretty well and I've taken it out in what I consider head tall to slightly overhead conditions (I'm 6'5 for reference) without issues.

Altho, on a recent surf trip I saw a guy a few years older than me having a hard time staying upright on a 9'6, but I have no clue of his prior experience, or whether it was him or the board.

That'll be me, having a hard time on a 9'6, but I'll keep trying... Thanks for the feedback. Soooo many boards to sort thru, makes it hard to purchase, no 'borrow' around here, few used boards.

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Rachael said..
That'll be me, having a hard time on a 9'6, but I'll keep trying...

You did not tell us your height and weight, that's mandatory info for sizing a board.

Plus stability is given by the main width, and also the nose and tail width. Avoid the "pointy" shapes with pulled in nose and tail like the Kanga if you are not an experienced rider (which I guess is your case). Better get a stable shape (wide everywhere) sized to your weight (so not to end up with a heavy rolling log), rather than an unstable shape that you oversize.

PS: This is NOT saying that pointy boards, and the Kanga are bad. Experienced riders look for boards with a good rail-to-rail... which is the ability of the board to roll on its side, something that means "unstable" if you are not experienced enough. Compromises...

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colas said..

Rachael said..
That'll be me, having a hard time on a 9'6, but I'll keep trying...

You did not tell us your height and weight, that's mandatory info for sizing a board.

Plus stability is given by the main width, and also the nose and tail width. Avoid the "pointy" shapes with pulled in nose and tail like the Kanga if you are not an experienced rider (which I guess is your case). Better get a stable shape (wide everywhere) sized to your weight (so not to end up with a heavy rolling log), rather than an unstable shape that you oversize.

PS: This is NOT saying that pointy boards, and the Kanga are bad. Experienced riders look for boards with a good rail-to-rail... which is the ability of the board to roll on its side, something that means "unstable" if you are not experienced enough. Compromises...

88Kg in soggy full Oneil psycho 5.5/6mm hooded suit. 5'9" built like an old top heavy truck. Good balance, Im a surf skater. I can sleep on a balanceboard :)
Used to surf, it's been many years.

You like the look of the Sunova One? looks stable...

Hi Rachel ,I like what they say about the Kanga ,and the look ,if you are buying a bigger one you should have no problem using it ,
I have seen the one and thought it would be a cool board to have too ,flatter rocker and user friendly ,the Kanga will surf better though ,I found the creeks are very stable for their size as Rick widened the nose so stability increased ,

Those GenRation boards look awesome and I was considering a Wedge for my last board -- but I'd think you'd be looking at like $2500+ USD for your first SUP (cause you have to pay for shipping, fins, pad right?), and maybe having to wait a bit (I obv. dunno though). If you have time to train flatwater or a lot of grit, then it could be OK getting a smaller board and working for it.

Gorge in PDX has Fanatic Allwave, SB Wedge, and a $1k NSP All-Arounder. If money were an issue at all, or being able to have board right away, these would be more rationale first boards, cause they appear to be $1-1.5k less, but maybe I'm off on Kanga price. Could spend some of that on thinner suit, think you're gonna be hot in a 5/6 on standup. I don't have any affiliation with that shop just list it cause it's biggest in region and has boards in stock and I think there's not much in WA. but lol gas prob costs like $1k for the drive these days and I would maybe rather get bit by shark than deal with that Seattle to Olympia traffic


Good luck

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Rachael said..
88Kg in soggy full Oneil psycho 5.5/6mm hooded suit. 5'9" built like an old top heavy truck. Good balance, Im a surf skater. I can sleep on a balanceboard :)
Used to surf, it's been many years.

You like the look of the Sunova One? looks stable...

You'll need some stability then.
The One seems better adapted to your level. You will have more fun and progress faster with an easy shape. The wider nose will help a lot, balance on the water is not the same as on the ground, plus you will need technique (paddling and front foot position close to the stringer) to feel at ease with a pulled in nose. The One has a comfy, widish nose.

