After a couple of wave sessions on a Sealion wings 8,6 I wanted to share my experience.

I moved to Portugal last year and decided I wanted to learn to ride the waves. I tried longboarding but I really missed a sail.

Conditions in summer are 10-20 knots side on with 0,5 - 1,5m swell. In winter the weather is all over the place, usually 1,5-2,5 m swell.

I was reading up on what works good in float and ride wave riding and decided on a Sealion.
Bruno Andre from AHD convinced me to take the 8,6 wings, not the 8,3 classic as the wings is much faster and easier to turn. Also ? 400 more expensive. He said I would be bored with the older shape after a while.

The board I use with an old Ezzy Taka 4,9. I weigh 90 kg.

Session 1: 8 knots 1,5 - 2,0 m Swell side on
Session 2: 10 knots 0,5 m Swell cross on
Session 3: 15 knots 1,2m Swell side on
Session 4: 15 knots 1,2m Swell side on

First session was brutal, I managed to get through the waves 1 time but generally I got smashed by the waves. I was afraid I would ruin my gear so I quit.

Second session: Very easy to get over the waves, managed to ride some waves but no turns just let them push me to the beach. I struggle with tacking, I guess I got used to 180 ltr foil boards.

After the first 2 sessions I was a bit unhappy with the small volume of the board (125 ltr)

Third session: More wind makes things a lot easier, easier to pass the waves, easier to tack, easier to catch a wave. Managed couple of backside turns.

Fourth session: A lot of surfers in the way constantly but I managed to catch a couple of nice waves. Managed front side and backside turns

I start to get addicted to riding waves, for now I prefer not to foil but ride the waves. The small volume doesn't bother me anymore, perhaps better to have lower volume and weight. I am amazed how easy the set passes through the white water and breaking waves.

It is also very easy to catch the waves, couple of pumps and off we go. After the sessions I am very happy with the board. I think it is a very good learning platform.
You learn to read the ocean, learn which waves are best to catch. It makes it very easy to do. It also allows to do it in easy conditions. The ocean is a different place at 15 knots than with 25 knots.
Another thing is not having foot straps. This reduces possible injury and forces you to use right technique and weight distribution on the board.Probably in a couple of months I'd like to add a proper wave board if I progress more.

For those early conditions you mentioned I'd want a bit more sail. Like a powerful 5.5 or even 6.0 like a Fringe or KS3

I use a windSUP in 0.5-2m at a river mouth break where there is a lot of side shore current so slog and ride on a big waveboard is a pain. I'm just a bit heavier than you and using a 106L Hypernut. A bit more board would be nice and I think you got it right, the Sealion is a brilliant board.

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Grantmac said..
For those early conditions you mentioned I'd want a bit more sail. Like a powerful 5.5 or even 6.0 like a Fringe or KS3

I use a windSUP in 0.5-2m at a river mouth break where there is a lot of side shore current so slog and ride on a big waveboard is a pain. I'm just a bit heavier than you and using a 106L Hypernut. A bit more board would be nice and I think you got it right, the Sealion is a brilliant board.

Thanks for the tip!I will keep my eye open for good deal on a bigger sale for the light conditions.

Side-on you could get away with a 5.0 but you'll likely be punished more often. So min 5.7 yes. Strapless that's quite impressive. Never seen anyone strapless in cabarete other than kiters!

I use a 4.7 for 70kg. In 13-18 knots it's very very border line both timing and luck play a big role. Waves also need to be worth it.. Can be like 3 (good) waves in an hour.

Honestly, unless I'm craving a session, Ill go out in at least 15-20 knots. Now in side conditions with nice waves is a different thing. Then you may need a different board!