Hi Guys,

Have played around on SUP boards for a while, and think i'm ready to take the plunge and buy one.

I'm 6 foot 2 and around 110kgs so definitely on the bigger end of the scale. I would like a board that will be stable enough on flatwater as well as good fun on say 1-3 foot waves at the point.

Any recommendations in terms of brand, board length, width & volume?

ThanksDave

Hey Dave,

I'm 6'2" and was about 120kg when I bought my 10'6" Evoke a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. I had done some flatwater paddling but I didn't have a lot of SUP experience in the surf (but did surf a lot as a teenager) and the first month or so was a battle with the stability but I got there.

Looking back it would have made the learning curve even harder but I probably could have shaved some volume (its at 180l) and gone with the 9'6" version as now I'm sitting around 100kg and would prefer a little less board but it has been great for the wife and kids to have fun on as well.

I think I paid around $1200 for the board, a decent carbon paddle, rope and bag which was hard to go past given convincing the Finance Minister I would stick with it was a factor. The shape has gone really well in everything from small river mouth mush through to a well overhead session last year that I probably shouldn't have been out in.

Definitely recommend around 180l to 200l to start with. If you go small too fast you will regret it and probably won't enjoy it very much.

If you're looking for something on the cheaper end of the scale then have a look at the Sunny King boards. They seem to be all right.

Other than that you have options like the Naish Mana and a bunch of other brands that have boards in an appropriate size.

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Mahanumah said..
Definitely recommend around 180l to 200l to start with. If you go small too fast you will regret it and probably won't enjoy it very much.

If you're looking for something on the cheaper end of the scale then have a look at the Sunny King boards. They seem to be all right.

Other than that you have options like the Naish Mana and a bunch of other brands that have boards in an appropriate size.

even at 180l the first 4 or 5 times I went out I ended up with grazes on my knees and elbows from dragging myself back up over the deckpad so many times

Evoke a great priced board and great shape for the surf. Can start at a comfortable size and progress smaller without breaking the bank. I ended up keeping the 9'2 when I downsized to the 8'6.

Something like this would be perfect if you are wanting a fun board that surfs unreal paddles easy and is built for the bigger person in regards to construction so you want get stuff like deck sinking and so on. Also on sale at the moment.
www.oneoceansportsaustralia.com/shop/11ft-x-33

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DaveSeaford said..
Hi Guys,

Have played around on SUP boards for a while, and think i'm ready to take the plunge and buy one.

I'm 6 foot 2 and around 110kgs so definitely on the bigger end of the scale. I would like a board that will be stable enough on flatwater as well as good fun on say 1-3 foot waves at the point.

Any recommendations in terms of brand, board length, width & volume?

ThanksDave

Hi Dave
Welcome to the Breeze!

I am stoked you are going to get serious about SUP!
A board for SURF and flat-water is a great start.
There are many good choices out there, with lots of size shape options.
To make any useful recommendation, I would need to know exactly what your experience has been.... SUP and surf.

Are you a surfer?
What style board and what skill level?
If you have surfed a SUP, what did you ride and how did it suit you?
Age matters as well.
Is your paddling goal casual flat-water or distance?

To make best use of your money, getting a well suited board takes consideration of your experience and goals.

If you don't want to post all your personel info, feel free to PM me... I'd be happy to help you make an informed choice.

I have a couple that I reckon would do you well.
there are two Starboards that are great and one is a handler way beyong it's obvious size.
The current Starboard Whopper (10x34) and the Avanti (11x36).
The best value /weight construction is the lite tech.
The Whopper is just within you weight range, but handles waves way beyond it's apparent width. It an ongoing shape so you can prob find a second hand or new older model as well.
The Avanti is it's slightly bigger brother and I haven't ridden it , but it would give you a bit more leeway bouyancy wise.


If you want cheaper, but a bit more fragile Global surf industries Adventure mx 11'6" x 33" allrounder is a nice board (220litres). Quite a fast shape but the pick used to be the carbon model. I love paddleing this board but the fin box is not overly strong and ours got ripped out just hitting the beach in small waves ( very small). I reglassed it it and it has been pretty good since. The supplied fin is solid glass and way too big and heavy. Not a great turner though. (au.surfindustries.com/products/adventure-paddleboarding-all-rounder-stand-up-paddleboard)

GSI have a CX (Carbon) 11'6" seriously reduced in their outlet store. I use mine as a cruiser for chop and flatwater. As Gregjet says it doesnt turn real well. Light enough for its size in CX to get up on the racks at 12.7kg.
I also use a 10' Whopper and endorse his comments. Being older than most and new to the sport I went for stability.

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Chuck46 said..
GSI have a CX (Carbon) 11'6" seriously reduced in their outlet store. I use mine as a cruiser for chop and flatwater. As Gregjet says it doesnt turn real well. Light enough for its size in CX to get up on the racks at 12.7kg.
I also use a 10' Whopper and endorse his comments. Being older than most and new to the sport I went for stability.

