I've been lurking in the forums for awhile now, reading up on boards and reviews and opinions. I only have 1 race board atm - a 12'6" x25" Rod Hocker board that I've raced in BOP and flatwater and downwinders. I need a 14', but not a flat water board as I may do an occasional flat water race, but training on the flat bores me. So i want an ocean board. I live in Coffs so there's nothing to demo here, but happy to head up to the Goldy. Keen to try the new Fanatic. seen a lot of love for the SIC boards. I'm 52kg and 5'4, so I don't need a barge. Whats out there stock? Or should I go custom? (this is what I had planned w Rod) Thoughts? thanks in advance!

haha, cute chicks!

I'm sure someone will be along soon to recommend the 14x23 Starboard All Star.then maybe there are the narrower versions of the Naish Javelin range. But a less obvious choice, but one worth checking out if you can, might be a Mistral Equinox 14' X 24.6".

Lots of options at your weight/skill level. So you are lucky. But finding one light enough to carry comfortably is probably going to mean a high-end construction, therefore expensive, unfortunately.

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Kazz said..
I've been lurking in the forums for awhile now, reading up on boards and reviews and opinions. I only have 1 race board atm - a 12'6" x25" Rod Hocker board that I've raced in BOP and flatwater and downwinders. I need a 14', but not a flat water board as I may do an occasional flat water race, but training on the flat bores me. So i want an ocean board. I live in Coffs so there's nothing to demo here, but happy to head up to the Goldy. Keen to try the new Fanatic. seen a lot of love for the SIC boards. I'm 52kg and 5'4, so I don't need a barge. Whats out there stock? Or should I go custom? (this is what I had planned w Rod) Thoughts? thanks in advance!

G'day Kazz
Don't waist your time with a 14fter if you don't like flat-water I to hate flat-water.
Buy a SIC Bullet.
Check out Andrea Moller she to is like 52kg dripping wet and she's on a V3 SIC 17fter and has run out of board standing on the Tail - Go Andrea the Queen of Maui.

I'd love to design you a 15ft LOW PRESSURE Downwind Board you won't be disappointed. (who's up for a red thumb, hahahah)

Only one choice. Ace 23.5

Haha i think 52kg for Andrea is a bit of a stretch!! Maybe 60 kg plus after having her stand next to ang, remember phill muscle is heavy and she has a bit of that.

I would say have a chat to a few of the girls who DW paddle in aus and see what they say suits the girls here as that will give you a good idea. You can always contact Ang on here as she is just a bit heavier than you and does alot of DWing she goes under angie pangi and would be more than happy to help make sure you get something that suits.

I would say forget SIC as there DW boards are just to wide for your size i would be looking for something 24 to max 26 wide.

But best is to talk to people your size and find out what works and what does not.

Jacko

At 52kg and 5'4 a 14fter will be like a 17fter is to a 80kg+ person. Some of my lighter friends have tried my UL board and really do not like it at all. Far too much board for them to control or carry, and they don't feel safe on it when conditions feel lively. What works for a supreme athlete and general tough nut Andrea M is not necessarily going to work for mere mortals paddling in non-Hawaiian conditions.

But you'll never know until you try. Just try to demo as many different boards as you can, and you'll start to get an idea of what works for you. Speaking to other people in a similar position to you makes sense, but everyone is different, and few people have tried a wide enough range of boards to make valid comparisons, so others' opinions can't replace demoing boards yourself. Finding out what suits you is part of the fun. Good luck!

Here's Kathy Shipman this women's only 56 kilo's and she bought Jeremy Riggs old board 18'2'' by 24 inches

Kathy's background is she's an excellent Malibu Rider and a weapon of a Butterfly Swimmer. and hates SUPi paddling in the Flat.

I agree with Paul.. A 14' board that's between 24-26" wide.. There's heaps of great boards to choose from now.. Check with your local sup dealer and demo first if you can.. You can't go wrong with boards like the new Naish Maliko and the new Fanatic Falcon.. New Starboard Allstars and new skinny Coreban Dart.. I wouldn't recomend going custom.. or for a big unlimited size board..

Add to the list the new Jimmy Lewis Sidewinder, 14 x 23 and 14 x 25. Also the SIC FX 14 x 25.
Or "One" of Jacko's and Angie's Boards..

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paul.j said..
Haha i think 52kg for Andrea is a bit of a stretch!! Maybe 60 kg plus after having her stand next to ang, remember phill muscle is heavy and she has a bit of that.

Hahaha Paul, Andrea is very tinny I've email Andrea for her correct weight because I'm curious now, and yes muscle is heavier than fat. But CORE Strength is even leaner and stronger and Andrea is very Lean. look at Terrene Black now she is muscly.

The good thing about SIC is you learn quickly on them even a Novice will have fun like the Elite on a SIC ocean board, like Kazz said she's not really into flat-water paddling. and I agree it truly is boring.

I can't work it out every one that talks to me when I'm Downwind paddling says they want a Unlimited Board - I guess people don't want to put there hands in there pocket and pay the minimum $ 5 grand expense, I know once they paddle an Unlimited board they never look back I've seen it first hand.
If Ya Wanna Play You Have To Pay.

Even Terrene Black will tell you Unlimited Boards are more fun, but everybody races 14fters in Australia.

Here's Devin Blish she's a power house small in stature like 5'5'' would weigh in the low 50 kilo's hates paddling in the Flat but will smash herself to death in the gym going CrossFit classes. Devin has 2 Downwind Boards.

