Dicko80 said..
I live in central Queensland where the waves are not powerful and about 1-3ft so too small a board is not really an option. [...] Would love smaller board just don't have waves for it

Actually, what works well in weak waves are boards that can "extract" as much power of the wave as possible. A wide tail (Simmons, Tomo, Fish, ...) can make a board work wonders in slow waves, even in short sizes such as less than 7'. Not all boards are shaped like the one you see in the World cup.

Although, "I am looking for good glide" means you will want some length. Stability comes from width, especially in nose and tail.

But if you want a shorter board, know that weak waves is no issue. Look at my 100kg on a huge-tailed Simmons 6'10" on the video below. Of course, 6'10" is too big a step coming down from a 10'6", but a wide-tailed 8' - such as the new "tomo" shapes in many brands - could be your ideal board. The wide tails generate and conserve speed even in weak waves, and without demands on the pilot.

Dicko80 said..
longer board=easier to catch waves

Actually, it is true, because of 2 factors:
- in fast waves, longer boards, having a higher speed limit while paddling, are able to "match" the speed of the incoming wave better. But in slow waves (small period) this advantage is reduced.
- you can paddle on a longer board for a long time on takeoff to compensate for bad placement. With smaller boards, you have to better observe the wave and the placement for takeoff is more critical.

So, I am not saying that catching waves is as easy on a short board than a long board. I am saying that if you want to go shorter, the above drawbacks may be worth it for you, they are just drawbacks, not impossibilities.

PS: Note that unlike prone surfboards, SUP boards have volume. Thus is no such dramatic difference in takoff-abllity between short and long boards, but on the other hand, the row factor on short SUP must be mastered, a factor unkown to prone surfers.