OK so I'm reading lots of info on board 'volume' and although i can understand that more board volume = more buoyancy and bigger/wider/thicker boards have more volume than short/thin boards I'm not sure how 'much' buoyancy is needed. I can also see that differnt styles of sup will need different flotation, eg boards for surfing may not need as much as flatwater paddling boards
Is there a simple conversion system to work out how much buoyancy is needed for various paddlers weights?
Eg does a 80kg paddler need a minimum 160l volume, will a 100kg paddler need 200l volume etc?
Any help would be great. Ta. Dave
I read somewhere (I think on Angulo web site) that its 1.5 x your weight in kilos for expert to 2 times for beginner. Obviously only a rough guide as there are so many variables and to me board width to thickness is more important than volume. Rocker is also important.
I am 76kg been SUPping since March and ride boards 9' x 29.5 wide and 146 L Vol and 9' x 30" much thinner this one is more stable even though 130L vol.
105kg on a 130l board. Some guys will be closer 80kg to 100l just depends what you value performance or stability.
Some dude in the states came up with a loose formula
that makes sense to me.
Weight x experience = volume
Experience = newbie 2x
intermediate 1.8 to 1.5
experienced 1.5 to 1.3
genius 1.3 downwards
Sooo 2 x 80kgs = 160 litres for the beginner.(Minimum imo)
1.5 x 80kgs =120 litres for the intermediate.(clever intermediate)
1.3x 80kgs = 104 litres for the experienced
geniuses write their own rules.
Biggest mistake made by beginners is to small to soon. Start with a big board and once you have really got your act together buy something smaller and sexier.
In windsurfing speak, change your weight in KGs to ltrs (95kgs = 95ltrs) and then add 10% to cover the weight of the rig.
So at 90kgs (me) I need a 99ltr board (90ltr+9ltrs or 10%).
That answers your volume versus buoyancy question but doesn't equate to stability!
Cheers
I agree design is key, volume, width, thickness, length etc on there own is no means for selection particularily as one goes for a more specific board. Any beginner can get on an 11, 12 ft plus and be happy but bordom will set in quick IMO.
I am new to this sport but have extensive experience in other water/surf activities and now tested numerous SUP boards.
I started in March 2011, weigh 76kg and am not young.
My initial aim and desire was for surfing and still is.
At the start I went to ESS on Central Coast NSW and tried many boards as a real beginner, Mark was excellent with his coaching and advice so bought an Oxbow 9' 4' which I found excellent. Then bought from ESS a 12' 6" Fanatic Race board to develop paddling and SUP fitness, this still needs lots of work but this board will help a lot.
Now have a 9' Coreban Fusion which has now got me going in good waves but for me is a struggle in onshore choppy conditions, I am getting there.
To help in difficult conditions I have tested a few boards and to my surprise my initial thoughts are now out the window. At 76kg and now a bit more skill the design that suits is lower volume ie less than 140 but 130 even better about 30" wide, 9 ftish so try Angulo 9' Surfa and Jimmy Lewis 9' 1" Kwad both surf well very stable in slop and are light good value boards.
I still like my Coreban Fusion but the others are better in slop and for me surf different style which I think suites me a bit better at this stage.
Bottom line there are numerous combinations as to what will work for each person so demo and be patient.
I am not patient so have in a short time bought too many SUPs.
I always go 20 ltrs on weight as a bare minimum for use in most conditions. You can go lower if your in perfect waves, but it'll be challenging. Up from there, everything is more stability. from there to 1.5 x your weight and your riding something that will perform well but be easy enough to paddle and maneuver well for an intermediate. Everything upwards from there great for beginners and just having fun.
JB
I'm 70 and no way I can paddle a 80 liters SUP... For me 110 Liters is as low as I can go and be comfortable...
I use 1,4 x Expert
1,7 x Intermediate
and 2+ x Beginner
For me this is just a general guideline and shape, width etc, can change the factor!
Bye J
im currently 115kg and my board is 172L, which is pretty much on 1.5, when i eventually get my next board i will probably get the rails thinned out a bit or my board a little skinnier, but i wouldn't take to much off of it, i wouldn't want to go down below 150-160L which is 1.3-1.4 and on the lower end of hat scale would be for nearly perfect glassy conditions,
the key is to not go to little volume when starting off because you'll yave a hard time staying on the board and that will put you off real quick
Jarryd
I think it really depends on the width and thickness distribution. It also depends on fitness, youth and natural balance. I couldn't for the life of me stand on my mate Matt's 8'5" pocket Rocket at 130 litres, he is 11 years younger and a naturally good surfer and he manages to stay upright without too many problems. There is only 5 Kg difference in his weight to mine 100-95 kg yet I managed to do a fairly good job of standing on a 130 litre 9'2" Prowave. I would've thought I would have an easier time on the Pocket Rocket, but there you go. The 9'6" Allwave has volume to spare at 176 L.
Years ago custom boards were the way to go, and in the future I think that maybe the way to go with SUP's. If the board suits your abilities and needs then volume will be a secondary consideration. I'd love if the Allwave had the chine technology that Blane incorporates into his Hull Paddlers and Rippers. I think that after the operation and a couple of years down the road a custom will be the only way to go.
I have it on good authority that Tully St John at 'Laguna Bay' and Woody Jack around Yamba way are excellent. Talk to an experienced shaper they'll set you straight.
1L will float 2.2 pounds is the conversion I use.
Body Wt + Board Wt + Paddle Wt + Suit Wt = 210 #'s for me and I SUP ~120L (floats 242 #'s) board. Depending on ability / conditions, go with 10 to 30+ additional L of volume.
Im 106 kg and started off with a 10 foot mana. 210 litres. Playing on a cabrihna 9.8 now 152 litres and very stable, much more stable for me than the 9.6 psh hull paddler ive been swapping with the brother in law even though its over 160 litres. I think board shape is as important as volume. Ive been surfing for over 30 years and know that rail design, rocker and bottom shape define a boards speed, stability and turning ability. If youre new to sup and surfing, i would agree that 2 to 1 is the right balance to learn. However if you have surfing experience, i reckon you could get away with heaps less volume if you choose the right shape board. There are now heaps of sub 10 foot boards between 31-35 inches wide. Many of these carry that width almost to the nose. These boards will float all but the heaviest surfers and will surf ok. They should also be ok to paddle for someone up to 80 kg. Sup design is moving so rapidly that it is hard to make an accurate call about volume, without first looking at board shape. The newer crop of wider shorter surf sups are redefining stability and performance. Best advice is to ride as many different boards as you can and figure out if you want to focus on surfability or glide. Good luck.
i agree with leroy13 customs were the way to go and i believe still are the way to go, when i got my DTM about a year/2 years ago the only boards 10foot and under were really the mana's so i went with a custom, because i wanted more performance,
but now there are alot more boards that are high volume beformance boards like the allwave, widepoint etc that are more suited to lighter beginners or larger guys looking for performance, i believe that they will still make the normal boards but boards like this will become more of the norm as they suit a large audience
Jarryd
