54 YO never surfed, have been attempting for last couple of years. Due to embarrassing board loss from roof of car, just got an 11' Nalu. Ppaddled it flat water and surprised how nicely it tracked. Only one attempt in small surf and it seems stable and predictable. I think the 11'6" is a very different board, was not recommended to me.

Gidday .Im 5'10 and 94 kg .
i have the 11'GTW Nalu .it surfs and track well .it will have plenty volume for your weight .
I have owned the 11.6 before ,it a big one ,and sold it to my 120 mate who loves it ..
The 10'10 is a bit wider so will be more stable and has channel so it is great in straight lines ...surfing ..I didn't like it
as you really have to work hard to turn it .ride it on the tail .its 200 litres compare to the 11' @175 ..so a bigger board .
The 11' has quite a lot more rocker ,so is by far the better surfer .
go the GT ,as this will give you the three fin option ...as the Gs is only a single fin .
you might also want to look at the new 10'8 Quest .

kev7 said..
just get a starboard whopper you wont look back.

there is a lot to be said for the starboard whopper........relatively low volume board for something that is wide and stable and surfs good even in biggish waves