Is there a board suitable for paddling distance (exceptional glide) in the ocean in chop... yet possible to ride the odd wave.
I was thinking about a downwind or touring board (eg Sic Bullet) but have alao been looking at the Smik longboard style SUPs and wondering how they might compare.
I have never tried one of the long thin downwind or race boards. Not interested in racing but do find myself a k or so off shore from time to time... a long paddle on my current board (Smik Spitfire).. so was wondering about something more suited.
I also do interval training on my sup several times a week, often 2 or 3ks, so a longer thinner board would be better.
Interested in others experiences/oppinions.
I'd look into the Sunova Search or Sunova Search Pointbreak -
12' or bigger for glide and a surf-ish shape for versatility I reckon.
Surfing waves is always my priority over flat water paddling, so I guess that's why i'd favor these over a touring board...
Hi mate, if it's more distant paddling you want in the ocean the Starboard Generation would be the pick, the 14 foot will be best for riding chop or paddling down wind. The 12 footer will be fine for riding small waves too.
As Hoppo mentioned the Sunova search is an option, SUPBoardermag on their website has plenty of videos showing what the Generation is capable off.
Cheers.
Steve.
12.6 x 26 Starboard Generation
Great glide and super stable, even for the larger gentleman like me. I had a chance to try one in 15 knots onshore wind. Paddled into wind and cross shore easily.
Thanks all - some great options there. Yep certainly like the versatility of the more surf styled boards like the SB Generation and Sunova Search over the more downwind/race specific boards.
12' would prob do - will this pickup ocean swell or do you need a 14 footer for that? -Actually just happy to be able to ride early waves that come into a bay (like Mooloolaba - I was watching a group doing that - looked fun - but now I think of it they were all on race boards so prob 14' and very narrow)
What width?? I found my old JP pro 8'10x30 too tippy and now ride a Smik Spitfire 8'8x31.75 - much better (I'm 80kgs - 6' and 51). I heard on one review that 12x28 is good if you rode a 10'x32'.. so maybe I could handle a little thinner... but really I'm after comfort when out wide in chop and a ton more glide than the spitfire.
Out of interest what would one of these be like compared to a Style Lord or Hipster Long - they have straighter outlines due to fuller nose so suspect paddle fast.... 10' would also fit in my van ;-)
Sounds like a 12 x 28 will suit you well. You could look at something like the generation in 14 x 28 size too. This will be more compromised in small waves, but will ride swell better. The sunova is also a wonderful option.
Select to expand quotethuffam said..
Is there a board suitable for paddling distance (exceptional glide) in the ocean in chop... yet possible to ride the odd wave.
I was thinking about a downwind or touring board (eg Sic Bullet) but have alao been looking at the Smik longboard style SUPs and wondering how they might compare.
I have never tried one of the long thin downwind or race boards. Not interested in racing but do find myself a k or so off shore from time to time... a long paddle on my current board (Smik Spitfire).. so was wondering about something more suited.
I also do interval training on my sup several times a week, often 2 or 3ks, so a longer thinner board would be better.
Interested in others experiences/oppinions.
Reading your first sentence the 12'6 x 28 Starboard Generation covers all your requirements. I have one in my quiver and it definitely covers all of that . I don't see the point of the Generation in the 14' if I'm honest . Plenty of great used 14 race boards around .
I'm a similar height and weight to you . 12'6 x 28 will work fine for you.
I've got a 12"6' x 29 Surftech Mickey Munoz ( similar shape to SB Generation )I've had this board for over 10 years, I still enjoy this board everytime I drag it out, it catches anything upto about head high, no dramas on flat water or chop, it has plenty of glide, I've even fished off it a couple of times. A good addition to any quiver. I'm 6"2 and about 100 kegs.
After weighing up the options, decided anything over 10ft is impractical for my uses - largely due to the cost of installing roof racks on my van but also because its a 500m walk to the beach which I do regularly with my SUPs - and I put more value on surfability over touring and downwinding is probably not something I'd end up doing much.
So went for the Smik Style Lord 10' x 29" @130L. Looking forward to testing it when it arrives. Not that sure about the stability but the 29" width should provide the glide that I'm after while providing an excellent ride while also making it easier to catch waves.
Will report back.
Select to expand quotethuffam said..
After weighing up the options, decided anything over 10ft is impractical for my uses - largely due to the cost of installing roof racks on my van but also because its a 500m walk to the beach which I do regularly with my SUPs - and I put more value on surfability over touring and downwinding is probably not something I'd end up doing much.
