Hi. looking for a new sup to replace my old 2015 8'10 widepoint.... thinking a Smik Hipster but unsure of size to get? Im 90kg and low side of intermediate rider eg I have good balance but not a big turner of board. Looking for something still thats got good stabilty and fun but that can progress my riding slowly. Not sure if I should 8'3 - 8'6 or stick with a 8'10.... thoughts please?

Gday Dave. I'd put my ability roundabouts where you've parked yours and am really enjoying my supsurfing and progressing it plus I prone regularly and for 40+yrs.
So I've recently changed from an 8'7" Starboard Wedge/Widepoint to an 8'10" Smik Hipster V3 and absolutely love it. The board is stable paddles into and catches waves better and turns/responds better also. I'm also taking later drops and generating heaps of speed through sections. I don't consider myself an expert on the ins and outs of sups due to my level so just offering you my personal experience-which is that I feel I'm on a much better board and am already advancing. I'm fkn stoked!!!
I went longer to maximise stability and paddling and its worked and feel in no way compromised. I went Smik carbon for quality and longevity, which is why I went Starboard. I had a 9'5" TR3 Sunova Placid which snapped and then creased after I repaired the snap-not going there again. I had emailed smik and got a reply from Scott whom recommended the 8'10" and eluded to the fact Placid was a copy of the hipster, which has been bashed about these forums anyways.
Hope this helps mate. Cheers

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backbeach said..
Gday Dave. I'd put my ability roundabouts where you've parked yours and am really enjoying my supsurfing and progressing it plus I prone regularly and for 40+yrs.
So I've recently changed from an 8'7" Starboard Wedge/Widepoint to an 8'10" Smik Hipster V3 and absolutely love it. The board is stable paddles into and catches waves better and turns/responds better also. I'm also taking later drops and generating heaps of speed through sections. I don't consider myself an expert on the ins and outs of sups due to my level so just offering you my personal experience-which is that I feel I'm on a much better board and am already advancing. I'm fkn stoked!!!
I went longer to maximise stability and paddling and its worked and feel in no way compromised. I went Smik carbon for quality and longevity, which is why I went Starboard. I had a 9'5" TR3 Sunova Placid which snapped and then creased after I repaired the snap-not going there again. I had emailed smik and got a reply from Scott whom recommended the 8'10" and eluded to the fact Placid was a copy of the hipster, which has been bashed about these forums anyways.
Hope this helps mate. Cheers

Hey I really appreciate the feedback... we sound very similar to where we are at, I'm never gonna be a pro but like you want to have fun but slowly progress the skills.

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daveTron said..
Hi. looking for a new sup to replace my old 2015 8'10 widepoint.... thinking a Smik Hipster but unsure of size to get? Im 90kg and low side of intermediate rider eg I have good balance but not a big turner of board. Looking for something still thats got good stabilty and fun but that can progress my riding slowly. Not sure if I should 8'3 - 8'6 or stick with a 8'10.... thoughts please?

I'd go the standard 8'6" at you size daveTron, I come in just under 80kg and have a custom 8'6" x 29" x 115L Hipster, don't have any problems with the stability, but can get a bit tied after a few hours in tricky conditions. I am super happy with it and far exceeded my expectations on how well it surfs. As bb said, email Scotty if you have any questions.

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riverider said..

daveTron said..
Hi. looking for a new sup to replace my old 2015 8'10 widepoint.... thinking a Smik Hipster but unsure of size to get? Im 90kg and low side of intermediate rider eg I have good balance but not a big turner of board. Looking for something still thats got good stabilty and fun but that can progress my riding slowly. Not sure if I should 8'3 - 8'6 or stick with a 8'10.... thoughts please?

I'd go the standard 8'6" at you size daveTron, I come in just under 80kg and have a custom 8'6" x 29" x 115L Hipster, don't have any problems with the stability, but can get a bit tied after a few hours in tricky conditions. I am super happy with it and far exceeded my expectations on how well it surfs. As bb said, email Scotty if you have any questions.

Cheers RiverRider.

I think you are right, 8'6 will allow a bit more progression. If I was brave 8'3.... but probably have more fun on the 8'6.

I,m close to a 100kg, 47y Level okay but will never become really good because I live in the netherlands (the UK blocks our waves) so for proper waves I need to go on holiday. I ordered an Spitfire V2 8.6 but then tried a friend Hipster twin 8ft in France.
That board was a bit tippy in the kneehigh chop and 15knots wind but it rocked, and had to have one!! Another buddy has the 8.6 and although it is a bit bigger it didnt feel heaps more stable over the 8ft, so I got myself an Hipster 8.3 sitting i the middle. Personally I think an too big board makes you standing above the water and that make them less stable as a board that sits a bit lower so that was for me the reason to go 8.3 instead of 8.6.
The only kind of boards that are short and stable are the ones with a wide nose and wider tail like my Hypernut7.10 for example, Boards like that surf completely different and have an limit in how fast you can ride them due the thicker rails, but they do have there place (lower slower waves).

