Hi all. Hoping for some advice and direction. I'm a very beginner with SUPing, but have discovered I really love it.
I'm extremely unco and still have crap balance, so falling off the board is still an issue for me.
No judgement on the next bit please- I'm a 5ft3 female weighing 130kg, due to steroid treatment I've been on for over a year for illness.
That being the case, I need something that's able to carry my hefty weight.
My other issue is that when I fall off the board, trying to pull that hefty weight back up onto the board can take me many, many attempts ( and is no doubt amusing to witness). I usually end up having to swim with the board until I can find a jetty or something to help myself climb back on.
Nerve and muscle damage due to my illness and medications mean that my arm and upper body strength is also pretty crap with regards to helping me get back on the board.
My feet arches also burn like hell after about 10-15 mins. Not sure if this is something I'm just going to have to suck up until I'm more experienced or if board style can help with this.
I'll also use the board to sit on and paddle until my fitness is better.
Yes, I know I'm fighting a few odds stacked against me, but I'm
determined to master this ( and maybe improve strength, balance and weight in the process).
I only want to use the board in stillish type waters, not surf.
Loading on and off my vehicle also is a factor, given that I will have to this solo and given that I'm short!
Budget wise, I'm probably going to have to look at second options I'm guessing, as I can only spend around $500, including the paddle. ( am I delusional with that kind of budget?)
So.... any recommendations for types of boards and also paddle styles? Any other tips? I'm located in Brisbane.
Thanks in advance for any help.

Hey Gillmaie

Perhaps consider some of these boards:

Starboard Atlas extra
Starboard Atlas
Blue Planet Sumo
Sunny King Yoga

I'm guessing that even 2nd hand that with a paddle you might want to double your budget.

Now is a great time to be buying a board.

Great to hear you're getting into the water and are up for the challenge!

I'd go down to the Goldy and visit the surfboard warehouse.

Maybe a soft sup or inflatable would be a good start.

the "glider" is a soft sup that's 200 Litres that would be more than adequate. Has a offset handle to make it easier for shorter people to carry. Keep in mind a 200L board is a big board and will weigh 12-13kg.

An inflatable could be a good idea also as it's much easier to carry around. The only problem is inflating/deflating each time you use it. They all come with pumps so it's not hard, just 10mins extra time.

I just priced it up, a soft board, paddle, leash and boardbag will cost $698. That's about as cheap as it gets really.

Also, buy a small massage ball (rebel or amart sell them for about $20) and stand on it on each foot and move it around a bit every day. Hurts when you're doing it but geez it works. (gets the small bones moving around in the foot which releases the tension that causes the pain).

good luck

If you are after an inflatable get a Redpaddle Ride 10.8 (or a Mega - the old version of the same board)

Just transport & keep it inflated.

Good luck. Happy learning.

Gillmaie
You are very wise... and have made a great choice, to learn SUP.

It is a struggle at first, but the rewards are huge.
I am 68. I was 130 kg when I started.
SUP is the one activity that I have had the passion to continue, year after year.

Within the 1st year I was down 30 kg and feeling fantastic.

Get a wide enough board to ease your path.... I learned on a Starboard Avanti at 36" wide.... fantastic board if you can find one.
Sell something you don't need and get the right board.... it will be the best decision you can make.

Go girl..... I am excited for you!

I'm new to SUPing as well and found my local dealer to be a huge help in getting me onto a board.
definately worth a talk with them at least.

Hi Gillmaie, drop in and see us. I have helped many in your situation before.

Select to expand quote

BrisKites said...
Hi Gillmaie, drop in and see us. I have helped many in your situation before.

+1 for the guys at BrisKites - Jas and the guys know their stuff.

On the concerns re. getting back onto the SUP from the water, maybe a couple of additional handles installed on the sides of the board (like on a competition rescue board) might assist with 'leverage' to get back up?



There are also options for loading & unloading a SUP from your car racks, and SUP wheels (or similar) to get your board from car to beach without carrying the weight, but these things can be a little expensive.

Best of luck with it all - as SUPTheCreek said, it's a great sport for weight loss & rehab, just make sure you learn some techniques for both in & out of the water that work around your current restrictions. BrisKites do lessons that may assist and they'll be able to give good advice

Most of all, though, if you're suffering nerve & muscle damage in your arms & upper body, definitely talk to your Dr. first before you get right into SUP. As you've no doubt found, those areas of the body do contribute a lot to forward momentum and self-rescue if needed, so it's vital to A) get the right advice, and B) while you're establishing your abilities, always paddle with a companion. There are SUP clubs around that you can attend Social paddles with if you join

My experience is mainly in researching and buying inflatable.

2.- Inflatables definitely feel better on the heels and feet, I went for a 2hr paddle yesterday on a hard rental board; my feet hurt after ~1hr, and my legs and back were sore. I bought my wife a Red Paddle 10'6 Ride which "I" inflated to 20psi and it sure felt a lot nicer on my feet.
3.- Inflating a SUP is really hard work, but it could help you with upper body strength/fitness.
4.- You've only got a couple of sessions left before you stop falling in, so don't give up and try harder!... maybe go round the tail of the board and shimmy/pull yourself up.
5.- Hard boards glide better so they're faster and require less effort to maintain speed. Inflatables pack down, store and travel better.
6.- Inflatables are usually less than 15kgs all up with bag, paddle, pump, etc...
7.- With a $500 budget I would just rent, you should be able to get a deal for about 100hrs... my wife's board cost $1500 with a discount, and it can't handle your weight. You'll need a board with more than 330l volume, so you're looking at $1400 - $2000.