I have ~30mins experience SUP'ing on flat lake, but I used to surf (poorly).
I'm looking at http://www.star-board-sup-archive.com/2016/boards/12-6-x-31-inflatable-touring/

This board is specifically designed for touring; what prevents it from also going in 1m surf? Is it manoeuvrability and/or the pointy end diving in? Don't get me wrong here, I just intend to do slow turns, no carving.
Since it's an inflatable wouldn't it also have a more pronounced rocker? Or couldn't I increase it by not pumping it up to max. eg: 15psi vs 18psi? More rocker = better rotation point?

What would the experience in moderate/small surf be vs the Red Paddle Ride 10'6?
How differently would these board handle each condition (flat water, large wind chop, surf)?

Also the Touring comes in Deluxe and Zen; the Deluxe can handle 12% more weight, it's 26.5% thicker with 15.5% more volume and has stiffening features... so a stiffer board I would assume lends itself to faster gliding over flat water... but what about chop and small surf?

I know the Ride is an all rounder, and the Touring is a flat water touring board, but realistically how bad would the experience be if taken out of it's design envelope.

This board looks flat and design for speed...


Now some of you might be thinking just get an all rounder, but what I noticed with an all rounder board is that they don't track well when paddling. The Ride 10'6 was also quite unstable... I think bcos I'm a noob, and its small fins ~3".

I have been surfing on the Starboard Converse Deluxe 9 footer for the last week in 0 to 3 ft. Goes great for an ISUP. Best thing is that it is safe for me and others .
If you plan to surf one I think the thinner models need to be considered. The one I have is 100mm thick and inflated to 18 PSI (I max it out )
That said I have been thinking of getting a Red Paddle Sport 11 or 12'6 for extra glide and to increase my wave count on 1 to 2 ft max

Thanks gboots.

Quick question: Is there any tribal discrimination against iSUPs?
You know like Para/Hanggliders, Kiters/Windsurfers, Surfers/Boogieboarders...

More curiosity than anything. People are surprised when they realise it's the real deal and not a toy

A hard board will always be better for performance surfing. But I'm a kook so either way it do don't matter . Just enjoying myself . Etiquette is more important in terms of earning respect

Your going to need a board with some nose concave to get out into the line up.
My avanti paddles quite well with its upturned nose but its super heavy.
Not sure the paddling payoff distance wise on the flats as mine is a hard board shaped like gboots inflatable and tracks well on the flats, however you can dig the rail in for longer side to side retention.
One factor to consider in the lineup is that you can see a lot on the ISUP so you are going to see things that you may not want to for others out there too. Ha Ha. Your like a spotter out there. With a hard board actually hurting other people can be an issue in crowds too.
Cant say I have seen any problems yet?
Just standing up on the board out in the lineup with the wind, crosschop, backwash and rip can take all your concentration anyway.