Hi guys im new to sup, originally surf long boards. Came across to sup and want to sup surf ??i have recently purchased 10ft carbon evoke 170 liters. Im 6,2 & 105kg, i can paddle on flat water no worries but in the surf i suck, can stay up on my feet for bit then i go swimming again. I feel like boards rails digging into water fair bit does anyone have same issue? I can ride awave if i catch the wave on my knees then stand up but not ideal and looks embarrassing lol. I feel like maybe i should of got a bigger board around 180 to 200 liters for stability in the surf?? Or with alot more practice the board will feel very stable and comfortable??? I neeeed help thanks

Hey mate,

I'm about the same weight and learned on a 10' Evoke also. The size is fine, i'd practice surf specific skills on flatwater ie. turning the board around quickly, popping to a staggered stance whilst paddling quickly, stepping one foot back for a pivot turn etc.

Then go out in very small waves with somebody to give you tips in the water. If you don't know anybody to help, a lesson would be worth it.

When paddling for a wave you have two options on set up; normal stance and bending your knees as the wave picks you up to help lower your centre of gravity or having a staggered stance (which also helps lower your centre of gravity). Both of these techniques help stop digging a rail.

Another thing with your stance is bringing your feet closer together. Too many beginners have a really wide stance when paddling around. It sounds counterintuitive but wider feet will make the board feel more unstable (catch rail). My feet are actually narrower than shoulder width on my boards and it feels the most stable to me.

With practice you'll find the board will become easy to surf small stuff. I think it's too big/wide a board for bigger stuff. 1-1.5OH+

It won't be long till you want to buy a smaller board for waves. good luck.

I'm a bit of newbie as well. I have to keep reminding myself to bend my knees. That's really important.

I tell people who are new to surfing a SUP that they should psychologically think of the paddle as a walking stick and use it for balance. I found that helped me with my balance perhaps was all in my head

Hey kayd,
I replied to your message mate too. All the above advice is spot on. Just takes a bit of time
on the water and practice, practice , practice. Happy to catch a wave with you if you're anywhere near the Sunshine Coast in qld, just let me know.
My mates and I had a cracker session at Currimundi last Thursday.
Cheers
whitey.

Really appreciate your advice guys. Defiantly boosted my confidence and i cant wait to hit the water again keep practicing. Cheers

Your board sounds like a good size .and will do the job .so not the board ..I started on a 190 litre mana .@95 kg and progressed very fast and was looking for smaller boards after 3 months .
wait till you get some speed up before turning and.... find the sweet spot on your board .
try and pump the board to get the feel .shift your feet around .to find that spot .
it will come together .

All the above advice is spot on Kayd, one thing I noticed about this forum is that most of the crew are keen to help newbies, better to educate than to criticise!

I too am pretty new to SUP surfing and still occasionally jump between SB and LB as well. Sometimes I feel like I am going well then get humbled!

Stick at it and keep trying different things to find what works, for me just practising and picking the right conditions helped. Sometimes I get desperate and go out in less than ideal to test myself, with that mindset it takes away any pressure you put on yourself.

Have fun with it and treat it like a learning curve and the Stoke will carry you through mate, it's just so much bloody fun

Hey Mate,

One thing that will definitely help prevent your rail from digging in when catching waves is to have the paddle on the same side as your direction along the wave. For example, if catching a wave that is breaking right, you need to have the paddle on the right hand side when paddling onto the wave.

This generally means the left rail is sitting slightly higher that the right because you naturally lean on the paddle a bit. This prevent the rails from digging in on take off. Hope this helps.

I'm pretty New myself kayd,
started out on a 160L nalu at 100kg was all over the shop at first but after 3 months around the lake flats starting to venture out and catch waves now, main thing I found was picking the rite conditions in the surf, I was amazed how much the wind blew me around. But a few perfect mornings i.e. No wind 1-2ft, caught waves with ease and stoke level high still spend plenty of time in the water but hey beats mowing the grass.

Hey guys went paddling again today in 1 to 2 ft swell. My 4th 2hr session out & After taking in some advice from everyone on here. I had an absoulte blast, caught lots of waves from standing postion. Only started falling off frequently once i started to become fatigued and wasnt concentrating. Im so happy didnt go a bigger board due to my 10ft sup isnt the most lively on the wave, still really fun. Just need to practice my timming when going for wave.
Thanks again guys

I love a happy ending

you'll be getting a smaller one soon.

