Hi all, I have been trying to decide on a first sup and could use some help.

First some background would probably be useful.
This board will probably be mainly for flat water exploring/cruising and the occasional swell, not really expecting to be surfing but maybe one day. I know this won't be my last sup but will likely become the family fun board when I get some skill, work out what I really want and move on to my next board. I am a bit over 6'2" and 80kg. My wife and daughters are all about 5'7 - 5'9 and weigh about 50 kg. So I am expecting them to take on my board later, even though the are 30kg (66pounds) lighter than me. Hmm, maybe that won't work.

I have hired various boards to try out, paddled Currumbin Creek several times and played in the small waves rolling through inside the mouth but didn't dare venture out into the actual surf. One daughter came along twice. We had loads of fun and are both hooked but the minister for finance remains skeptical for now.

I have looked at a lot of boards but have mostly settled on a bic ace-tec
I was tempted to get a cheaper bic acs but they are much heavier and my girls are smallish
I like the ruggedness of the bic boards - they seem bombproof as a spare or loaner
I've read some good reviews of their handling too but that's not really that high on my priority list for this first board. I was easily able to paddle an acs 11'4" and did so for an hour but all the other boards I've tried have been fun too and I can't really tell tham apart yet, except for speed.

So now, finally to the question (if anybody is still awake after reading so much), what size? The ace-tec 10'6" or 11'6" ? Looking at these pages, I'm not sure.
www.bicsup.com/products/choose-your-board,58.html
http://www.bicsup.com/products/ace-tec-sup,3,101/10-6-ace-tec-sup,987.html

I'm concerned the 10'6 might be small for me while learning because one page says 'up to 80 kg'
I'm concerned the 11'6" might be too big for the girls later

Does anybody out there have (or know about) either of these boards?
I'll see if I can find a 10'6" to try out but would also much appreciate some help deciding.

Thanks, Peter
In Brisbane, near Indooroopilly and Fig Tree Pocket

Hi Dave, thanks for that, you've confirmed my thought that the ACS would be too heavy for the girls. They are old enough to go on their own and tandem isn't really an issue, so the Ace-tec it is, probably 10'6" and we'll find one to demo.