Hi, recently broke my Naish Mana 10 ft (can't blame the board) and will be replacing it in the next few weeks. I am thinking of going shorter.
Background: I am 50 years old and wanted to get into SUP as I have extensive experience in canoeing and telemark skiing and moderate experience in surfing. Found that SUP was a superb feeling of combining all three: the J Stroke of canoeing meant I could immediately paddle in a straight line and this combined with the balance of skiing and being used to catching waves on a longboard meant instant fun. Also really enjoyed watching the wildlife while standing up - you get a much better view of whales and marine life in general compared to sitting on a 'normal' surfboard. Have now done about 15 days.
My first board was a Reality Ripper 9.5 and didn't like it. Replaced it with a Nash Mana 10ft and loved it for the style of SUP I like: basically mellow waves up to waist high. Found it to be stable in chop yet still felt loose on the wave for its size. I am not interested in big surf etc - still take some risks in whitewater kayaking and skiing but like to really 'relax' in the surf and tend to go out only when I am not going to have to paddle over big sets and hang on to my hat!
Finally, to my question. Should I replace the 10 foot Mana with the 9.5? Is the 9.5 still nice and stable when I am cruising around out the back in some chop while waiting for the next wave? Does it turn noticeably better on a wave yet still catch waves easily and run down the line? Obviously, being shorter and narrower there will be some differences but how big are the differences? Or should I look at one of the other Naish boards in the Hakua line? Any other recommendations?
I am 75kg and 5' 8" (can never remember what that is in cm!)
Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Hi Cobungra I am a 94kg newbie SUP surfer and have demo'd both the 10' and the 9'5 manas and found the 9'5 the best so as Daneli said you will find the step down to the 9'5 easy or even the 9'0 should be ok for your weight.

9'5 would def do the job. I'm 100kg and it floats me just fine. Really is super stable and you should be able to surf it just as good as the 10'. I found the stability the same as the 10' but really didnt notice too much in surfing it. It should be what you are after if you are sold on the Naish.

And another question.........opinions on the differences between the AST and wood sandwich construction? Thanks!

bigmc said...

Hi I have the Naish 9'5" Mana AST. Peviously had an older 10' Mana. I am relatively new to SUP and find the 9'5" feels lighter and more agile. There just seems to be less board and bulk in front of you when turning. Stability I think is almost the same. I would get the 9'5" or demo a PSH 9'6" Wide Ripper.
cheers

Hey Bigmc,

Have you paddled the 9'6 Wide Ripper? I'd love to know how it compares with the 9'5 Mana as far as stablity, glide, surfing etc.

Thanks

Hi Daneli
I am an old gumby so probably not good to go by my experience. Only had about 3 paddles on a demo. In the bay will a little wind ripple on the water and a small swell it was fine. Seemed to glide better than I thought it would. In the surf zone with water that was a little bit eneven I tended to fall more than I liked. Only caught a couple of small shapeless waves so can't really judge. Felt loose and not too big a board under foot. I probably could have mastered it in time and will get one a bit later. I think it would be a better board when swell is up compared to the 9'5". So for now in that situation I grab the surfboard. Cirumstances and impatience sees me on the 9'5" which I like for my ability at the moment. cheers

hi there,
dont want to spoil this threas but maybe you can help me with this?
like so many others i am new to the sport. i had a great time with the fanatic fly 10´0 in nice 3-5 feet waves. i thought the boardsize was sufficiant (volume around 160 l). i can get a very good deal on the nsp 10´6 (seems to be quite similar to the fly 10?) and quite good deal on the mana. the mana would be around 30% more expensive.
i would like to spend time in waves with it but will use it for flat water as a training device as well. i am 80 kg by 5´11. do you think the mana would make me much more happy so that i should spend the extra money?