Hey guys and girls,
I've decided on a Surftech for the waterproof quality, as i'm pretty unlucky when it comes to dinging my boards. So I've been looking at Channel Islands 10'1 Caddie. Does anyone out there have any feedback on this board. All i could find on the net was clips of a guy called Gutz surfing the 9'7. www.surftechaustralia.com.au/paddleboards/channel-islands
As for a paddle, I've noticed there are only 2 different types of paddle on the surftech australia website. Has anyone used the Glass one. There aren't any specs with regards to the weight or blade size. I don't want to waste my time and money getting the wrong paddle.http://www.surftechaustralia.com.au/paddles/glass-paddle
I'm 5'10 and 80kg and will be paddling around the Cronulla beaches and surfing the odd 2ft wave when there's no one around for me to run into.
Pulled the trigger on this board on tuesday, bought an adjustable Naish paddle to go with it.
First paddle I launched from a park near my house and paddled across the bay to a well known bay wave. there was a nice 1fter working through there.
I was able to use the paddle across the bay to figure out when length I liked my paddle for flat water paddling.
Once at the wave, I had some trouble getting onto my first wave. Although i've been surfing for years, this is a different feeling all together. After a few failed attempts, I finally caught my first wave on a SUP. Nice little right hander that went for about 100m.
I stayed out on the water for about 2 hours before my body told me that enough was enough.
i've put a lot of time into researching equipment to make sure I made the right decision the first time.
A big thanks to the following retailers for their.
FIRST AND FOREMOST - Thommy at Cronulla Stand up Paddle - Outstanding customer service, always good for a yarn and an honest opinion. Cheers mate!
Kieren at Dripping Wet - Thanks for your PM! Shame your shop is so far away or I would have come in to thank you personally.
Peter Sainsbury at Surftech - Thanks for your support!
Mark at Sunjam - Thanks for the demo of the 10'6 and 9'6 boards. The board bag is outstanding value for money. Very impressed.
I'll write back in about 6months with reports on how all the gear is going, and how it stands the test of time.
Mate i was out there again this arvo with about 20 guys on surf skis.
I'll be there for sure.
For the Vicco guys who may be keen to try one, we've got this 10'1'' Surftech Al Merrick Channel Islands available for demo.
Paddled this board from cronulla point to jibbon bombie this morning. Then took it for a wave at shelley park. The more i paddle it the more i love it.
Very happy with the naish Makani 8' adjustable paddle. It fills with a little water in the surf when i fall off. But its great on the flat water.
Jet, did you have a crack at any waves at the bombie? It would have been munching there, normally breaks in multiple places, just need to find a safe section.
I can tell you at the end of my no wind DW with Boylos today it was smashing at the jibbon bombie one set in close then in the middle of the entrance, never seen it break out there before...............not one for the feint hearted! 
Didnt get close to the waves. Im having enough troubke in the bay surf at the moment. Give me a year or so to get used to it.
