After all the advice I received from my previous post I'm going to try [if there are demos around] the Sunova Speeed and Style, both around 9'5". Just in case I can only demo one of them, can anyone advise the differences between the two. The photos on the Sunova website look similar and I'm nowhere experienced enough to be able to read dimensions and tell which might be better in small surf, more stable, easier to paddle onto waves etc. Cheers

The Style is a longboard SUP with thin foiled rails, at 9'5 it would be very narrow as well.

The Speeed is the board you are looking for. It is a very versatile surfer. At 9'5 it is a big stable board, that surfs all conditions exceptionally well.
It paddles easily into waves and is very stable in chop.

Here is my review on the 9'5 Speeed.
The 1st 90 seconds are just a still pic, with stats scrolling over it.... but the rest is a surf video, that shows the 9'5 Speeed in action.

Thanks Creeky. I'm sure I can demo a Speeed but just wanted to hear about the Style as well. All advice gratefully received. Once I buy [maybe a month away] I'll keep you posted.

It all depends what you want out of your session, and where you will surf. As STC said, the Style is a "longboard" - i.e. the aim would be to noseride, mostly go straight, show some style. Even at 10' (which I own @ 96 kg) it is a long narrow board with little rocker (it is 29").

My Speed is also 29" wide, but it is 8'10". The 9'5" is 31" - a better place to start if you are new to SUP surfing. It does have some longboard traits, and you can scoot up to the nose, but it is fast and it turns well (with your foot over the fins).

So I agree with STC, out of those two, the Speeed will be more forgiving and is more of an all-round board.

From reading your previous thread, am I correct that you only weight 70kg?

Speaking as another relative light weight, at around 78kg, my experience is that a 160 litre board is BLOODY ENORMOUS.
Might be alright for these 100kg guys, but for us smaller guys having that amount of volume makes the board ridiculously corky in the surf, and almost impossible to bury a rail.

I have gone from a 10'6 Nalu at 160l to a 10' Style at 130l, to now riding a 9'6 Style at 112l, and I would pick the 9'6 Style any day of the week.
In the surf it is the most stable of the 3 at my weight, even though it is the narrowest. It also has the best glide, and is the most manoeuvrable.

BTW I am just a weekend hacker.

Dont get fooled into thinking that more volume equals more stability, because it doesn't.

In the Speeed, for me, the most comfortable size is the 8'5, which I think would be even more comfortable if it were around 105l instead of its current 112l

Sorry if this just adds to the confusion. As always, demo if possible

Hi Jimbo
My Suggestion was based only on the question in this post.... "which 9'5?"

After Wicksy's reply, I found your other post, and I agree, the 9'5 may be bigger than you need.

You said in your other post, that it was either the 9'2 or 9'5 Speeed. Out of those 2, go with the 9'2.

Everyone seems concerned with riding as small as possible, and that big boards are somehow not appropriate if you are not of a certain weight.
I disagree.
Since surfing began, tiny surfers have been riding huge boards very well.

If you want to be comfortable and know you want over 9'.... then do it.

My experience with the Speeed is, the 9'5 surfs just like the 8'10.... with small accommodations for size.
You will be fine on the 9'2... even at your weight.

I am 104 kg.... my buddy is 65 kg. We both had the 8'10 Speeed.
We both surfed it the same, regardless of the weight difference between us.
I can't use the 8'10 in winter, so I opted for the 9'2.
The Speeed is a good board, that surfs well at any size, if you like comfort.

The smallest Speeed will certainly offer another level of performance if you have the skills to ride a very small board...
but it is not necessary for everyone to go as small as their weight allows.

Thanks for all the fantastic advice. As a newcomer to SUPing , but an experienced mal rider, I really appreciate the feedback from all the vets here. I'm absolutely hooked on the SUP and can't get out enough. [This month is particularly frustrating as I'm on Grandpa duty to a 6 year old, and Grandma has a broken foot!] I'll definitely try before I buy this time , for 2 main reasons: This will have to be a board that grows with me as I can't afford a quiver and I've bought mals before without trying first and have been greatly disappointed. [Until my current Barry Bennet which is a screamer] I'll take as much advice as you can throw at me....Thanks again!

Hello all

I also was tossing up between a style or speed. I'm glad i went with the speed in 9,2 length. I was looking for a long performance type sup mal that you could also surf on. And the speed works a treat i am able to get right up the nose on it and turns on a dime. After dialling it in i put a little nubster fin in middle and it performs like a short performance sup but still with the glide of a longer board. By the way i am 100kg without wetsuit...i was considering going down to the 8,10 speed but with the nubster fin i dont feel the need for another speed

whats the best size speed for experienced intermediate weight 80 kgs ?

it wont be my only board, i have a longboard sup as well, but ill use on beach breaks.

i dont go out in strong cross shore or onshore

8 2 or 8 5 ? or another suggestion ?

Hello Normster

I would go the 8,5 with your statistics. But again if able try to demo the shortest board available and if unable to ride it you know what your limitations are and jump up one or two sizes if that makes sense...

Normster - those are pretty much my stats. I started off on the 8'5 which had me covered in most conditions but I down sized to the 8'2 a few months ago & it's now my go-to Speeed. I've also spent a fair bit of time on the 7'11 which is a terrific board but at the risk of stating the obvious, it's more of a handful if there's a lot of water movement.

Normster, if you got a longboard style go as small as you can. 8'2. especially if you want for beacheys. the wide nose and paralel rails give balance and ease of getting onto wave, bit of time and you will be thankful. At first you think why are these so bloody narrow and you will prob struggle to get up on the things (no knee paddling on a speed!) then you will get ur technique down, then get ur balance point down then all sweet. on a wave then you go wow so nice being narrow, turns sweet, power n speed to boot, ride it in the middle to get thru sections or barrels then step back and throw her round like a short board.
I am your weight and ride 7'11 as my only board (well only SUP), looking to get a longboard like a style to complement those tiny fat days. Kind of wondering whether to go a large speed, tho at 80kg think the 9'2 or sim may be too much foam to handle.