Hi all.

I'm an absolute N00b looking for some advice to start paddling.
I've enjoyed a SUP taster session last summer and would love to get my own board for general splashing around in (very) small surf, mill pond flat seas and inland. With a hope to develop into a bit of surfing here and there.
I bust my ankle playing rugby after a 20year break and I think this would be an awesome supplement to boring physio, and I just enjoying messing around on the water.

There's a problem though..... I 'm a 6'4", 160kg monster, and everything I've been looking at will just sink frankly or support a family of 12.

I've been looking for an appropriate low-end board and inflatable appear to suit my budget/skill.

Two that appear appropriate are the Tower Xplorer or Aqua Marina Monster

The Tower claims to support 300+kg and the Aqua Marina 160kg, I lean towards the Tower more as previous experience of "max loads" generally tends to be optimistic.

I wonder if anyone here has experience of single paddling these larger boards? Will they handle like a bus?

Any advice on starting at this end of the board range or suggestions for more suitable boards (budget) or places to look will be gratefully received.

Thanks

Hodor!

You are a challenge Hodor... but if you have any skillz at all, I believe you should be fine on the Starboard Avanti 11'2
Its only 230 liters BUT it is 36" wide.... and I think that is enough to handle the big man!

The Avanti surfs and paddles great... it always amazed me how well it handled ALL types of surf.

Your weight will put you right at about "intermediate" float factor
230/160 = 1.44 factor ( 1.3 = advanced, 1.5 = intermediate, 1.7 = beginner)

I was 130 kg when I started on my Avanti.
It was skimming across the water.... it was floating me high and dry.

You'll fall a lot at first. Everyone does. I fell 100 times the irst day

hang in there..... it will get better!

DavidJohn said..
I would recommend a hard board over an inflatable any day and as far as the Tower Xplorer or Aqua Marina Monster I don't think they are sold here in Oz so you might not get many replys about them.

I would strongly recommend demoing before buying and at your weight board width is the most important thing with 34" being a good starting point.

And if you are as you say, a monster, your claws will shred an inflateable.

BTW - my online advice is not worth the paper its written on.

Hodor, start big and just get out there and paddle paddle paddle. You will see the weight plummet and your board sizes do the same.
Also..... get on the 5.4 diet (www.fivepointfour.com.au) and the weight will also plummet.
Next thing you know you will be shredding on a Sunova Acid :-)