that's way more volume than you will need to stand waiting for waves, but if you're coming from a bigger longboard you may feel wobbly first few sessions.

Like BigZ said, volume will be OK for a beginner, but not the shape!The pulled in tips will make the board quite unstable, and the curved outline will demand some paddling technique to not go in circle, what is called the row effect.

You need enough volume to float OK: basically a volume your weight in kg + 50% to 100% (e.g: 130 to 170 liters), but the stability for a beginner will be given by the widths, especially at the nose and tail. And the taller you are the wider it must be.

colas said..
Like BigZ said, volume will be OK for a beginner, but not the shape!The pulled in tips will make the board quite unstable, and the curved outline will demand some paddling technique to not go in circle, what is called the row effect.

You need enough volume to float OK: basically a volume your weight in kg + 50% to 100% (e.g: 130 to 170 liters), but the stability for a beginner will be given by the widths, especially at the nose and tail. And the taller you are the wider it must be.

Thanks @colas for your opinion...did you try this personally or are you just commenting on the size? So far I've been using an inflatable board 10.6x32 and felt I wanted to try something new...I've been using the inflatable quite regularly in the last 6 years...

DaniNewbie said..

BigZ said..
If you are a beginner this is the wrong board to start on.

If you are an intermediate this would be a great board but not in this size - way too big. The right size for an intermediate 85kg surfer would be the 8'0.

Thanks for your input...can I ask if you tried this board and talking for direct experience with it?

I have a 2020 Starboard Pro. Granted, the 2021 shape was updated but the 2021 line continues to target the same rider profile and conditions:

- It is a high performance SUP that works in small conditions but shines in more powerful and bigger waves. If you are a beginner you want a board that shines in smaller conditions.
- Stability is not a primary concerns. Starboard Pros are stable for a high performance shape but there are much more stable boards in similar volumes
- You need a relatively solid technique to fully utilize the board's potential. For example you need to be able to position the board properly and paddle efficiently at a take-off. And you need to be comfortable to move back to turn well.

Basically, the moment you are at that level the 9'0 will feel enormous at 85 kg and you will want smaller. If you are still trying to get to that level there are much better (and cheaper) boards that will help you progress faster. One way or the other you will outgrow the 9'0 very fast. The 9'0 would be a great board for an intermediate rider in 110-120kg range.

I am 6'4 105kg. My Starboard Pro is 8'10x29x130l. If I were to upgrade to 2021 I would have a hard time deciding between 8'0 or 8'7.

NSP DC surf wide or Quattro Glide look like ideal

I was in your same situation not too long back and posted on here about selecting first SUP after I had been on inflatables or borrowing a friends 10'6" single fin longboard.

I went with a 9'3" x 31" 143L with a non-longboard shape. That was ideal for starting and felt wobbly even though it had roughly similar volume as longboard I was on. I'm on a smaller board now, but I'm glad I started on that one.

DaniNewbie said..
Hi all,

this is my first post on this forum after a long time long time on any Internet forum...

Anyway like many of you I have a love for SUP & Surf and I'm about to get my hands on a SB PRO 2021 edition 9x30. (I weight around 85kg and I'm 1,80m more or less...but I'm not an expert...I'm more at the beginning of the intermediate level.

Is there anyone out there who tried it and can confirm if the 157 liters are good enough to stand on it while waiting for the next wave without paddling too much to keep it afloat? Unfortunately I couldn't try this board before ordering it but I was told Starboard usually keep their promises and one should try what they advertise?

Thanks!

Hey Dani,

I've tried the range - the 9'0 was really good for sure but maybe you'd like to look at a smaller size?

You're the same weight as me so you'll be able to ride anything in the range really depending on skill level.

Otherwise the 9'0 is really good fun for sure! Surprisingly good for a board that size.

I think you'll want to go for the 8'0 or 8'7 ideally - maybe see if a mate has a board around 120L and you'll be able to see how you feel on a board that size and make a call from there.

But for sure the Pro for 2021 is really good - super stoked on it.

Good luck!

Can you get an inexpensive used board in 130-140l range? Any board will be a transitional board if you are a beginner/early intermediate. There is no point in spending money on a new board if you are going to replace it in a few months. At your weight you will eventually end up at 100-110l board. Everything else will be temporary -assuming you are serious about SUP surfing. Otherwise there is no point in getting a dedicated SUP surf board. You can surf small waves on pretty much any SUP including inflatables.

DaniNewbie said..
Hi all,

this is my first post on this forum after a long time long time on any Internet forum...

Anyway like many of you I have a love for SUP & Surf and I'm about to get my hands on a SB PRO 2021 edition 9x30. (I weight around 85kg and I'm 1,80m more or less...but I'm not an expert...I'm more at the beginning of the intermediate level.

Is there anyone out there who tried it and can confirm if the 157 liters are good enough to stand on it while waiting for the next wave without paddling too much to keep it afloat? Unfortunately I couldn't try this board before ordering it but I was told Starboard usually keep their promises and one should try what they advertise?

Thanks!

Dani. There is a lot of background information that might help this group help you with a decision on a new board. What board are you on now? How often can you get out in the surf? What is your regular break like? What is your goal for style? How far do you have to carry the board? I like many on this form went through several "wrong" boards before landing on the right one that matched my conditions and abilities and progressed my surfing. If you are in the south of Spain your access to a variety of boards to chose from should be fairly good but perhaps travel restrictions are still in force?Cheers

Bob

FRP said..

