Howdy,

Having had a quick read this looks like a great place for advice for newbies, so here goes ...

I'm first time SUP buyer looking for a board for myself (6'1, 100kg) that I can also have fun with either or both of the kids (5 & 7yo) on board. Mostly relatively flat water down at the local beach but also on some smaller beach breaks once I get some form.

I've been recommended the Naish Nalu 10'10 by a friend of a friend which having done some reading (and seen the video review on here) sounds good and have just now also had a recommendation over the phone from a SUP store regarding considering the Exocet Evo 10'9.

Not really knowing what I should be looking for when comparing the two options any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Cheers

Hey DJ, thanks heaps for the feedback.

I'm assuming the Nalu 10'10 would be a great beginner board for me alone?

Any suggestions on a board that I could take the kids on as well if I wanted to head down that path?

Given the use is going to be 90% Dad on his own with the kids sometimes any recommendations?

Thanks again for your advice DJ.

One last (hopefully) question for you. I had a look online at the Mana 11'0 you mentioned above and also had a look at the Nalu 11'6 on the Naish website (based on a couple of other recommendations I saw reading through this forum, probably yours). To my untrained eye they both have the same volume at about 230L with the Nalu being a little longer but skinnier. So am I right in thinking that the Nalu would take a little more to master for a newbie but could be capable of being a good board for me and occasionally with my kids on board?

Maybe the next question is at what age do I get them there own board and that might shape which board I get for myself.

Plan is to head to a couple of stores on Wednesday and all things going well have the board in the water on Saturday ... now that I've written it for all to read it must happen.

jafa1970 said..

DavidJohn said..

Yes the 10'10" Nalu is an awesome board and very different to other boards because of the wide deep channels on the bottom.

DJ

Hey DJ, can you elaborate on how the ride is different due to the channels?

Cheers
Phil

Sure.. The channels make the board track better than most boards resulting is much less yaw with each paddle stroke.. They also alow you to run with a much smaller fin if you like to paddle in shallow water.. They also seem to unstick the board from the water making it much faster than a similar type board without the channels.. The channels also add stability and help resist the rocking and rolling feeling that most boards have.. One last thing.. They also add stiffness to the board.. Naish have got another new board coming that uses the same channel concept on the bottom.. I think it's 9'8" x 34" wide.

DJ

If it helps, I have a naish 10'10" , my weight is around 106kg and paddle with our dog on board. She's a lab and weighs around 36kg. It paddles fine with her even walking up and down the board. When it's really small waves I've caught a few with her.