Hi Tooko,

I haven't ridden the Mana but can tell you that the 9'6" Allwave is too big for you. The 9'6" is 174 litres volume and 32inches wide.

If you have some experience you could get away with the 8'10" Allwave at 31" wide and 146 litres. Otherwise the 9'2" Allwave at 160 litres and 31.5" wide will be perfect for easy paddling and small waves.

DM

I have surfed the Mana - I don't think anyone has ridden the 9.5 Starboard that isn't a team rider yet, but I intend to in the near future and I have not ridden the Fanatic but know people who have, and based on what I know and have seen all three boards are too big for you (volume wise).
It sounds like you are perhaps looking at these boards due to their width because you are a novice sup surfer, but even if you are you do not need anywhere near this much volume at 80kgs.
In the starboard range anything from a 9 x 30 Converse to a 9.8 x 30 Element will suit you perfectly and are fantastic boards.
I don't know much about Fanatics but I think there are boards from 9.2 to 10ft that will also be suitable for you.
In the Naish range I don't think there are as many comfortable options as that offered by Starboard and Fanatic unless you do look at a mana, but in my opinion the starby and fanatic are much more fun boards and better performing than the mana's.

I'm 90kg and relatively inexperienced SUPer and I have an 8'10'' Fanatic Allwave, I find it has very good stability for my my weight. I think the width makes it easier to stay balanced.

However, If you want something that paddles better in flat water and still competent in small waves then the SB lement 9' 6" is a great board.

That's a no brainer- Mana 9'5.

I have lived and surfed Hawaii for 20 years, 3 years SUP experience, mostly small surf now, but did some downwind with my son on narrow tandem boards not made for SUP. I weigh 200 pounds and swam better in college than I surf but I love to surf like it is nobody's business. I own among a dozen long boards and like my 10'5" Waverider, cheap SUP, light composite built like a foam body board which I do down wind and can shred in up to 3' here on Maui. With the soft construction I never hurt my boys on it and it has blown off my SUV and hit the teen.
I am currently looking for wave specific SUP, under 9'6" so I can lock it in my SUV to have with me all the time and not get ripped off. Today I picked up a Naish, Hokua 9'6" demo and caught the North shore bumping 3' after picking up the boys at school. Wind was low and the swell was from one direction but I fell in many times trying to take off though I paddled out the the break no trouble. As well I tried the Mana 9' yesterday and caught plenty 1-2'ers for a couple hours or so. Both paddle OK thru chop. They take late drops best. At 200 pounds they are both slow at 135L/140L and the 29"ish width was a challange in side chop. It was fun catching waves but I usually don't fall unless I am too far inside on a big break and just get hammered. It may be I just need to dial in the board I buy but I am still not convinced to buy. I started demoing with Naish because they offered to deduct up to $100 in demos toward a purchase of last years used demo, w/ prices of $500-700. New is twice that. I did previously demo two 9'6" Kazuma production boards with a quad fin set up. 1st tried the 30" wide and did better on the 31" but both decks were awash like my friend's 9'1"X33" custom Kazuma. I just can't catch waves trudging so slow sinking a very stable board. I may need to try the 9'6" Nalu in the morning to determine if I need more volume. The 2012 Hokua 9'6" is 150+L with a sqwash tail but Starboard has the Element 9'8', Hero 9', and wide point 8'11" 153L boards that I will have to try too. Naish Mana 9'5" is 190L but caries alot of mass for an 80KG rider.
Should mention, I am of the opinion that a 2+1 fin set up with a standard center fin box could help stabilize a start up rider. I bet either Naish could use a big fin until I get dialed in. I started SUP on an old "SoftTop" 12' tandem, with long board rocker, only 26" wide. I put a big Windsurf fin on it to help stabilize it and we rode fine, even caught 3' swell on down wind regularly over 4 miles.
I am looking forward to more writers coments on their experience with different brands. I will close saying that Naish has the absolute best hand-hold. I was able to pull them out of the surf from horizontal with one hand because of the curl inside. Much safer in shore break than kicking the board up on its side with a heel.
Good luck with your choice. Let us know what you rent and buy!

Hi Swoosh,

The Fanatic Allwave is a great little board for surfing, no doubt, and it won't be too big for you depending upon the surf you're trying to ride.

A lot of what you are asking for would depend upon the weight of the family and friends you are talking about. If they are heavier than you and have no experience, the 8'10 will be a handful in anything other than smooth flat water. Also kinda depends on the kind of waves you are looking at riding; full or hollow and how big.

If you want to do a bit of flat water paddling for your fam and friends as well as some small waves, perhaps a Fanatic Fly HRS 10' or 10' 6" may be better suited. The Fly will do flat water much better than the Allwave and will still surf well in smaller waves.

Just a thought!

DM

I have surfed a long board for a lot of years and have paddled a 14' glide for past 18 months, decided to purchase something for surf,went with a 9'6" allwave figgerd wife could use it in flat water as well. I'm rapped with it so stabble and handles great. I'm 85kg.

Leroy - thanks for the review. I was debating between the Allwave, Mana and the PSH Hull Paddy. Glad to hear it is significantly lighter than the PSH.

Sounds like the Allwave is a board that is beginer freindly and also suitable for the more advanced crowd.

Would love to hear more feedback about the Allwave!

I agree with Dexy, i am 100kg's and have owned a 10 MANA for over 12 months
I have demoed the 9'2"Allwave and it is very stable and surfs well, but it's not a big step from the 10 MANA IMO you would be looking for another board in a few months.

Hey Tooko
If your after a board that will be mainly used for riding small waves... I'd be leaning towards the AllWave, simply because you can ride it in a few sizes smaller than most other boards due to its volume. At 80kg you wouldn't want to go any biggest than the 9'2" with 160L, it has heaps of volume. If you can stand on the 8'10" that would would be the go. Your only dropping 14L from the 9'2" to the 8'10", so not a huge difference.

The Mana is also a sick board, however the all-wave with the double concave and V shaped hull is a little bit more suited to specific wave riding. The Mana would be a much better crossover board.

Marcel