Hi Wokatoo I think I can offer some advice.

I originally purchased a 9'6" Surfing Hawk from Blackhawk. About $800 for the whole package. I was like you and didn't want to set fire to a stack of cash for an entry level package. Since then others I know have bought the 11'6" and 9'6" Bondi Hawk and the 8'0" Arthur Z kids SUP. All in all these boards appear to be fairly robust. I've given mine he'll and it seems to withstand most of the punishment. It did spit a side fin however a lot of people were using it to learn on and I think this was user error rather than a product defect. The real down side IMO is the weight. These boards are heavy. Mine was 12kg and the 11'6" is nearly 20kg. Also after sales support is unknown as I never had an issue.

I had another mate purchase the Billy Bud package and this board looks the biz and isn't a bad option either, for entry level.

The other thing is progression. If you progress fast, then you will want to upgrade sooner than later and that means another purchase. Add the together and you are spending the same money when compared to buying a well known brand in the first place.

I would say that the best thing to do is spend as much as you can afford on a well known brand. I have seen some bargains on the Breeze. You can also pick up a new carbon adjustable paddle off eBay for about $150.

I started off with the cheap Chinese board but after a few months I upgraded to a Hobie and just yesterday I bought a Starboard Pocket Rocket in brushed carbon. Note that I paid $1,050 for the Hobie and $1,100 for the Starby. Add all these together with paddles and other gear and you have already spent stacks.

You may think that you can stop at one however SUP is infectious, just ask the other Breezers.

Good luck.

Buy used and get a good paddle.

I think going cheap is a mistake. Better to wait(although that sucks) but will be worth it in the long run.

my 2cents!

supgman said...
Hi Wokatoo I think I can offer some advice.

I originally purchased a 9'6" Surfing Hawk from Blackhawk. About $800 for the whole package. I was like you and didn't want to set fire to a stack of cash for an entry level package. Since then others I know have bought the 11'6" and 9'6" Bondi Hawk and the 8'0" Arthur Z kids SUP. All in all these boards appear to be fairly robust. I've given mine he'll and it seems to withstand most of the punishment. It did spit a side fin however a lot of people were using it to learn on and I think this was user error rather than a product defect. The real down side IMO is the weight. These boards are heavy. Mine was 12kg and the 11'6" is nearly 20kg. Also after sales support is unknown as I never had an issue.

I had another mate purchase the Billy Bud package and this board looks the biz and isn't a bad option either, for entry level.

The other thing is progression. If you progress fast, then you will want to upgrade sooner than later and that means another purchase. Add the together and you are spending the same money when compared to buying a well known brand in the first place.

I would say that the best thing to do is spend as much as you can afford on a well known brand. I have seen some bargains on the Breeze. You can also pick up a new carbon adjustable paddle off eBay for about $150.

I started off with the cheap Chinese board but after a few months I upgraded to a Hobie and just yesterday I bought a Starboard Pocket Rocket in brushed carbon. Note that I paid $1,050 for the Hobie and $1,100 for the Starby. Add all these together with paddles and other gear and you have already spent stacks.

You may think that you can stop at one however SUP is infectious, just ask the other Breezers.

Good luck.

Thx for your reply. When you say 'progress' what do you mean? A shorter board or just better make? I will be sticking to flat and small waves so can't see much progression?

Thx for

MickMc said...
Buy a brand name used board, look after it and when you want to move up on to a more performance oriented board (which you will) you can sell it and get your money back.

Ah I'm with you now. Thanks Mick. So brand names being Nsp, naish, coreban I suppose. I found drift boards in buy/sell but guess drift isn't a known brand?

ShireSUP said...
Seriously, and being from Sydney i have no connections, but you could do worse than get in your car and go and see Ange and Jacko at Roar, they will look after you, support the industry and are genuinely nice people!

Thx Shire. Called them and they only have CCS brand in stock at $629. Great price but I really worry about quality for that low cost. They don't get any more Roar Boards till march. Shame, they looked perfect.

Jacko,
Thanks so much. I like the look of the CCS boards and your commitment to getting me the right board. I'll come and see you Saturday!
Warrick

Wokatoo said..

MickMc said...
Buy a brand name used board, look after it and when you want to move up on to a more performance oriented board (which you will) you can sell it and get your money back.

Ah I'm with you now. Thanks Mick. So brand names being Nsp, naish, coreban I suppose. I found drift boards in buy/sell but guess drift isn't a known brand?

Yep, sorry should have said "well known and respected brand" to make it clearer. In no particular order, and apologies if I leave any out: Fanatic, Starboard, Naish, Jimmy Lewis, JP, Hobie, Coreban, C4, PSH. Check out the buy and sell section of this forum for starters. All these brands do a good range of boards suitable for beginners depending on your size and weight.

My recommendation would be to go brand name in the second hand option. I did exactly what you did 5 years ago and purchased an ananconda board which simply did not(IMO) stack up.

I made the decision in the last 12 months to upgrade and in the last month after a year of saving up bought myself the JP 8'2x28 Pro after having started on a 10'6. You will want to upgrade especially when you get the board out in the surf. My advice is go for quality straight away as you wont be disappointed. Pay peanuts and I am afraid that is what you will get.

Cheers O

bobajob said...

MickMc said..

This one looks ok 2013 JP 9'8 fusion with two paddles for $950 .... he'll probably accept a near offer, most people do.

www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~azwlg/2013-JP-Australia-Fusion-9-8-79-cm.aspx?search=XY18oMsXky2aI77FVpVnyA==

Don't know the guy at all but that sort of board is what I reckon you should go for. Seems like a good deal and if you look after it you'll sell it in a year for the same price .... or you may well want to keep it and get another one for different conditions.

I got the 10'2 fusion, I'm 90 - 92kg and can say it's a great board, really stable and fun in the surf. I've been at it for about 6 months and have been in the surf for about 4.5 to 5 months of that. I bought it in winter and wanted to be in the waves by summer, killed that target. I'm not ripping it up but having fun all the same.
That board in the link above looks like a great buy, if I had the cash, I'd grab it for the smaller size in the surf.

Too late bro, I snapped it up quick. Thx for all your help. Now to give it a go in the river and down currumbin. V happy I have a decent board now thanks for all your advice.

So you got the one in the link? I noticed it's gone. How you finding it?

My husband and I just starting out so we bought a couple of cheap 10'6 boards 12 mths ago of eBay and have to say that we have definitely got our moneys worth out of them. Friends of ours have the Starboards and found ours comparable as far as stability and buoyancy goes. I did however invest in a Naish paddle instead of the one that came with the board. We haven't had the boards out in the waves so I cant say what they're like in the surf but just great cruising up and down the river. I do want to upgrade so saving for Naish board at the moment. Hubby has upgraded to a 12' Blackhawk. So all up, the cheaper ones great to start out on but eventually you want better.

Leo's surf shop across the road near the restaurant is also very good. He sold us a great BG Soft Top (2nd hand) for $400 and we love it. 10'6"x34". Very stable and lots of fun.