DaniNewbie said..
Hi all,

this is my first post on this forum after a long time long time on any Internet forum...

Anyway like many of you I have a love for SUP & Surf and I'm about to get my hands on a SB PRO 2021 edition 9x30. (I weight around 85kg and I'm 1,80m more or less...but I'm not an expert...I'm more at the beginning of the intermediate level.

Is there anyone out there who tried it and can confirm if the 157 liters are good enough to stand on it while waiting for the next wave without paddling too much to keep it afloat? Unfortunately I couldn't try this board before ordering it but I was told Starboard usually keep their promises and one should try what they advertise?

Thanks!

Dani. There is a lot of background information that might help this group help you with a decision on a new board. What board are you on now? How often can you get out in the surf? What is your regular break like? What is your goal for style? How far do you have to carry the board? I like many on this form went through several "wrong" boards before landing on the right one that matched my conditions and abilities and progressed my surfing. If you are in the south of Spain your access to a variety of boards to chose from should be fairly good but perhaps travel restrictions are still in force?Cheers

Bob

Hi Bob,

at the moment I have an inflatable (red paddle 10.6) and I'm riding it since 2015...(I've been replacing old models with new models every two years).

How often I can get out in the surf? I live in a seaside town so in theory I could go anytime there is something to surf or just go out and practice in flat water.

What is my regular break like? Sorry but I don't understand that question :-)

My goal is to learn catching waves from 1 to 2m ride then and being able to control the board to perform basic turns on the wave etc.

How far do I have to carry the board? Between 20mins and 3 hr by car...depend on where I'd like to go...but mostly close when there are good conditions.

They are easing restrictions here but the main problem is that all the good board manufacturers are sending from abroad and local shops have only few boards in their stocks ...you might have to wait months to get your hand on a good new board. Other manufacturers selling directly to end users like RWP or Gong are claiming to send you a new board within 7 to 10 days but more than one person said RWP are not that good (hence why they are cheap) and Gong boards have a price level which is close to SB (which I can get with a good discount from a local seller which would be also the person to go for a repair, warranty etc. ).

Thanks for any input you can give!

DaniNewbie said..

TrevT said..

DaniNewbie said..
Hi all,

this is my first post on this forum after a long time long time on any Internet forum...

Anyway like many of you I have a love for SUP & Surf and I'm about to get my hands on a SB PRO 2021 edition 9x30. (I weight around 85kg and I'm 1,80m more or less...but I'm not an expert...I'm more at the beginning of the intermediate level.

Is there anyone out there who tried it and can confirm if the 157 liters are good enough to stand on it while waiting for the next wave without paddling too much to keep it afloat? Unfortunately I couldn't try this board before ordering it but I was told Starboard usually keep their promises and one should try what they advertise?

Thanks!

Hey Dani,

I've tried the range - the 9'0 was really good for sure but maybe you'd like to look at a smaller size?

You're the same weight as me so you'll be able to ride anything in the range really depending on skill level.

Otherwise the 9'0 is really good fun for sure! Surprisingly good for a board that size.

I think you'll want to go for the 8'0 or 8'7 ideally - maybe see if a mate has a board around 120L and you'll be able to see how you feel on a board that size and make a call from there.

But for sure the Pro for 2021 is really good - super stoked on it.

Good luck!

Thanks TrevT for your post...unfortunately the 9x30 SB Pro is the only model currently available from the local reseller in my area...and not many other options!

Glad to read you had a good exp with the 9x30.
Have you tried the Quatro Glide 8'10" by any chance? Or the 8'2"? That reseller has both Glide in stock ..the small one is a 120l and 32'' but he said it too low volume for me. The bigger model is 160l and 34'' wide...certainly more stable.

Unfortunately they don't have boards for trying them before buying...wish there were more option around where I live (south of Spain).

Hi Dani,

I haven't tried an 8'10 Quatro before sorry but hear they're also really good. I think you'd be pretty stoked on the 9'0 Stb - the Starboards are tested in a bunch of conditions. The guys test in Portugal, Bali and Phuket so it should be good in Spanish conditions as well :)

Good luck with the board choice! I'm sure you'll be stoked!

Hey guys back on this topic after trying the SB Pro 9'x30'' a couple of times...

As I was expecting the difference between the iSup I have (a 10'6''x32'') and this one is huge.
Being able to stand on the SB without falling in the water was challenging during the first 10 minutes - then when I found my equilibrium and started paddling things got easier.

The board is quite fast while paddling in the water (with flat water or moving between small waves), so very good glide as advertised.
The feeling riding this board is quite good!

Today I also managed to get few waves with it and I was surprised how the board reacted while on the wave...it was quite fast and reactive and turning nicely (although I should point out that I need to learn how to turn properly when riding a wave!).

So overall I'm quite happy with the choice I made and yes I'm pretty stoked @TrevT! :-)

Thanks all for your suggestions so far...I'm sure there are probably easier boards to start with for someone of my level but as I already said I didn't have much choice on this matter but it turned out well for me :-)

I hope this topic will be useful for others looking for info about the SB Pro 201 9'x30''!

Bye for now.