Good day,

I am interested in buying a SUP for wave riding in Portugal, looking at the Wedge in Limited construction

For mainly ocean swells 0,5-1,5 meter.
Previous experience is in windsurfing (20y) but nothing in waves.
I am good with boards (skateboard/snowboard/windsurf).
Currently 90kg at 1,89m, 40 years.

What size would you recommend for me as a beginner in SUP?
I was looking at the 10ft2 but not sure if the 9ft2 is better for me.
The smaller one would be easier with transport.

With windsurfing I like to have a bit bigger board under my feet for comfort, pretty sure that will translate to other watersports as well

Cheers!

I am pretty much same height, but have an extra 12 kgs on you. I have the Wedge 10'2", but that is mostly because I don't always have waves, so I use it for flat water fitness paddling as well. I've had it since May and take it out in all conditions, from ankle biters to 6 foot waves. The board surfs well, but I would recommend going for the 9'2" version for you. It has plenty enough glide and stability for your size.

My guess is that the 9'2", at 1.8 L/kg, is a little tippy your first time in the surf (but you'll be a little tippy first time no matter what), but then becomes very stable as long as you can get out somewhat regularly. If you're getting a Wedge rather than a longboard style shape, I'd assume it's cause you want to do turns on it, so you probably want the shorter 9-2 board. I've never rode an SB Wedge (did try a Wide Point) so I'm just guessing here based on my own experience on other boards (I am a similar age though).

Starboard should hold value better, but I grew out of my first board quickly and then could only sell it for like 40% of its retail price, luckily I got it on sale. So if you can borrow a friend's board for a bit (at like 1.8-2 L/kg) you might be able to get your initial balance dialed in and then buy the 9-2 or even the 8-7. I think I did like 3 sessions on a 1.8-2 board and then purchased a 1.65, which felt very stable after a few sessions going about 1x/week, moved on from that after ~ 5 months

have fun

Hi,
I'm 185cm, 87kg and have the 8'7 wedge. Very stable and very easy to surf.
I wouldn't want to go bigger, it's width and outline give it plenty of stability, would probably prefer it more if it a little less volume.

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Kisutch said..
but you'll be a little tippy first time no matter what
[...]
but I grew out of my first board quickly and then could only sell it for like 40% of its retail price, luckily I got it on sale. So if you can borrow a friend's board for a bit (at like 1.8-2 L/kg) you might be able to get your initial balance dialed in and then buy the 9-2 or even the 8-7.

This.

Dont buy a board thinking you will keep it after the learning stage.
Balance on a SUP in waves is so hard at first, you need the widest possible one to progress fast.

The you can shop for an expensive one, but at first, know that whatever your first board you will resell it.

Thanks for all the advice!

I thought I would be good for a year or 2 on a starter board but if I'm reading this right I will outgrow the bigger one fast.
While the smaller one will be a bit of a challenge in the beginning.

Advice from Starboard was that I would get used to the 9"2. The difference in maneuvering is big vs the 10"2.

I have a windsup I use for learning to wave ride using a sail, a Sealion Wings 8ft6 130 ltr and 29 inch wide. Works very good for me.
When I tried to stand on it without a sail and with some waves it was very hard.
I tried for 1 hr but did not manage to keep standing if a wave passed. So definitely too small for me.
Paddling on flat water was also not easy at first but later on I could stand on it.

I can look for a bigger banged up board 10ft6 33 wide for a bargain, then move on to a smaller one.
Nice to play around in summer for the family too.

Then go for the smaller 9ft2 Wedge or similar after a couple of months.There are a lot of offers in secondhand market for boards around 9 - 8"6 here.

I wonder what is the difference between a 10ft6 33 wide sup that is 5-8 years old and a new 9ft2 32 wide modern shape.

How much did the boards evolve over the past years?

I think you would outgrow the larger ones in weeks. I was (expensively) surprised how quickly I progressed. I think I played it 'too safe' early on. The 8'7 handles North Sea (UK) slop and chop well and was the board that really helped me progress much more quickly than my other boards. I still have it as a bit of a 'comfort' board but my wife uses it most of the time now.

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Robertos said..
Thanks for all the advice!

I thought I would be good for a year or 2 on a starter board but if I'm reading this right I will outgrow the bigger one fast.
While the smaller one will be a bit of a challenge in the beginning.

Advice from Starboard was that I would get used to the 9"2. The difference in maneuvering is big vs the 10"2.

I have a windsup I use for learning to wave ride using a sail, a Sealion Wings 8ft6 130 ltr and 29 inch wide. Works very good for me.
When I tried to stand on it without a sail and with some waves it was very hard.
I tried for 1 hr but did not manage to keep standing if a wave passed. So definitely too small for me.
Paddling on flat water was also not easy at first but later on I could stand on it.

I can look for a bigger banged up board 10ft6 33 wide for a bargain, then move on to a smaller one.
Nice to play around in summer for the family too.

Then go for the smaller 9ft2 Wedge or similar after a couple of months.There are a lot of offers in secondhand market for boards around 9 - 8"6 here.

Your progression speed will be dictated by how much time you put into it and how often.

Go paddling on flat and calm water, then progress to flat and windy conditions and then into the waves. That's how I did it anyway

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Napnap said..
I think you would outgrow the larger ones in weeks. I was (expensively) surprised how quickly I progressed. I think I played it 'too safe' early on. The 8'7 handles North Sea (UK) slop and chop well and was the board that really helped me progress much more quickly than my other boards. I still have it as a bit of a 'comfort' board but my wife uses it most of the time now.

This is good information! Thanks a lot.

Select to expand quote

theSeb said..

Robertos said..
Thanks for all the advice!

I thought I would be good for a year or 2 on a starter board but if I'm reading this right I will outgrow the bigger one fast.
While the smaller one will be a bit of a challenge in the beginning.

Advice from Starboard was that I would get used to the 9"2. The difference in maneuvering is big vs the 10"2.

I have a windsup I use for learning to wave ride using a sail, a Sealion Wings 8ft6 130 ltr and 29 inch wide. Works very good for me.
When I tried to stand on it without a sail and with some waves it was very hard.
I tried for 1 hr but did not manage to keep standing if a wave passed. So definitely too small for me.
Paddling on flat water was also not easy at first but later on I could stand on it.

I can look for a bigger banged up board 10ft6 33 wide for a bargain, then move on to a smaller one.
Nice to play around in summer for the family too.

Then go for the smaller 9ft2 Wedge or similar after a couple of months.There are a lot of offers in secondhand market for boards around 9 - 8"6 here.

Your progression speed will be dictated by how much time you put into it and how often.

Go paddling on flat and calm water, then progress to flat and windy conditions and then into the waves. That's how I did it anyway

I try so surf a couple of times a week. In summer most times will be on a SUP so pretty sure I will make some progress.
Will do a couple of sessions on flat and calm water to get the basics in. 2nd try on the 130ltr sup in 1,5m waves was a bit of a challenge :)

Another idea would be to get the starboard Longboard at 10' and 31 wide. I am the same dimensions as you and I learned on 140l board which was perfectly fine. Also the Longboard is something you could keep as a compliment to a smaller board once you get better. The bigger wedge you would likely outgrow quite quickly.