So went for the Smik Style Lord 10' x 29" @130L. Looking forward to testing it when it arrives. Not that sure about the stability but the 29" width should provide the glide that I'm after while providing an excellent ride while also making it easier to catch waves.
Will report back.
I have a 10'x28" style lord and it's an awesome board, have ridden its side by side with the 29" wide and stability won't be a problem, the 28" wide is a bit more lively but the 29" is a bit more comfortable but still surfs great.
Select to expand quoteHoppo3228 said..
I'd look into the Sunova Search or Sunova Search Pointbreak -
12' or bigger for glide and a surf-ish shape for versatility I reckon.
Surfing waves is always my priority over flat water paddling, so I guess that's why i'd favor these over a touring board...
100%
FYI, I had a similar thought and have just ordered a custom 11' version of the Sunova Point Break and titled it 'Bodhi' on another post... I wanted a do it all surf type of sup that wasn't a longboard. Something for paddle training on and small waves, but also can handle well OH stuff too.
I also say a 12 foot gun type board. PSH gun if you could find one. Or even the Atlantis Venom. I know there's one on marketplace at the moment.
So the Style Lord wasn't my cuppa tea. Great board to surf (i can imagine ideal for competitive SUP longboarders) but with negligible glide (I think because of its crazy rocker), i found my Spitfire had better glide and caught waves easier... so...
Swapped the SL for a 10'2 SB Wedge.... wow.. what a board. Best glide I have experienced on a SUP it catches the smallest bumps with ease and super stable. My friend who has not supped before caught his first wave in seconds in the ****tiest of conditions (onshore 10knot chop).
Perfect for what I want (glide, stability for ****ty conditions).
To be clear, the SL surfs waaay better (in another league altogether) and weights probably 1/2 the weight. The Wedge is a weight lifting exercise (starlight construction... should be starweight instead) but i think this weight lends to its glide and ability to handle going out in windy conditions.. And i get a workout in the process :-) it also punches through the lineup like nothing ive experienced which was a surprise.. again prob due to weight.. like paddling an aircraft carrier really.
Definitely would have preferred something 1/2 or 1/4 the weight.. but thats compromises.
It has got me thinking..as I love the Smik boards, if a custom 10' Spitfire would be possible as a better alternative. (Obviously my budget is well blown for now.... maybe next year).
On another note.. picked up a cheap 8' Hypernut on gumtree... what a fun little board. Initial 4.5" fins were useless but with some 5.5" fins.. amazing. Super stable, tracks amazingly and catches everything.. not quite as well as the wedge but just as stable with glide similar to the Spitfire (8'8) but tracks way better and surfs waaay better than the wedge (less weight and length). Its a really interesting comparrison.. And this is starlight construction that is actually very light. Definitely a board worth looking into!
I just got the 10' x 32 Smik hipster longboard, it's super stable , light , and fun to surf and distance paddle , best board I've had !
I've just picked up a used custom Smik Hipster twin Longboard, 9'2 x 27" x ~95litres.I was thinking 27" wide would be tippy but surprisingly I'm finding the specs perfect for me (72kg, 5'11, 63yo). My only other board is a 2014 Starby Pro 8x28x96L and I find the Smik a lot more stable. I've have two sessions first in howling offshore, low tide and small surf, 2nd sesh moderate offshore and tiny tiny surf but I could still catch and ride the waves on offer. The glide is insanely good and I'm learning to put more effort in to get it to turn. Overall stoked!!!I am a kitefoil addict, I actually rarely sup surf but this board is changing that thinking.
(Excuse the bin supports)
Hi Slack, yes longer boards take more effort up the back to turn.....I love the glide of a longer board but would still like to turn it from the middle like my surf skate.....always a compromise......you probably have tried this but have you tried the middle fin all the way forward? That will make it a bit easier to turn as will the smallest middle fin or no middle fin or even just one middle fin. I have tried them arw pros and cons with each fin set up.
I had a brilliant surf on my 9,6 New Deal...it's superb at holding a line on steeper stuff but also great on 2ft peelers. Best board I've had and I've had a few. It would be a total weapon if surfed by someone with good skills.
Select to expand quoteSupster7 said..
Hi Slack, yes longer boards take more effort up the back to turn.....I love the glide of a longer board but would still like to turn it from the middle like my surf skate.....always a compromise......you probably have tried this but have you tried the middle fin all the way forward? That will make it a bit easier to turn as will the smallest middle fin or no middle fin or even just one middle fin. I have tried them arw pros and cons with each fin set up.
Thanks Supster7. Too early and no surf to play with the fin setup. ATM has the large sides and small centre fin which is in the middle of the box so I guess first change might be to bring that forward but really I need to learn to get some weight towards the tail of the board.