My quiverplan for now is:
Starboard Longboard10x29 for the longboard days/mood :)
Hypernut 7.10 for the crap at home.
Hipster 8.3 for the rare proper waves at home up and holiday,s Spitfire8.6 for the bigger and faster waves at the holidays.

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Jeroensurf said..
I,m close to a 100kg, 47y Level okay but will never become really good because I live in the netherlands (the UK blocks our waves) so for proper waves I need to go on holiday. I ordered an Spitfire V2 8.6 but then tried a friend Hipster twin 8ft in France.
That board was a bit tippy in the kneehigh chop and 15knots wind but it rocked, and had to have one!! Another buddy has the 8.6 and although it is a bit bigger it didnt feel heaps more stable over the 8ft, so I got myself an Hipster 8.3 sitting i the middle. Personally I think an too big board makes you standing above the water and that make them less stable as a board that sits a bit lower so that was for me the reason to go 8.3 instead of 8.6.
The only kind of boards that are short and stable are the ones with a wide nose and wider tail like my Hypernut7.10 for example, Boards like that surf completely different and have an limit in how fast you can ride them due the thicker rails, but they do have there place (lower slower waves).

My quiverplan for now is:
Starboard Longboard10x29 for the longboard days/mood :)
Hypernut 7.10 for the crap at home.
Hipster 8.3 for the rare proper waves at home up and holiday,s Spitfire8.6 for the bigger and faster waves at the holidays.

Hey thanks for that info, really helpful. I have a 8' Hypernut but have not had much luck with it, mainly used in windy days in quite steep short waves. I've ordered a Smik Stylelord 10 x 30 for longboard action... so it's the middle range I'm after when waves get a bit bigger.... hard to get stock but there is a 8'10 2022 hipster and a 8'3 2021 Hipster in stock... so might be worth having a go on an 8'3 as I'm only 90kg....

I'm in Whangamata, New Zealand so get a good mixture of waves.

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Jeroensurf said..
I,m close to a 100kg, 47y Level okay but will never become really good because I live in the netherlands (the UK blocks our waves) so for proper waves I need to go on holiday. I ordered an Spitfire V2 8.6 but then tried a friend Hipster twin 8ft in France.
That board was a bit tippy in the kneehigh chop and 15knots wind but it rocked, and had to have one!! Another buddy has the 8.6 and although it is a bit bigger it didnt feel heaps more stable over the 8ft, so I got myself an Hipster 8.3 sitting i the middle. Personally I think an too big board makes you standing above the water and that make them less stable as a board that sits a bit lower so that was for me the reason to go 8.3 instead of 8.6.
The only kind of boards that are short and stable are the ones with a wide nose and wider tail like my Hypernut7.10 for example, Boards like that surf completely different and have an limit in how fast you can ride them due the thicker rails, but they do have there place (lower slower waves).

My quiverplan for now is:
Starboard Longboard10x29 for the longboard days/mood :)
Hypernut 7.10 for the crap at home.
Hipster 8.3 for the rare proper waves at home up and holiday,s Spitfire8.6 for the bigger and faster waves at the holidays.

That is a very decent quiver you have got there which will cover any waves or conditions.

I have a similar quiver.

Hi Dave,Googled a bit and you live at a lot better wavespot as I do! Based on the footage: i wouldnt go too big with a board and go for the 8.3 or when you wanna be really save the 8.6. No reason to go bigger.If you ever feel depressed, watch the footage a guy shot at my homespot and you will instantly feel better :)

(That's why we ride to France or the UK whenever possible)

@Wazza: Thanx. Quite happy with it as well.
I got an 14ft touring board as well and wingfoil+wavesail gear so all the bases are covered.What sits in your garage?

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Jeroensurf said..
Hi Dave,Googled a bit and you live at a lot better wavespot as I do! Based on the footage: i wouldnt go too big with a board and go for the 8.3 or when you wanna be really save the 8.6. No reason to go bigger.If you ever feel depressed, watch the footage a guy shot at my homespot and you will instantly feel better :)

(That's why we ride to France or the UK whenever possible)

@Wazza: Thanx. Quite happy with it as well.
I got an 14ft touring board as well and wingfoil+wavesail gear so all the bases are covered.What sits in your garage?

Cool video...looks COLD ?? yeah here is a great spot for sure.

This time of the year between -5C on the cold days and +8C on the warmer.If next winter NZ is opening his borders we probably come "your" way.

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daveTron said..
Hi. looking for a new sup to replace my old 2015 8'10 widepoint.... thinking a Smik Hipster but unsure of size to get? Im 90kg and low side of intermediate rider eg I have good balance but not a big turner of board. Looking for something still thats got good stabilty and fun but that can progress my riding slowly. Not sure if I should 8'3 - 8'6 or stick with a 8'10.... thoughts please?

