probably been asked many times before, but here goes. Haven't sup'd in my life, but keen to start. Been surfing for 40yrs now, all on shortboards, but at the age of 52 looking to diversify. Rate myself as an intermediate to advanced surfer (more intermediate as I get older) but still enjoy surfing Indonesia, Fiji & Hawaii on a annual basis. For my first sup, am I kidding myself getting anything under 10'. I primarily want to surf my sup in 1'-4' surf range, but I know I need to pay my dues and learn to balance, paddle etc in still water first. Could I get away with say a 9'2" or do I need to start with a logger. Any help would be appreciated, as I have found sup's are not a cheap investment.
Cheers
Muso
P.S. I'm 5'10" and about 77kg's.

Hi there....if you use the breeze search thingy you will find heaps of postings such as this one :)
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Suggestions-for-a-beginner-board-pls/?SearchTerms=beginner

hi there
there are plenty of good boards out there for people of all abilities, you really have to go to your local store and just demo some boards and see what you like, if you want your board just for surfing then maybe look at some boards like naish mana, or fanatic allwave, both good boards, you could easily go a board under 10foot, you could possibly get away with a board that was 9'2 if it was something like the fanatic allwave as it still has volume and is stable, it would be harder for you to learn on at first but if you keep a it you'll be sweet, a big log style board would be easy to learn on but you would out grow it and then have to buy a new board, just demo as many boards as you can to see what you like, it'll be hard at first but keep at it and you'll be going in no time,good luck

Jarryd

a 9.2 allwave would be no problem at all. as stable as many 10 foot plus boards. demo the 8.10 allwave as well, still plenty of volume and stability for a 77 kg fellow.

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sameh said...

a 9.2 allwave would be no problem at all. as stable as many 10 foot plus boards. demo the 8.10 allwave as well, still plenty of volume and stability for a 77 kg fellow.

+1

I only started a couple of months ago like you surfing background mainly mals,search and tried heaps of boards finally brought a "Naish Mana 10'x32x43/4 heaps of volume 210 liters really excellent board very happy with it,little top end price.Mates brought NSP's one a 10'x32 I think and the other 10'6"x29 both good boards easy to ride good stability and at the cheaper end .I think they paid $879 with board bag and leash.i'm over 55 and having heaps of fun.just read everything you can and 10' isn't a logger width and volume are the key for a beginner Seabreeze has heaps of info about paddling,etc like I said just read everything
Cheers
Ron

I think that stability is the fast track to improving in the surf, more so than getting on a short tippy board ASAP. It will make it more enjoyable while finding your feet and allow you to tackle a wider range of conditions.
10' Mana or the Allwave, both very stable and surf well.
Good luck.

Hi Muso, I am the same weight and height as you and have surfed shortboards for 40yrs, I started paddle surfing at the end of Jan 12, I purchased a 9'6 allwave to use as a light wind windsurfer, sailed it once, now I am hooked on paddle surfing, the Allwave was great to learn on, stable and great to surf. I have just purchased a PSH 8'9 wide ripper, hard work at first but after 3 weeks I am loving the PSH, I am glad I had the Allwave to learn the technic of paddling etc I have kept the Allwave to use in crappy conditions and to flat water paddle with my wife!

Hi Mate,

You could defiantly paddle something under 10ft! Its not so much about the length of the boards, it is more so to do with the overall volume, width, thikness, outline as well as the length. If you can find a board that was an outline that holds its volume though the nose and tail with a bit of thickness and width you could easily go down to a 9'2". A prime example of this is the 9'2" Fanatic AllWave. It is 31.5" wide with a refined tail and a nice rocker-line, making it the perfect board to get into SUP surfing!

Good-Luck

Marcel

Just started a few months back myself. I went a bit hard and went to an old Laird 10' which is only 27" wide. Believe me, the width means as much as the lenght. When they say boards like that are "tippy", what they mean is they will have the beginner in tears getting used to them, if they can. Still, on any board it will be a reaonable learning curve with a lot of sore muscles.

Most other production boards these days are a reasonable width so most people can handle them. As an experienced surfer I would avoid the extremely wide boards. It is amazing how much easier a 28.5 is compared to my 27". The trick is to pick something you like the shape of.

Best bet if you can is to find a dealer with heaps of demo boards. It is also worth turning up to bigger SUP comps where a fewt reps will have there demo range.

With the trend for everyone to go shorter there are heaps of excellent second hand boards. This sites buy & sell has the best sellection.

Sounds like a starboard 9 x 30 Converse would be the ideal sup for you. Very stable at your size / lovely paddler / fantastic surfer in all conditions, and a proven and well loved board.