Hi All

My wife is looking to downsize her SUP as the one she has currently is very corky in the surf (She's 5'6" and 55kgs). She's looking for advice on how small to go and what boards would suit. Looking for something in the beginner to intermediate range.

Her current board is a Surftech 9'1" Al Merrick Caddy. Volume on this board is around 135 litres. It tends to be very corky for her and hard to manoeuvre in the surf. On the other hand she can cruise flat water with it with the dog (16kg Staffy) as well.

Ultimately she would like something that is primarily for surfing but can also be taken out on flat water for a bit of cruising (although if we go too small she'll probably use my surf SUP while I use the big beast).

Other boards we have at the moment:

My surf SUP: Naish Hokua 9'10" (I'm 6' and 90kgs)
Flat water board: Naish Nalu 11'4" - Great board for people who have never done it before and also for cruising flat water.

Looking for advice specifically around recommended volume for her and possible boards that she could try. Also looking to find out where we can demo any recommended boards. She won't buy without trying first.

Thanks Colas. Appreciate the advice.

She's currently looking at dropping to around 100 to 110 litres in volume but just concerned it might be too big a drop.

Looking at some of the JP Australia boards that could be good. The Surf Wide Body 7'4" x 31" looks good but may be too wide for her. Could also go the Surf 8'6" x 29".

Just concerned about whether they would be too advanced for her.

Also open to other brands around the 100 to 110 litres.

Wider means more stable and thus for reassuring, important for confidence.

Narrower means faster while paddling, important to get early in the waves especially if not a strong paddler. Note that boards with a lot of curve in the outline (very wide at the handle but narrow of nose & tail) will paddle very slowly and with a lot of row.

I guess she should test some to get an idea of what could be the best compromise. Note that a "wide all around" shape (e.g a mini simmons) will feel much stabler than a pointed nose & tail design of the same width.

100 to 110 should be a nice volume for her.

This is the ideal kind of board for girls less than 70kg (beginner/intermediate) or up to 90kg (good level): www.gong-galaxy.com/magazine/pics/1-hour-4-boards/
- semi pointed nose for ease of balance
- wide for stability
- parallel outline on a good length, and a fast rocker, for paddling speed and ease of takeoff
- pulled in tail and thin rails to turn without too much rear leg pressure
- and of course... pink :-)