Hi guys,

i have already spent quite some time reading this forum and finally it is time to get some advice from you guys.

I am 28 years old, from Germany, 5?11? & 160lbs. After taking some lessons on a Fanatic Fly 11?0? i am in love with this sport and i am ready to invest some money to buy my own gear.

What is my purpose? I am searching for a board that is mainly suitable for two things:
a) riding on waves (dutch/french coast mainly)
b) doing workout on flat water, e.g. practicing, learning, having fun

The ratio will be around 50/50, since i am currently located approx. 100 miles away from the next coast, meaning that i will get to it every couple of weeks if i am lucky ? maybe even in favour for flat water. Touring is currently not on my wishlist when i am on flat water.

Like so many others, i am starting with searching for *one* board to fullfill my needs as described above. I know that once being affected, I will end up with multiple boards but for now, I want to start with one to check out if i really like it on the long term. After checking out some small waves with the Fanatic Fly, I found it quite challenging to maneuver it quickly (might also be due to lack of skills). So with reading this forum and various other ressources, i am currently looking for a Fanatic Allwave 8?11?, although i am totally not attached to any brand at all. I am hoping that this board gives me decent abilities for waves without getting a board that is too short to get comfortable with next to also having some fun on flat waters. Like i said above, i do not expect to have a comparable speed like a 11?0? board (and bigger), but i mainly want to use it on flat water for workout, relaxing, after-work riding, etc.

After doing some research I think that such a board might be a good compromise for my aims and will suit my needs. What do you guys think? Is the Allwave the right choice for me? Should I even have a look at the 8?6? version? I definitely dont want a board that is too short for me to begin with to avoid frustration. On the other hand I also want something for waves and my feeling is that I should stay below 9?0? if i want to... Am i wrong?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Kind regards,
Jan

go 11 foot plus x 32 " surf and cruise ...... fun !

I suggest a Starboard 9' 5" Widepoint. It will give you stability in the surf and surfs really well but also will paddle flat water well. I rode this board for 1 1/2 years. Excellent board.

Fanatic Fly Allround 10'

seja... I was thinking Allwave, then saw that you were as well.... good choice.

At 160 and 28 years old, you should be fine on the 8'11. It may be a bit of an adjustment coming down from 10' boards, but you are correct... the bigger boards are a lot harder to maneuver on a wave.

I am 220 lbs and the 8'10 Allwave provided plenty of float and stability for me... even in full winter gear.

I paddle flat-water whenever there is no surf. I paddle surf SUP's only.
(I won't buy a dedicated flat-water board, because, if I spend money on a board... it has to fit into my surf quiver)
I paddled my 8'10 Allwave 5 or 6 miles every flat-water trip... many times a week. It was fine. I don't go fast... but I go. And I have a blast.

You can probably find deals on last years model (new or used)... they are good boards if you want to go that route.

I think for your size and the mixture of paddling you anticipate that 8'11 is too small. You can get boards in the 9'6 to 10'6 range that surf very well and will give you a better flatwater experience. The Starboard 9'8 element is my go-to board for surfing I find its better even than my 8'11 widepoint and much more enjoyable to paddle in the flat.

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Marce said..

I suggest a Starboard 9' 5" Widepoint. It will give you stability in the surf and surfs really well but also will paddle flat water well. I rode this board for 1 1/2 years. Excellent board.

+1 on this recommendation, I've got the 8' 10" WP, and it's too short for flat water paddling, it's too turny for that, too much side swapping with the paddle, but awesome in the waves. The 9' 5" straightens out much better, and at 32" wide, you can dance on it, any wider that that, and you will get tired of it quickly in the surf, and be banging the rails too much with the paddle. I've got a 32" x 10' semi-custom, all arounder for flat water & surf and it's a perfect size for cruzing, and having fun, but you'd get beat in a race easily.
But racing is a different animal all together, don't know why I brought it up.

Thanks for your suggestions, guys - really appreciating it.

I had a look for the Starboard, unfortunately i could not find any dealer here within reach that offers this board.

However, i got an offer for a 9' 2" fanatic allwave 2013 in nearly unused condition - this seems to be like a good fit?