I would get the 9'5", its 32" width will make a lot of difference compared to the 30"1/2 of the 9'0"

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Kisutch said..
Those GenRation boards look awesome and I was considering a Wedge for my last board -- but I'd think you'd be looking at like $2500+ USD for your first SUP (cause you have to pay for shipping, fins, pad right?), and maybe having to wait a bit (I obv. dunno though). If you have time to train flatwater or a lot of grit, then it could be OK getting a smaller board and working for it.

Gorge in PDX has Fanatic Allwave, SB Wedge, and a $1k NSP All-Arounder. If money were an issue at all, or being able to have board right away, these would be more rationale first boards, cause they appear to be $1-1.5k less, but maybe I'm off on Kanga price. Could spend some of that on thinner suit, think you're gonna be hot in a 5/6 on standup. I don't have any affiliation with that shop just list it cause it's biggest in region and has boards in stock and I think there's not much in WA. but lol gas prob costs like $1k for the drive these days and I would maybe rather get bit by shark than deal with that Seattle to Olympia traffic


Good luck

thank you for the info. I usually boogieboard in that 5.5/6, and our water is 48-52f, so when i fall off my new SUP, it's into the freezer. I'll have a board shipped, Im hours away from Seattle and *hate* Seattle, but Olympia is closer. I'd buy from the gorgeperformance or Poseidon or cleanlinesurf. all in Oregon, and have it shipped. Allwaves look good, so does the Infinity RNB 8'8 x 32" SUPspension Dolfin Blue Surf SUP, a lot of float in that 8'8", sunova has four boards that would work. So many choices, and no one to borrow from. Makes it really difficult. The NSP boards are the cheepest. Sunova the most expensive. I sure do like that Kanga tho....

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colas said..

Rachael said..
88Kg in soggy full Oneil psycho 5.5/6mm hooded suit. 5'9" built like an old top heavy truck. Good balance, Im a surf skater. I can sleep on a balanceboard :)
Used to surf, it's been many years.

You like the look of the Sunova One? looks stable...

You'll need some stability then.
The One seems better adapted to your level. You will have more fun and progress faster with an easy shape. The wider nose will help a lot, balance on the water is not the same as on the ground, plus you will need technique (paddling and front foot position close to the stringer) to feel at ease with a pulled in nose. The One has a comfy, widish nose.

I would get the 9'5", its 32" width will make a lot of difference compared to the 30"1/2 of the 9'0"

9'5 One? God that seems soooo huge. My old fish was big at the time, and it was 7ft. Guess I will look at the ONe again. I like the width and volume of the wedge, it's less stable than The One? No matter what it is, id likely Id fall off it more than ride it, cuz of the learning curve. The Kanga and the Wedge and One all look higher volume. Problem is that i am stuck with the first board for a long time, it's a bigger purchase than i usually have to make... so it has to fit me well in a year+. It's all good info, the One is probably where i need to start tho, you are probably completely correct. For my reading and my choppy water and low power waves, the shroom at 8'7" looks like a best fit, but several peeps have stated that it isnt' a good fit for this newbie.
Just not sure.
Wish i could just find a decent used one to get started on.
I put tape on the floor to mark out the length and width from 8ft to 10'5, and they all look as big as my skiff...!
Thanks for the input.
The One looks good. Real good.

I was asked where I boogieboard, and where I will be SUPing. This is my local washing machine. There are four good places up here near me, they all do the same thing, lower power waves mostly, some long rollers that break on shore, lower power mush, fast high power mush, sometimes huge, very tidal, mostly a washing machine on steroids.

I would encourage you to look seriously at the infinity New Deal or RNB considering your local conditions and the fact you say they're cheaper, not to mention they're stronger.

Totally agree with Mick,infinity do a 9.6 31 wide new deal, maybe in pvc now ? Cheaper still !or Jimmy Lewis Strikers 9.6 or even 10 very good learners boards And end up keepers ,imo

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micksmith said..
I would encourage you to look seriously at the infinity New Deal or RNB considering your local conditions and the fact you say they're cheaper, not to mention they're stronger.