That's the same board I have ( tail cut down to 11'2" so I can use it in the allrounder class SUPracing). It is my favourite allrounder and is pretty quick ( got my first and only under 30min 3km on it). Having said it doesn't turn real well stock, it does have 3 fin mounts ( the two outers are excellent, taking both clip in fins and std two tab). You can make the board turn better by reducing the big centre fin to a shorter one. The CX is a great board ( with a fragile finbox . It broke and ripped out from sliding into the beach). I would have recommended it but the Aussie GSI site didn't have any of the CX's only MX's.

I saw the CX on Marketplace recently while looking for a family member thinking about having a go. I will try a smaller centre fin out. Cheers

Chuck46, I doubt you will be disappoint with it , as long as you are careful with the fin (box really). If you are buying it secondhand check the main finbox for cracks. Much easier to replace the box and the soft foam insert attached to it , if it hasn't actually ripped it and the messed up the surrounds ( like I had to). If you repair before it rips out the width of the repair would be about 2cm narrower and the same in length. That actually filler has carbonfibre arrow shaft offcuts in it to add strength and a better quality finbox.

As the fattest guy in SUP i feel i qualify to answer here.

I started on a Starboard Avanti. There is no other way to go. It does flatwater and surfs well for its size.

This reply is a thread killer - believe me, we are done here. Starboard Avanti.

NSP Elements Allrounder 10'6"x32" will also do it all for you as well. Both the Avanti and the NSP are well made and good in small surf. That 11'6" Adventure is a new CX for $900 (run out on the Carbon Fusions). I think it is more for flatwater and chop but Gregjet might disagree. How did you find the 36" width of the Avanti, chucktheskiffie?

Dave
I'm like you a fuller figured gentleman around around your weight been a surfer all my life then went to sups because of cancer in the shoulder and over the years I've had several Whoppers and an avanti both boards are very stable and surf well in most conditions but are very costly and avantie's are very hard to get I'm now currently riding a Sunoav Speed 10' XXX construction and this board is really stable and surfs great should have a look at them 193 liter's can't go wrong

I have to say I do like the look of the Avanti. Not having paddled one I was reluctant to comment.
The CX 11'6" is Ok for treating like a race board in the waves. It is a handful to turn on waves BUT it catches them just fine. I do agree it is a better flat water/chop/explore board. Actually not just better for those but as an explore /flatwater allrouner shape board it is exemplary. If I just want to go and poke around in a river , first choice is the 11'6" adventure. Having said that I suspect my new waterline will make the aforementioned feel like a blimp . I suspect I would like the Avanti as well.
PS I am more average weight /height.

Dave seaford Im 6 ft 1 and 127kg. I have been riding an avanti for 8 years. Think like a pontoon but with a thruster tail. The board flies in flat water so its great for cruising the river or lake and you can advance quickly on it. Mines still like new 8 years later. Let me warn you it is a heavy bugger. If you go star lite it will make a big difference and blue carbon even more 5kg lighter.
If you can find a second hand these are virtually industructible.
Most guys get them when they are overwieight then keep them to take the kids or dog along as its such a pontoon.
You are much lighter than me so maybe a widepoint for the surf, or naish longboard. I like the new ones they have at surfboard wharehouse and also the ECS wide surf is really good on the waves.
I'll post how big the old girl is for ya.
pump.

The Widepoint category has gone from Starboard for the new year. There is Wide ride with Avanti and Whopper in it and the Widepoint group seems to have become Wedge group, which includes the old ( unchanged ) litetech Wide point 10' 5" ( that I have and love). There is a 11'2" board that could suit a bigger rider. I am only 85kg and I reckon I am at the upper limit of the the weight range for beginner /intermediate sup surfer, as is not a particularly stable board when standing still ( which makes it a pretty good turner). It has a new shape 10'2" x32 with an extra 5litres over the Widepoint that may be a bit more stable and still turn OK.

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DaveSeaford said..
Hi Guys,

Have played around on SUP boards for a while, and think i'm ready to take the plunge and buy one.

I'm 6 foot 2 and around 110kgs so definitely on the bigger end of the scale. I would like a board that will be stable enough on flatwater as well as good fun on say 1-3 foot waves at the point.

Any recommendations in terms of brand, board length, width & volume?

ThanksDave

I am 6'4 and around 110kg. My first board that got me into the waves and which I still have and use to cruise is Jimmy Lewis Hanalei 10'8x29x160l. A really great crossover and despite its size works really well in waves, especially smaller ones. You can use a 2+1 fin setup for waves and a bigger single fin for cruising.

I don't use it for waves any more as I have smaller and more agile boards but it is a lot of fun for paddling around the coast when there is no waves but you still want to spend some time in the ocean, cruise around and catch occasional ankle biters. It paddles great and is pretty fast. Not a race board by any means but fast enough to journey the coast.