10 posts
Hi everyone,
I have been windsurfing for 15 years and surfing for the last 5, & am seeking some advice from anyone who may be able to point me in the right direction.
I live near the surf so basically I am looking for a SUP that will perform well in the surf. I weigh 75kg and have good balance co-ordination etc...
There have been 3 boards that have intereswted me, 2 are the Bonga Perkins 10', second is the Southpoint Kalama 10'6 & the third is the 10'6 Naish.
I've been a little thrown off the Bonga model only because i've heard that although it rips in the surf its still pretty wobbly in chop etc..
I ve read reviews on the Naish 10'6 & haven't heard anything negative at all however was concerned that a board thats 4 3/4 thick is perhaps a bit to much floaty???
Finally I havent been able to find any reviews for the 10'6 Kalama model for performance in the surf? Has anyone riden one of these in the waves & could perhaps share their views??
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Many thanks
QLD
3381 posts
Hey Mate
Please take in to account that i do own a shop that sells SUP's.
The best thing to do is find a shop that does demo's and demo some boards or go and do one lesson and in that lesson try all the boards on offer as the first time you go out you might need a 11 foot board but you'll out grow that pretty quick being only 75kg.
When we do a lesson we ask what the customer wants out of a board surf,flat water paddling or both and find the board best to suit them for the long term.
From the sound of it you'll pick it up pretty fast and if only wanting it for the waves then under 10 foot will be the go. I know that boards like 9'6 naish are as stable as some 10'6 boards and you'll save yourself$$$$ by not having to up grade in a months time.
Hope this helps more than happy for you to PM or call me for more advice
Jacko
VIC
17570 posts
I would recommend the 9'6" Naish.. or the 9'6" PSH.. or even the Uber fish.. That would be a great board for you... Oxbow.. There's heaps out there now.
Maybe even consider the 11' NSP to start with and after getting the hang of it upgrade to something smaller... You should try before you buy. Where are you?
Don't make the mistake of getting something too small to start with and thinking you'll learn to get used to it.. You want to have fun while learning.. not frustration.
DJ
QLD
2819 posts
Totally agree with Jacko and Dj - try before you buy. Do not be tempted to go too short to start with and kidding yourself that you will have it mastered in 3 months just to save money - you will miss out on all the cruisey fun good times that come with learning on a bigger board and that is where your passion will start from.
Jacko and Ang' have lessons and demo boards in the naish/oxbow range on the gold coast and paramount adventure centre at burleigh also do lessons and hire on the nsp/uber fish boards. I would highly recommend that you consider spending $50 on a lesson or two (even with a couple of different instructors) and learn some basic safety/technique whilst spending time on different boards. the few bucks you spend on lessons/hire could well save you hundreds at purchase time !!
I personally believe you are better to start on a bigger board for the first 6 months or so (around 11 to 11'6) and get comfortable with your technique and build your paddle fitness etc - BUT if you do purchase a bigger board stick with a name brand and you will lose a lot less money on it when you downsize in the future. (cant go wrong with naish/starboard/nsp as your first board)
