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Looking for a board for my wife and daughter

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Created by Millpond > 9 months ago, 9 Mar 2015
Millpond
QLD, 14 posts
9 Mar 2015 8:29AM
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Hi All

I am seeking some advice re the ideal board for my wife and daughter. Just over a month ago I purchased a used JP Fusion 9'8. They both love the sport now and one board between three is not enough.

They go fine on the JP from a balance perspective but have a bit of trouble with tracking. They have no interest in surf so I am after something that tracks well and has good glide. My wife is about 55 kgs and my daughter is a little more.

Been thinking of boards like the Naish Nalu, JP Allround and Fanatic Fly - just in case they want to get into little waves at a later stage (but if they never do then something that is still good on the flat is a must).

Would 11'ish by 30"ish be a bit too big for them to handle? I'm thinking that the longer models might make the tracking/glide better?

Any thought greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Andrew

Area10
1508 posts
9 Mar 2015 7:05AM
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It's about weight and volume more than just dimensions, I think. Most 11x30 boards are designed for big or powerful units, so I think that might be overdoing it. In my experience it is easy for guys to underestimate the difficulty that many women have carrying heavy boards. So think weight more than size.

But in general, your wife and daughter will probably have very different priorities than you in SUP choices so frankly the best thing to do, if you can, is to involve them closely in the choice. Pick a few likely candidates, explain how much it means to you that you get something they will be happy with, and then ask their opinions on the options. You may find that the conversation leads to a whole different range of options than you'd considered. In general, this might be a decision better made by them than you. You may have greater knowledge about the equipment than them, but this doesn't necessarily mean that you know better than they do what would suit them. After all, I don't ask my mechanic to choose my car for me. Good luck - it's a tricky one for sure!

CharlieF
90 posts
9 Mar 2015 3:46PM
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+1 for Area 10. Not very experienced at SUP but am looking for a new board for me and my wife, for surf admittedly. She is just under 70kg. She is insistent on demo before we buy because the current board she is using is a 10'2" x32" NSP weighs around 13kg and has a crap handle. She was not happy yesterday after lugging it up the beach with a stiff breeze blowing. She struggles to carry it any distance. First thing Anne does when she looks at a board is picks it up to check out the weight and the handle. So my suggestion is take the women with you and get them to check the weight and grip on the board because they're gonna have to carry the beast.

Seajuice
NSW, 907 posts
9 Mar 2015 9:55PM
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JP Widebody. Or any of the other similar shaped wide boards at usually 32" Wide. Very light & easy to carry anywhere. Low rocker profile for better glide. But! The glide & speed gets better as you get stronger in paddling. I noticed this when I first got onto a paddleboard & was concerned that with every paddlestroke the board would swing left then right & not straight as I wanted it to do. But now it just doesn't happen.
So in conclusion I would get the lightest board possible if they have to carry a distance and wide enough for good stability. With low rocker for paddlespeed.
My wife has a 10ft Blackhawk which in my opinion is too heavy to carry. And catches wind too easy & therefore makes it harder for her to paddle against the wind. Or sideways!
Where as I think she would do far better with a shorter board like my 8ft2" Widebody which I found the wind as no problem for me. She hasn't had a go of it yet but I am sure with her balance no problem. But she is a weak paddler. So wind is a major problem but she is getting stronger. She weighs around 60kgs.
Obviously if the balance is good then yeah go less width.
Big boards are for the yoga freaks. Lol!!

Tardy
4919 posts
9 Mar 2015 7:50PM
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Sounds like a problem I had last Christmas.my daughter is 11 yrs old .wife also 55 kg.i got them the 11.4 GT Nalu .its fast, great for flat water and surf ,weighs 11.4 kgs .I thought if they didn't like it I would end up with it,one of Robbie's favourite board.It s our favourite now . Single or 3 fins ,also takes a sail if you want to windsurf .

BrisKites
QLD, 1286 posts
9 Mar 2015 11:12PM
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I would say go with a board with some length. 10'6" - 11' will be fine.
Allrounders have less rocker and straighter outlines so will naturally track straighter even if they are only a few inches longer than your current board.
I would say avoid anything over 31" wide as it's just more drag for stability they won't need. Also if they are short it forces them to paddle out wide which will turn the board prematurely. Both the Fanatic and the Naish in 10'6" would be good choices.

Millpond
QLD, 14 posts
10 Mar 2015 8:46AM
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Thanks for all your advice - much appreciated! Will get them demo some for sure.



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"Looking for a board for my wife and daughter" started by Millpond