Hi all,

After playing around on a SUP on my holidays (Estuary and lessons etc) I'm keen pick up my first SUP.
I have other boards (McTavish 9'4", RipCurl 7' and SLSC racing mals. I'm 5'11 and would weigh 90-95kg, with average surf skills.

I'm looking at the Naish Nalu GT 10'00'' - 10'6" or perhaps the 10'10" GT (Happy to consider other brands too e.g. Fanatic?)

I like idea of the smaller board, because it will be mainly surfing small to medium waves, but as a beginner with 90+kg would I be better off with a 10'10?

Based out of Torquay if you know of any good used boards for sale too?

Cheers!

Hi isurf,

I have a PSH 10'2 x 33" SUP that you are welcome to try out if you like. It's not for sale but it could give you an idea of what something that size is like in the waves. I am in Geelong and spend most of my time in Ocean Grove or the Barwon River. I am on annual leave for the next two weeks as well! Just bring along your McTavish for me to try out. Hit me up if you're interested.

The Naish Nalu 10'6.5 comes highly recommended and would be ideal at your size for general paddling to medium surf. I surf my 11'4 nalu, which has similar characteristics, in surf up to 2m. They're not as maneuverable at a thin mal, or shortboard (obviously), so as a surfer, you have to temper your natural urge to take off deep until you really get to know your board and work out what you can get away with.

Thanks guys, heading to a few surf shops tomorrow to see what's about. Foamballer thanks for the advice, I'm more restrained these days, so looking forward to it... Aramathorn, appreciate the offer - always happy to let people have a blast on the McTav.. Although she is my pride and joy
I've not been able to surf since an injury 12 months ago - hence the recent move to a few "estuary" SUP rides.... I'm keen ( desperate) to keen to get back in the surf. Will let you know how I go!

I would steer you towards the 10'10'' Nalu.

DJ

Thanks DJ the size / volume would make it easy to pick up waves, I was just a little concerned it might be a bit sluggish ( comparatively speaking) to manoeuvre? I'll only be using it for surfing?

isurf,

I have been doing heaps of research on SUP's as I am just getting into it myself. All of my research has been into boards for tall and heavier guys, so unfortunately I can't give you any specific advice on the boards that you are looking at (and being such a novice, it would be better if I didn't). However, I have found that as far as board shops go, RPS in Melbourne has been the most helpful/non-biased. Warwick at RPS is very friendly and knowledgeable and is actually who I am ordering my board from. Then CORE Boardsports in Jan Juc is good as well. If you look at Strapper in Torquay, ask to talk to Rich, he is the only one there who knows about SUP's. He gets in mainly Naish, NSP and Starboard. The other guys at Strapper are very helpful and know a great deal about surfboards, but not about SUP's. This is just what I have found to be my experience.

I hope that helps.

Thanks Aramathorn,
I must be reading your mind.... I spoke to the guys at Strapper yesterday and making the trip to Melbourne today... I'll speak to them both again to see who can do a package deal or ideally do a deal on a used /demo...It could be an expensive trip!

I don't want to sound biased but you can't go past a 9'1 Fanatic Allwave at your weight.. It is a great and very forgiving board. You can spend a lot of money on boards that disappoint but the Allwave is probably the best board to get started on and then move on to the Prowave. The Allwave is wide , stable and has good volume which are very important to someone starting out. And let me tell you, stability is everything for beginner.

Thanks everyone.

I ended up buying a second hand 2013 Naish GT 11'4" x 30" - I just couldn't go past it at the price it was and figured I was trying to be a hero with a shorter board and just needed to do my time on something a bit bigger first, so that I enjoyed myself.

I also picked up the latest version of the Naish adjustable carbon paddle (8.5") (from my old ski paddling days I figure a great paddle was a good investment) and had my first session today.

It's a bit windy, but the 11'4" was easy to get up on, great stability lengthwise and a tiny bit tippy (for this newbie) sideways, but only had 3 dunkings for my first session in reasonably flat water and very small waves of Torquays 'cosy corner'. (Which takes my entire SUP experience to 2 hours now ;-))

I'm useless at changing stance at the moment to pick up waves and 100% focused on staying upright and paddling, so that will be fun to learn.

I think it might be an easy board to gain confidence on, and then if my crap body holds up - I'll transition to something shorter and keep the 11'4" for small days, playing with the kids and general fitness.

I appreciated everyones advice, absolutely inspired by the video's here and can't wait to progress - Hopefully see you in the surf one day!

I got the Nalu 11'4 for my first board in 2010 and loved it. It does everything well. I only sold it recently to partially fund the next board which was a Mana 9'5. The Nalu is great for getting into nose walking too. It's also spot on for bumpy reef days down the coast but still rides well on overhead stuff.
Too many people make the mistake of going small. Good choice