9'0-10'0ft wide speed work? love the volume idea. They wear well? Lots of rocks. My son broke a toe on one about 2 months ago surfing this spot, further down the beach where they curl a bit more, I think it was likely saving his board...

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Rachael said..

micksmith said..
I would encourage you to look seriously at the infinity New Deal or RNB considering your local conditions and the fact you say they're cheaper, not to mention they're stronger.

9'0-10'0ft wide speed work? love the volume idea. They wear well? Lots of rocks. My son broke a toe on one about 2 months ago surfing this spot, further down the beach where they curl a bit more, I think it was likely saving his board...

From what you have described and trying to read between the lines etc, I'd say the 9'6" x 31" new deal would be a good fit. They are light and strong, but not rock impenetrable, but then no surfboard is. Even when you do advance this type of board will be a keeper.
I have no affiliation with infinity, just know people with them.

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Rachael said..
This is my local washing machine.

Now, this will be hell for a beginner SUPer!
Chop, but mostly the rebounds of the swell on all these rocks that will come from all directions, will challenge your balance.
Take a board at least 32" wide, and critically important, wide at the nose and tail.

On resistance to hits on rocks, SUPs are not like the surfboards you apparently know.
SUPs are mostly EPS, and unlike PU surfboards, will gobble water fast if a ding breach the skin. Water that will hardly come out.
So you need something that will resist being punctured by rocks: either a double skin (a PVC sandwich construction), or maybe a "foamie" or "softie" covered in foam. With a single skin board, you will have to get out immediately and repair any ding.

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colas said..

Rachael said..
This is my local washing machine.

Now, this will be hell for a beginner SUPer!
Chop, but mostly the rebounds of the swell on all these rocks that will come from all directions, will challenge your balance.
Take a board at least 32" wide, and critically important, wide at the nose and tail.

On resistance to hits on rocks, SUPs are not like the surfboards you apparently know.
SUPs are mostly EPS, and unlike PU surfboards, will gobble water fast if a ding breach the skin. Water that will hardly come out.
So you need something that will resist being punctured by rocks: either a double skin (a PVC sandwich construction), or maybe a "foamie" or "softie" covered in foam. With a single skin board, you will have to get out immediately and repair any ding.

Huh, I'll look at foamies, but a cursory look i noticed most of them seem to have eps bottoms.

Maybe I order a naked sunova board, no mat, and coat it in epoxy... couple layers. I have a ton of epoxy from boat repair and rail coating. The extra weight wouldn't be a problem if i am on a 10ft board maybe...
All the spots to surf have some flat areas farther sideways from the breaks to learn on. But I'll look for something more bulletproof. A special order. We have a couple of surfboard shapers up here, maybe someone can make a SUPer board for me?

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Rachael said..
Maybe I order a naked sunova board, no mat, and coat it in epoxy... couple layers.[...] A special order. We have a couple of surfboard shapers up here, maybe someone can make a SUPer board for me?

Don't bother for a first board.
Just get a cheap one (too big is better than too small), keep your money for when you known better what you are after, your balance, and how often you ding it :-)

Otherwise, instead of adding epoxy layer to a sunova, just ask for a custom more reinforced one.
And do not get a SUP board from a surf shaper. Only a shaper experienced with SUP or Windsurf boards will known how to make a strong board that will not weight a ton.

Late to see this thread. I have a 9'6" Kanga, about 167 liters. I am 6'2" and 240lbs. My skill level is beginner/intermediate. Meaning, I can get outside to the waves (I typcially paddle out on my knees unless the conditions are small ankle biters). I can drop in on waves, execute a bottom turn, and progress down the line. Things beyond that such as a cutback, I have yet to master.

Here in San Diego, I have found the Kanga to be very frustrating in anything but glassy conditions. I have been out in choppy days combined with a backwash off the cliffs and I fell so much that it just was not fun. Wave count was an average of one wave per 1.5 hour sessions. I fell waiting for waves. I fell trying to catch waves. I fell thinking about waiting and catching waves.