I had an 8ft 118ltr hipster, at 83kg, 56 yo 2yrs experience at time and it was plenty stable. I also had a 111 ltr 8'3" spitty, which had a similar level of stability to the Hipster. Think an 8'3" Hipster would be good.
Need to stand a little forward on the Hipster as it's got a wide nose, bit of a slow paddler into waves, but on clean days it's a design classic.

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Daveb27 said..

daveTron said..
Hi. looking for a new sup to replace my old 2015 8'10 widepoint.... thinking a Smik Hipster but unsure of size to get? Im 90kg and low side of intermediate rider eg I have good balance but not a big turner of board. Looking for something still thats got good stabilty and fun but that can progress my riding slowly. Not sure if I should 8'3 - 8'6 or stick with a 8'10.... thoughts please?

I had an 8ft 118ltr hipster, at 83kg, 56 yo 2yrs experience at time and it was plenty stable. I also had a 111 ltr 8'3" spitty, which had a similar level of stability to the Hipster. Think an 8'3" Hipster would be good.
Need to stand a little forward on the Hipster as it's got a wide nose, bit of a slow paddler into waves, but on clean days it's a design classic.

Awesome, thanks for that info. ??

Been thinking about this cos been having some good waves and my 8'10" has been going really well and Dave you said we were about the same level so I thought I'd pass this thought on. I initially got the 8'7" Wedge because that's where I wanted to be but was having difficulties catching waves and hard to define but wasn't clicking as well as I'd hoped. It's the lack of experience and not having a poo tonne of boards that creates that lack of experience.
Anyway my Wedge was in great nick to sell and I did some maths on what I wanted. I surf mainly open beachbreaks oftentimes with different direction swells and surface chop plus there's some bommies and low grade reefs/points that don't get surfed but may suit a sup but would require a stable board for backwash and distance etc. Big consideration and decider was where my skills were at the time of purchase-not where I wanted them to be-so what sup would suit now and could take me further in my skills. Saw the 8'10" x 32" Hipster, passed my thought via email to Smik Scott and haven't looked back. Even my prone mates are commenting on the improvements. Starting to do full cutbacks as my footwork progresses-stoked
I know in the future I'll probably move on but I'm not fazed by size at all. Just watch STC and Casso videos (thanks;-). So my take home message is get what suits your skills and surf breaks at this moment and worry about the future when you get there-oh and give Scott an email. Happy hunting bru

A thought about something a little different - I bought a Smik 9'2 x 29 Hipster twin Longboard and the thing is so much fun from waist high to just overhead (I haven't surfed it in anything bigger but am pretty sure it will handle it) that I cant see the need for another board anymore and sold my 7'5 x 28 ECS slab. I am not a down the line cruiser and like something that turns pretty hard off the bottom and can still be directed off the lip and hard cutties - the thing will respond no matter how hard you push it - I must say I have been pleasantly surprised thinking I would need an in between size board as well - despite initially wanting the 28"I won't bother changing. if you get the chance give one a buzz - you don't have to have a longboard attitude to ride one and I don't think you'd be disappointed.

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backbeach said..
Been thinking about this cos been having some good waves and my 8'10" has been going really well and Dave you said we were about the same level so I thought I'd pass this thought on. I initially got the 8'7" Wedge because that's where I wanted to be but was having difficulties catching waves and hard to define but wasn't clicking as well as I'd hoped. It's the lack of experience and not having a poo tonne of boards that creates that lack of experience.
Anyway my Wedge was in great nick to sell and I did some maths on what I wanted. I surf mainly open beachbreaks oftentimes with different direction swells and surface chop plus there's some bommies and low grade reefs/points that don't get surfed but may suit a sup but would require a stable board for backwash and distance etc. Big consideration and decider was where my skills were at the time of purchase-not where I wanted them to be-so what sup would suit now and could take me further in my skills. Saw the 8'10" x 32" Hipster, passed my thought via email to Smik Scott and haven't looked back. Even my prone mates are commenting on the improvements. Starting to do full cutbacks as my footwork progresses-stoked
I know in the future I'll probably move on but I'm not fazed by size at all. Just watch STC and Casso videos (thanks;-). So my take home message is get what suits your skills and surf breaks at this moment and worry about the future when you get there-oh and give Scott an email. Happy hunting bru

Thanks for backbeach. That's great to hear, what weight are you?

Hey Dave I'm 85kg and 6ft

hi Dave this board is great fun in head high slop, also comes in 29 wide. When it gets too big I crack out the JP 96 longboard. Have not tried the hipster 10 footers.

Hipster twin longboard 9'2 x 28 in north coast cyclone inspired latte bumps - MRs on front and darc drive nubster trailing.
me 5'10 x 78kg

Just saw this in Fremantle SUSS