Jump on it if it's a good deal....The 9'2 will be fine for you... just that much more float and comfort, but will turn easily in surf. Contrary to the typical response I see when I mention flat-water on an Allwave... I have always been quite happy to paddle many hours on any of my Allwaves, they track ok and glide reasonably well for a surf SUP.

Welcome to a great sport Jan.

I agree you don't want to go too short to start with. I am only 150lbs and shorter than you. I recently bought my 8'10 Allwave (2nd board) after a lot of time on flat water and surfing and I love it!

Starting out though I think the previous post of 10ft Fly would be great or even the 10.6. I found this board to turn great in the surf even with my light weight. You are also right about technique being a factor. With your weight on the back foot and planted near the rail, it will turn really well. But also track great in flat water. My Allwave is a bit of a chore to paddle long distance to our bay surf break compared to others.

You mentioned practicing and fitness...yep choppy windy crappy conditions are great for this. Most guys wont go out but this is the fastest way to learn stability and get a workout. For fun on the glassy days on flat water learn to pivot turn and correct paddle technique. (There are plenty of YouTubes on these). But you can't beat getting into the waves to boost the fun factor

Just my 2 cents.
Rory

Thanks guys - i am getting the allwave 9'2", i think it will be lots of fun.

Any paddle recommendation? I know that a good paddle is very essential, so I want to go for a good one and not a cheap one that will be replaced too soon.

I got a recommendation for a quickblade kanaha surf - I definitely want to go the carbon way (unless there is something I am missing).

Paddles are different things to different people... demo as many as you can before laying out a chunk of cash.

Paddles are easy to exchange in the water... I just ask people if I can try their paddle. Cheap way to find out what suits you.
On a 5 mile paddle the other day, we had 3 different paddles... we just swapped back and forth.

I like Ke Nalu's. I have the smaller Wiki and mid sized Miliko, both on Xtuf(s) shafts. I mainly use the Wiki, to protect my shoulders.

The best paddle I have used is the Naish Makani Adjustable 8 inch wide. Very light strong and the handle stays lined up to the blade when you adjust it. Make sure you get an adjustable paddle. You will be tweaking the length as you progress and go from flat to surf.

My Fanatic carbon pro lets in water and i can't get it out so is going back to the shop. :(

I want to thank you all guys in helping me getting the right board and paddle.

I am now with a 9'2" fanatic allwave 2013 and (after some testing) the above mentioned makani 8.0 vario paddle - and it is a dream! Floats me perfectly, the paddle is easy the best paddle i ever had in my hands.

The only thing i need to do is finding a bigger fin for flat water; with the default fins I have to switch hands after 2 strokes.

seja.... before you switch out your fin... work on your technique...it is very easy to go straight on that board as long as you want.
The results will greatly help your surfing.

Hints:
weight a bit towards the opposite rail...
practice a "C" stroke
at the beginning of your stroke, pull slightly towards the board... then straight back, then turn the blade a little bit away from the board as you take it out.

on the RIGHT side of the board, the blade moves like this:

\
l
l
/

Good move. Anything shorter is going to be a pain to paddle on flawater.

Alternating paddle strokes to either side is not going to hurt you either. It's a natural thing.

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supthecreek said..

seja.... before you switch out your fin... work on your technique...it is very easy to go straight on that board as long as you want.
The results will greatly help your surfing.

Hints:
weight a bit towards the opposite rail...
practice a "C" stroke
at the beginning of your stroke, pull slightly towards the board... then straight back, then turn the blade a little bit away from the board as you take it out.

on the RIGHT side of the board, the blade moves like this:

\
l
l
/

by your description it would look like this for the RIGHT side

/
|
|
\

Great advice from the guys re technique.

You can also stiffen up the turning of the board by pushing the centre fin to the back of the fin box. This may save you from needing to buy a new fin while you are learning. You could move it forward when you are surfing to loosen up the turning.

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husq2100 said..

supthecreek said..

seja.... before you switch out your fin... work on your technique...it is very easy to go straight on that board as long as you want.
The results will greatly help your surfing.

Hints:
weight a bit towards the opposite rail...
practice a "C" stroke
at the beginning of your stroke, pull slightly towards the board... then straight back, then turn the blade a little bit away from the board as you take it out.

on the RIGHT side of the board, the blade moves like this:

\
l
l
/

by your description it would look like this for the RIGHT side

/
|
|
\

But hes in the Northern Hemisphere ;)