4th session out was clean 2-3ft starting to get used to the evoke loving it so far

I bought an Evoke 7'11 last June. Went down in length way too early but have stuck at it. After 20flat water sessions and seven 7 surf sessions finally started to get it going yesterday . Balance was not the problem , but catching enough waves was . I need to use it closer to low tide . Fat and higher tide waves are a no go for me on the 7'11. I just don't have the strength at 65kg to get that thing moving . Today I took it out in bad chop and was real impressed that I could catch waves and not fall of . The board has its place in my quiver

Hey Gboots, i hope one day i down size to 7,11 evoke they look awesome abd carve up. i need to loose few kg and get alot more stable. Bearly stand on my 10ft evoke with out falling off couple weeks ago. Whats size sup did you start on ??

9foot but I am only 65kg. The 7'11 is at 2 to 1 in terms Litres to Weight. Length has been the issue rather than stability.
Looks like you are doing mighty fine on that 10 footer. Great photos

Good Job Kayd...nice conditions.

Next thing is to stand further back on the board once you're on the wave. I'm sure it feels a bit stiff when trying to turn from the middle at the moment...

Probably best (at first) to shimmy back to get your left foot behind the handle. Then step back with your right foot to initiate turns... The further back you can get the looser the board will feel on a wave - thats where the fun begins!

I just posted the comments below on Board Talk re response to a 'tippy Speeed' however thought they would also be relavent here.
As a once whitewater kayaker where the only thing that keeps your head above water is your skill with the paddle I know that a SUP paddle is not just a blunt instrument for propulsion. Waving the paddle around in the air to regain balance is far less effective than having the paddle actively engaged with the water. To remain stationary you can do a figure of eight type of 'stir the pot' stroke to provide youself with very strong 'outrigger'.
Adding to that, a concept that has helped me is at the point of feeling you are loosing balance quickly drop by bending the knees as if sitting your bum down on a chair rather than allowing your torso to bend forwards with straight legs.
Watch the hot shots on tiny boards in tough conditions and you'll see the paddle is rarely not in or skimming the water.
Learning to use your paddle more will mean you can enjoy a smaller board. Best thing about a smaller board is less on the end of your leash in the white water or going over the falls!

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kayd said..
4th session out was clean 2-3ft starting to get used to the evoke loving it so far

YEW!!!!! Well done mate and I'm glad it's starting to click for you. Great photos too. Keep it up and keep the photos coming.

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Gboots said..
I bought an Evoke 7'11 last June. Went down in length way too early but have stuck at it. After 20flat water sessions and seven 7 surf sessions finally started to get it going yesterday . Balance was not the problem , but catching enough waves was . I need to use it closer to low tide . Fat and higher tide waves are a no go for me on the 7'11. I just don't have the strength at 65kg to get that thing moving . Today I took it out in bad chop and was real impressed that I could catch waves and not fall of . The board has its place in my quiver

Stick with it Gboots, it gets easier with practice as your timing gets spot on and you'll only need a couple of paddles to catch a wave. Glad to see you're improving and loving it.

Thanks yt. Was my best weekend on the Evoke. Unfortunately I got slammed on one of my last waves yesterday.Thought I badly sprained my thumb . Turns out I fractured the bone in top of my right thumb.
I could be out of action for a while.
Seeing specialist tomorrow.Doctor reckons I'll need a cast which seems overkill.

Hoppo
Defiantly agree with you, i had trouble turning the sup felt heaps stiff and was like a big bus lol. I will try shifting back onto the tail next session thanks hop

Cheers whitey had so much fun on sunday, im hooked on sup surfing. Got lots to learn still.

Gboots all best for speedy recovery

Hey guys, tried applying some more rail tape on my sup today as my first attempt was terrible with air bubbles everywhere. As i was applying rail tape then taking it off to straighten up i have peeled off good strip of clear coat which is very frustrating. I previously chipped a little bit of clear coat with my paddle that is also why tried to apply rail tape again but now has peeled off massive strip. Has anyone had same issue??

Hi kayd
I had a SUP that chipped easily in the past, and wanted to protect it.
I took some fine wet/dry sandpaper and lightly sanded the chips and scrapes smooth (so no air bubbles would get in the rail tape)

I used Rail Saver Pro with a pattern (to hide previous rail damage)
Get a clean spray bottle (windex or something similar)
fill with water and add a cap full of dishwashing liquid.

I tape one end of the RSP exactly where I want it
Start applying from the untaped end
Remove backing as you go
Lightly spray the rail and the tape (as peeling off backing)

When you get close to the taped end.... remove the tape and complete application.
The light water/soap mixture allows you to reposition the tape without damage or loss of stickum'
Work any air bubbles out by caressing the rail with a cupped hand.
Fingers squeeze out problem bubbles.

If you apply too much soap mix, the tape will refuse to stick down well for a while (15 min?)

It typically takes me a few minutes, start to finish, and is very easy to do.
Zero air bubbles or rail damage .