Hey guys, just wondering what the durability of SUP's are. Some seem to be very light weight/ with minimal reinforcing for their size. I'm guessing due to overall size they need to be light but has strength be jeopardised for the need for lightness? Comparing to a traditional longboard/shortboard construction were boards can have multiple stringers how do the modern big brand SUP's stack up?

I'm in the market for a SUP, I ride a dirty old mal I have had for almost 15 years but just cant help thinking it could be an expensive mistake. Are they strong enough for many years of service or should I be looking at a custom board made in a traditional method although heavier may be a lot more durable?

How often are boards breaking? I'm not talking about massive surf either, up to 5' is what I imagine I would take the SUP out into, any bigger and it will be the trusty old mal.

Very interested to hear the collective wisdom of the experienced.

Having surfed for years, I seemed to always be repairing my fiberglass boards. When I started paddle boarding, I was amazed at how strong the production boards were. I put my paddle board through things that would have seen a fibreglass board fold in half easily.

As a result of how impress I was, for a round the world trip I had planned, I bought an epoxy surfboard to travel with and it made it through half a dozen flights looking as good as the day I bought it, I was so impressed, I sold my fibreglass surfboards.

I even had a classic accident where I drove into an underground carpark forgetting I had two paddle boards on the roof! The straps snapped before the boards did and they only sustained minor scratches from the concrete roof.

Go production, you won't regret it.

I snapped my first board 11'6 southpoint but it was a heavy day , and it was a tank.the two PSH boards i have had , seem almost bomb proof.Pay a little more , get a little more. They way i chose my boards at the end of the day was just inspecting them , and i know didley squat about surfboards , but its easy to see quality vs cheap in anything.

Thanks for the feedback fellas.

I had a look at a few production boards over the last few weeks. One that sticks in my mind is the Surftech Laird/Pearson. They only had the 12'1' in stock but the 11' will be available in a few weeks. Theoretically the 11 will be better in surf, but how much more maneuverable is it in reality?

Any one have any experience with the Laird/Pearson?

karatemonkey said...

BUMP!

Anyone have any experience with the Laird Pearson boards?

Maybe I should have had a more creative title like "Ban SUP's" or "SUPS riders suck donkey d!&K" to get a few more replies lol. I have a had a good laugh reading these forums for the last few weeks!

Yeah i have the 14ft it is awesome have surfed it from 0.5-5ft and paddled it in the 24hr flood paddle on flat water it goes anywhere and runs over anything.perfect board for a sup wanker

Laird's a god!!!111!! If he puts his name to it you can be sure you'll be ripping in no time.

In that case I better buy 3 of them in various sizes

Hey Karate,

I had the older version of the Laird 12'1 and it was great board lots of fun, havent tried the new version.

Depends on what your looking for, there are other boards that will provide great stability and more performance than the older Laird.

The Naish Mana series, the PSH Wide and XXL boards, Starby has a Wopper etc etc.

Demo as many as you can before you choose, remember your 1st board is likely to be used in the future for a family friend or some one you meet who wants to have a go when you go down on the board chain.

Phill

More good info, thanks fellas.

Having a well respected shaper like Pearson put his name to the shape is a big influence for me. I will do some more research.