In glassy condtions, my wave count would go up but I still fell a lot attempting to catch waves. Having said all that, when I did catch a wave, the board is really good and I was able to even do a cutback. So, I am keeping the board in hopes that someday I have am able to go SUP consistently and build the skill up to be able to ride the Kanga.

Granted I am much heavier than Rachael and so the volume will work more in her favor but I still feel like it is just not a first board to learn on. Especially when you get rolled up on a wave due to a lack of skill and land on the board and put your elbow through the bottom. 2 grand all in on the board and add another 150 for the repair. Bottom line = expensive board for a beginner.

My two cents.

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aceman8772 said..
Late to see this thread. I have a 9'6" Kanga, about 167 liters. I am 6'2" and 240lbs. My skill level is beginner/intermediate. Meaning, I can get outside to the waves (I typcially paddle out on my knees unless the conditions are small ankle biters). I can drop in on waves, execute a bottom turn, and progress down the line. Things beyond that such as a cutback, I have yet to master.

Here in San Diego, I have found the Kanga to be very frustrating in anything but glassy conditions. I have been out in choppy days combined with a backwash off the cliffs and I fell so much that it just was not fun. Wave count was an average of one wave per 1.5 hour sessions. I fell waiting for waves. I fell trying to catch waves. I fell thinking about waiting and catching waves.

In glassy condtions, my wave count would go up but I still fell a lot attempting to catch waves. Having said all that, when I did catch a wave, the board is really good and I was able to even do a cutback. So, I am keeping the board in hopes that someday I have am able to go SUP consistently and build the skill up to be able to ride the Kanga.

Granted I am much heavier than Rachael and so the volume will work more in her favor but I still feel like it is just not a first board to learn on. Especially when you get rolled up on a wave due to a lack of skill and land on the board and put your elbow through the bottom. 2 grand all in on the board and add another 150 for the repair. Bottom line = expensive board for a beginner.

My two cents.

This was me on the SP25 and Wedge, but I was really pushing it in terms of volume, as in not enough of it, on the SP25. And the Wedge was the shortest board I'd ever tried to ride. (Notice I used "tried.") So frustrating! I hate being the kook in the lineup, not to mention wasting time not actually surfing.

I personally find the Kanga much more stable and easier to handle than the others by Genration, and I'm even bigger than you. (On a 9'9) But it's definitely not a beginner board. Altho, it is pretty sturdy. Survived both flights to and back from Costa Rica with zero damage.

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BigMak101 said..

aceman8772 said..
Late to see this thread. I have a 9'6" Kanga, about 167 liters. I am 6'2" and 240lbs. My skill level is beginner/intermediate. Meaning, I can get outside to the waves (I typcially paddle out on my knees unless the conditions are small ankle biters). I can drop in on waves, execute a bottom turn, and progress down the line. Things beyond that such as a cutback, I have yet to master.

Here in San Diego, I have found the Kanga to be very frustrating in anything but glassy conditions. I have been out in choppy days combined with a backwash off the cliffs and I fell so much that it just was not fun. Wave count was an average of one wave per 1.5 hour sessions. I fell waiting for waves. I fell trying to catch waves. I fell thinking about waiting and catching waves.

In glassy condtions, my wave count would go up but I still fell a lot attempting to catch waves. Having said all that, when I did catch a wave, the board is really good and I was able to even do a cutback. So, I am keeping the board in hopes that someday I have am able to go SUP consistently and build the skill up to be able to ride the Kanga.

Granted I am much heavier than Rachael and so the volume will work more in her favor but I still feel like it is just not a first board to learn on. Especially when you get rolled up on a wave due to a lack of skill and land on the board and put your elbow through the bottom. 2 grand all in on the board and add another 150 for the repair. Bottom line = expensive board for a beginner.

My two cents.

