Advice for an ignorant newbie please....

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Stand Up Paddle Foiling Board Talk & Reviews Wing Foiling

AK1

NSW

5 posts

AK1

NSW, 5 posts

13 Oct 2012 6:43pm

Hi all

Had a little lurk around and hoping you can all point me in the right direction.

I want to get into SUP to strengthen my core so I can continue cycling.....which ain't so good for core or backs. Currently have a blown disc L5/S1 which is keeping me off the bike.

I live on the Lane Cove river in Sydney and would like to use the SUP for regular exercise.

I'm 80kg, 5'10", have ridden a SUP once, on perfectly flat water, and found it easy (balance, manouvering etc) and fun.

So a couple of questions which I'd appreciate your help with.

Which board? For flat water, fitness and strength training. Would like something fast so that I remain entertained and can cover some distance when I'm able. Is it a cruiser that I should look at or a race board?

Which Paddle?

Any likeminded people around the Lane Cove River/Paramatta River/Sydney Harbour area that I could hook up with once I'm able to?

Appreciate your time.

Adam

62mac

24860 posts

62mac

WA, 24860 posts

13 Oct 2012 3:59pm

AK1 said...

Hi all
hoping you can all point me in the right direction.

Don't do it Adam

Nah I'm sure the gang will give you some sound advice

worrier

726 posts

worrier

WA, 726 posts

13 Oct 2012 4:51pm

with a dicky back the first thing I would suggest is spend the extra bucks on a lightweight small bladed paddle. As for the boards you shouldn't have a problem with demo's over that way.
W

surf4fun

1313 posts

surf4fun

WA, 1313 posts

13 Oct 2012 5:37pm

I would definitely say go for a race board as it is fast you are after and something you can cover a bit of distance on they will hands down bebetter than a cruiser any day.

I'm 5'10 and 73kg and love my 12'6s. Having said that if it is only 1 board you are going to get I would be more likely to steer you towards a 14.

Now is the time to be getting into it as it doesn't matter how much you want to pay there are going to be plenty of boards around. All the major brands are coming out with their 2013 gear so plenty of new toys to check out and plenty of crew looking to upgrade so there should be some good second handers ming up on the market.

If it is complete flat water you are looking at paddling, check out the new Starboard sprint that comes out in a couple of weeks, or if you are quick you might be able to catch an Ace Pro (not the dug out Ace) floating around somewhere.

Witha dodgy back I would definitley be looking to spend theextra money on a carbon as that could save you a lot of possible pain going up and down on roofs.

Jradedmondo

NSW

637 posts

Jradedmondo

NSW, 637 posts

13 Oct 2012 9:16pm

hi
if you are only looking at flatwater paddling i would definatley go with a race board, try and demo as many boards as you can as it is a pricey investment for a race board, you can also try and pick up a second hand race board as there are some bargains going around and like already said all of the new boards are about to come out so a whole lot of last years boards will be getting sold,

paddles might seem a little pricey at first but when you compare a quality top end paddle like a kioloa or a quick blade with a cheaper paddle the weight is noticable and if you can demo them you will notice the difference, your back will also thank you,

Jarryd

laceys lane

QLD

19804 posts

laceys lane

QLD, 19804 posts

13 Oct 2012 8:24pm

surf4fun said...
I would definitely say go for a race board as it is fast you are after and something you can cover a bit of distance on they will hands down bebetter than a cruiser any day.

I'm 5'10 and 73kg and love my 12'6s. Having said that if it is only 1 board you are going to get I would be more likely to steer you towards a 14.

Now is the time to be getting into it as it doesn't matter how much you want to pay there are going to be plenty of boards around. All the major brands are coming out with their 2013 gear so plenty of new toys to check out and plenty of crew looking to upgrade so there should be some good second handers ming up on the market.

If it is complete flat water you are looking at paddling, check out the new Starboard sprint that comes out in a couple of weeks, or if you are quick you might be able to catch an Ace Pro (not the dug out Ace) floating around somewhere.

Witha dodgy back I would definitley be looking to spend theextra money on a carbon as that could save you a lot of possible pain going up and down on roofs.

i have a ace pro for sale and yes it is very fast

AK1

NSW

5 posts

AK1

NSW, 5 posts

14 Oct 2012 10:28am

Thanks guys, that's a great help already and totally agree on the lightweight/quality paddle comments.

Just to clarify, and I apologise again for my ignorance, does Sydney Harbour get counted as "flat water" or only the rivers? ie. Will something like "laceys lane's" 14" Ace Pro be a pain in the arse through the Harbour or does flat water encompass anything that isn't surf?

Cheers

Adam

dtm

NSW

1610 posts

dtm

NSW, 1610 posts

14 Oct 2012 6:55pm

I would classify the harbour as flat water though on its day it can be tricky and depends which part of the harbour your paddling in?? If in and around the heads it can get tricky with alot of rebound etc to deal with ... But mostly it's pretty easy paddling in there and if on a race board you can really cover some ground and explore the waterways !! If you havnt a surfing back ground and don't plan on surfing on your sup a race board is defiantly the best option ... Good luck and enjoy

WINDSURFnSNOW

NSW

1613 posts

WINDSURFnSNOW

NSW, 1613 posts

14 Oct 2012 10:24pm

Am I the only one who thinks an ace pro isn't the right choice as a board to take to Sydney Harbour for anyone let alone a new guy to the sport. The 28" questionable but the 25" no. It may be good for the dead flat Lane Cove River but is has it's limits.
I sell Starboards and love the way they work but they and others have better boards for this and the 14' Touring may be one.
Anyway, best to try some boards of this style first then decide.
Sam.

ShireSUP

NSW

982 posts

ShireSUP

NSW, 982 posts

14 Oct 2012 11:23pm

WINDSURFnSNOW said...
Am I the only one who thinks an ace pro isn't the right choice as a board to take to Sydney Harbour for anyone let alone a new guy to the sport. The 28" questionable but the 25" no. It may be good for the dead flat Lane Cove River but is has it's limits.
I sell Starboards and love the way they work but they and others have better boards for this and the 14' Touring may be one.
Anyway, best to try some boards of this style first then decide.
Sam.

No your not the only one, in fact some of think the only thing to take onto the open harbour is the Avanti................and the Ace Pro (and Naish LE for that matter) were designed as kayaks and someone put the wrong label on them........

laceys lane

QLD

19804 posts

laceys lane

QLD, 19804 posts

14 Oct 2012 11:51pm

no your not

ak1 emailed me and i agree with you sam. it truly is a fast board that keeps on gliding, but it's for the rivers and lakes- a flat water board. once your moving and settle in it's easy thou

Scotty88

4214 posts

Scotty88

4214 posts

15 Oct 2012 8:12am

Hey Adam,
Where you live I would be looking at a touring board not race.
If you stick to west of the coathanger you will experience some nice glassy water a majority of the time. The Lane Cove river is well protected from all winds and looks to be a great spot although it looked like the Yarra the last time I checked. I wouldn't go under 30" wide to start. I started on the Laird Coastrunner and still have it - it's the best touring board as you can tie stuff down for river runs,etc.
You want stability first up then go a thinner race board in time.
The ego thing in sup is to have the thinnest not the biggest. I think there was a thread recently on a 23" sup - toothpick.
Here's a link:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/Stand-Up-Paddle/~b_fvv/2010-Laird-14-Coastrunner-14-0.aspx&t=0

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