Devins SIC V2 Bullet 16fter

Devin's custom SIC 15fter V3 Bullet

Corgrats Paul you was right with Andreas weight when I saw Andrea last July she didn't look 62 kilo's

Andrea's background:- Surfer and Big Wave Surfer Downwind paddler, trains hard for Big Wave Surfing, will never train on a SUP in flat-water absolutely hates flat-water.

Email from Andrea
Hi Phill! Thank you! I’ll be back in the water son ;-)
My normal wight is 136 lb = 62Kg
(right now, after one month injured I lost all my muscle weight... I’m down to 128 lb = 58 Kg, but that is not my regular weight at all… I can’t wait to be back in shape)

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Area10 said..
At 52kg and 5'4 a 14fter will be like a 17fter is to a 80kg+ person. Some of my lighter friends have tried my UL board and really do not like it at all. Far too much board for them to control or carry, and they don't feel safe on it when conditions feel lively. What works for a supreme athlete and general tough nut Andrea M is not necessarily going to work for mere mortals paddling in non-Hawaiian conditions.

But you'll never know until you try. Just try to demo as many different boards as you can, and you'll start to get an idea of what works for you. Speaking to other people in a similar position to you makes sense, but everyone is different, and few people have tried a wide enough range of boards to make valid comparisons, so others' opinions can't replace demoing boards yourself. Finding out what suits you is part of the fun. Good luck!

hahaha

Once I'd rate highly for lighter people is the 2016 falcon 14x24.75.
Gets on to bumps with less effort than anything I've paddled but you need some balance.
Maybe the Ace 23.5 like Scotty Mac suggested.

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WINDSURFnSNOW said..
Once I'd rate highly for lighter people is the 2016 falcon 14x24.75.
Gets on to bumps with less effort than anything I've paddled but you need some balance.
Maybe the Ace 23.5 like Scotty Mac suggested.

I paddle DC custom boards and I know Dale could make a good custom to suit you however as far as stock boards go for your size/weight I agree with the 2 choices mentioned above.
My regular training partner is under 50kg and she loves her 2016 14 x 24.75 Falcon.

At 90kg it's way to tippy for me but she goes really well on it.

thanks for the input guys, and seeing all these amazing women athletes in one post! I love the look of your 18' Low Pressure Downwinder and enjoyed reading about its creation and performance! Beautiful looking board! Looks like it flies! I'll start w a 14' first though, but would love to try an unlimited in the future. I will message Ang and get her take, thanks Paul (I've met her a couple of times). And i guess the next step is getting somewhere where I can demo a bunch of boards. It's great to see that there are a lot more choices for smaller paddlers now. I tried the new Starboard Allstar (I think) late last year and although it was narrow and went fast in a straight line, it was hard to turn and manoeuvre on the bumps - felt big and cumbersome. I am confused about some of the vol on these boards. Some of them look huge!

yep the new Falcon looked good to me too. And it has a lower vol than similar width boards.

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Kazz said..
I am confused about some of the vol on these boards. Some of them look huge!

Thats why Cristiana loves her Falcon it is fairly low volume/weight and even at her size (shorter and lighter than you) she can still manouvre it ok.

Hi Kazz, Im a bit heavier than you but I have down winded a fair bit. My favourite is my SIC V2 Bullet but its only 12'6. The jump to the 14 shouldn't be too different though. It is a bit wider than what you are looking for but for learning on it is fantastic. Am about to do a DW today on an Allstar 25 & will let you know how I get on with that one.
If you can make it to the Goldy contact Surf FX they have a full range of demo boards & have someone that will take you out for a paddle to try a couple out if you like.

I could recommend the 2013 Naish Javelin LE 14x23 (or is 24?) if you can find one. Great all round and fast in the bumps and enough nose rocker if you doing ocean stuff. Would be perfect for your weight. I've had the 12'6x24 and it's one of the best all-round boards I could have got to start, and doesn't ding as easily as these new carbon boards of late (except SIC which are more durable in my books). still super light, my 12'6 was under 9kg!

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Themoke said..
Hi Kazz, Im a bit heavier than you but I have down winded a fair bit. My favourite is my SIC V2 Bullet but its only 12'6. The jump to the 14 shouldn't be too different though. It is a bit wider than what you are looking for but for learning on it is fantastic. Am about to do a DW today on an Allstar 25 & will let you know how I get on with that one.
If you can make it to the Goldy contact Surf FX they have a full range of demo boards & have someone that will take you out for a paddle to try a couple out if you like.

good to know, thanks! Will be up there in April so will give a call.

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hanza1111 said..
I could recommend the 2013 Naish Javelin LE 14x23 (or is 24?) if you can find one. Great all round and fast in the bumps and enough nose rocker if you doing ocean stuff. Would be perfect for your weight. I've had the 12'6x24 and it's one of the best all-round boards I could have got to start, and doesn't ding as easily as these new carbon boards of late (except SIC which are more durable in my books). still super light, my 12'6 was under 9kg!

I just saw one of these for sale on here. Like the price on a used rather then new board too:)

Naish maliko 14 x 24.

Just say no to a all star. Its not a dw board. If you must go star board the ace hands down.

Hi Kazz
There is a 14 SIC Bullet in SCC [single carbon construction] for sale in Brisbane on gumtree. Awesome board. [Disclaimer..I own it!]
cheers
Brad

You can buy my hobie 14 light weight, more flat water but does downing OK, I was surprised how well it went downing at the moose race and Im around 85 kg, would be a great board for a lady.