This was me on the SP25 and Wedge, but I was really pushing it in terms of volume, as in not enough of it, on the SP25. And the Wedge was the shortest board I'd ever tried to ride. (Notice I used "tried.") So frustrating! I hate being the kook in the lineup, not to mention wasting time not actually surfing.

I personally find the Kanga much more stable and easier to handle than the others by Genration, and I'm even bigger than you. (On a 9'9) But it's definitely not a beginner board. Altho, it is pretty sturdy. Survived both flights to and back from Costa Rica with zero damage.

I believe in the Kanga. I think I just need more time. Currently, I am lucky if I can go and paddle once a week. I think I need way more practice than that to get where I need to be to ride that board. Paddle technique and better paddle fitness needs to be improved in my case as well.

When I grow up, I want to take surf trips to Costa Rica.

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aceman8772 said..

BigMak101 said..

aceman8772 said..
Late to see this thread. I have a 9'6" Kanga, about 167 liters. I am 6'2" and 240lbs. My skill level is beginner/intermediate. Meaning, I can get outside to the waves (I typcially paddle out on my knees unless the conditions are small ankle biters). I can drop in on waves, execute a bottom turn, and progress down the line. Things beyond that such as a cutback, I have yet to master.

Here in San Diego, I have found the Kanga to be very frustrating in anything but glassy conditions. I have been out in choppy days combined with a backwash off the cliffs and I fell so much that it just was not fun. Wave count was an average of one wave per 1.5 hour sessions. I fell waiting for waves. I fell trying to catch waves. I fell thinking about waiting and catching waves.

In glassy condtions, my wave count would go up but I still fell a lot attempting to catch waves. Having said all that, when I did catch a wave, the board is really good and I was able to even do a cutback. So, I am keeping the board in hopes that someday I have am able to go SUP consistently and build the skill up to be able to ride the Kanga.

Granted I am much heavier than Rachael and so the volume will work more in her favor but I still feel like it is just not a first board to learn on. Especially when you get rolled up on a wave due to a lack of skill and land on the board and put your elbow through the bottom. 2 grand all in on the board and add another 150 for the repair. Bottom line = expensive board for a beginner.

My two cents.

This was me on the SP25 and Wedge, but I was really pushing it in terms of volume, as in not enough of it, on the SP25. And the Wedge was the shortest board I'd ever tried to ride. (Notice I used "tried.") So frustrating! I hate being the kook in the lineup, not to mention wasting time not actually surfing.

I personally find the Kanga much more stable and easier to handle than the others by Genration, and I'm even bigger than you. (On a 9'9) But it's definitely not a beginner board. Altho, it is pretty sturdy. Survived both flights to and back from Costa Rica with zero damage.

I believe in the Kanga. I think I just need more time. Currently, I am lucky if I can go and paddle once a week. I think I need way more practice than that to get where I need to be to ride that board. Paddle technique and better paddle fitness needs to be improved in my case as well.

When I grow up, I want to take surf trips to Costa Rica.

Ha ha. Tbh, it took that trip to Costa Rica (my first big trip since sh1t hit the fan and a dream I'd had for years) where I was on the Kanga everyday for me to really get the hang of it. And I struggled first couple of days.

Funny thing is, I've been riding my slightly longer and lighter board since getting back, and the one time back on the Kanga I struggled to catch anything. Surf was pretty small and crappy tho.

Hi Rachael, re the rock damage... if you haven't spent alot of time on Sup's you probably haven't reached the headspace of looking at waves differently to prone surfing/body boarding. Sup will open up getting in earlier, from further out, to paddling around the corner to previously untouched choice little runners .
I agree with the other guys on board sizing to start with and 2nd hand/ price point boards . 2 different shapes for the cost 1 topend unit longboard n surf shape = faster growth My starters were NSP and Gerry Lopez/ Surftec (still a keeper)
That intense washing machine in pics I can relate with, whole lota multi dimension movements going on,
My Sup Tip for there is to start with big Twin Fins only, this will let board flex / twist / roll / squiggle under you going out and pivot n slide on the ride Enjoy ??