Hi. I need some advice. I have not surfed for 20 years. I am now 62 y.o., 177 Cm and 100kgs (way too many pies)! I want a sup for surfing small waves at my local beaches in Warrnambool. I don't want an overly long board if I can help it. I sort of understand the width and volume thing. I have become interested in a few boards, being the Sunova Speeed 10' x 34" x 5" @197 litres, the Fanatic Allwave 9'8" x 33" @ 187 litres, and the Starboard Whopper 10' x 34" x 4.3" @ 171 litres. On paper, all will float me, especially the Sunova Speeed. But, I don't want something that's a dog to paddle, or too unstable. Should I forget these and go for a barge? I was hoping that I can have something that I could surf and be a bit manoeuvrable when I become more proficient. Any help or advice much appreciated.
I'm a bit younger and a bit lighter than you, have ended up after 4 years and 4 boards on a Tom Carroll Outer Reef 11'6". I think it's 33" wide, but tricky underwater shapes make It nice to paddle, serious cred. in the design department behind it.
I think wider boards you have mentioned will want to turn in a circle. Outer Reef comes in shorter and narrower models, but I have found the "float" very reassuring, and its' flat water paddling way better than expected.
If I was clever I would post a link to the website. I think you will struggle to demo one down your way (or anything) but if you can get up to Melbourne, Warwick at KR SUP should be able to organise something, even if it is a paddle on mine!
I'm sure a reasonably proficient surfer could surf one of these from the tail without a problem, once confident.
I'm between 105-110kg most of the time...
I'd say try a 10" Jimmy Lewis Striker or Sunova Steeze 10" or Sunova The One.
Plenty of performance as you get your sea legs back, and plenty of stability.
The round nose and flat rocker will help enormously with stability, however it would really help if you started paddling in the flat water before going out in the surf. You'll fall a heap initially but the reward is there once you get used to balancing.
You could take the easier route and go a barge (whopper etc) to learn on, knowing that in 6 months you'll move it on. Nothing wrong with that, but you'll spend extra dollars...
I have owned a Speed and wouldn't recommend it at all for you. too wide, too big, too hard to turn unless you are right back (which is really hard to do on small waves). Smaller Speeed's are sweet in better conditions (8'8" and below lengths).
I still think the Naish Nalu 11'4" is a fantastic all round big guy board that your skill would never outgrow.
I'm a similar age and build. Started sup-surfing on a 11' high volume board, quickly dropped a few times and now on a 9'5 147 litre Striker. I've ridden smaller but due to age and fitness level I think I'm about in the right place, wouldn't go longer than 10' now. if surfing was your thing it will soon come back to you!
i think the selection you have on your post is in the perfect range ...
pick the pretties one and get out there,
you did forget one ,naish 10 mana .this is what i started on ...its 33 wide ...so will surf better than a 34 .and not feel as bargy .
I'm a fan of longboard shapes as they go in so many diff types of waves. I'd be looking at a longboard shape or a big lads surf shape which is shorter but wider. Check the widepoints from Starboard or the Drive...the Drive was a very easy board to surf in many waves in the right hands. The Nalu is a timeless shape too....Zuesman is right that the 11 4 is a great big boys board but maybe that length might not be what you are after....but I loved mine. The bigger Manas and Allwaves will be stable but surfy. Hoppo's suggestions would work too.
Dont go too small....enjoy it rather than struggle. I think the big Speeed isn't a good option though....I don't think that shape at that size will be fun.
Ocean44, I am only 57 years old, but also at 100kg.
What I found is that with age, our reflexes are slower, so we need need width, especially in the nose and tail. I guess I need now 2" more width than I would have needed 20 years ago.
But we do not need more volume, especially with a surfing background. More volume will bring a corking effect that makes things actually less stable, and feel like a barge in the surf.
So I would recommend a wide nose and tail 9' to 10' board, at least 32" wide, but in the 130 - 150 liters range, no more.
I started on a 7'6" board, that was a mistake. So I got a 9'6" but with a 155 litres volume, and that was a mistake too, I used it 3 times, and got afraid being out of control with it quickly as the (small) waves hollowed out. I was then happy for 18 months with a 8'11" x 31" x 145 litres with very wide nose and tail.
