Hi JiP.. A 11'2" Starboard or 11'4" Naish.. even an 11' NSP or 10'10' Walden.. Boards like these as a minimum in size (IMO).

Short boards like that 9'6" can be paddled in in flat water.. But it take continuous concentration.. Sort of like walking a tight-rope.

It's like doing a two hour bush walk or trek.. Imagine doing that the whole way while walking a tight-rope.. It may be doable but not much fun.

Get a bigger board.. I reckon even an 11'6" you'll enjoy the whole experience so much more and you will want to stay on the water much longer.

I'm sure some others will not agree but that's what I reckon.. Demo some boards and see what you think but it needs to be fun, not hard work. (IMO)

DJ

Mate I am almost exactly tha same size as you (slightly taller).

My advice, give very carefull consideration to what you wnat to do on the board. I thought the same as you with the 50/50 flat and waves, but in reality now only find myself riding my SUP in the surf, and almost never on flat water. I now regret buying the bigger board.

If flat water is going to be something you continue, you would be very hard pressed to find better than the 11'4" Naish or the 11'2" Starboard. But if you are going to end up on these boards only the surf my experience is that you will out grow them very fast, get a 9'6" and keep at it.

There are a few guys I have met recently of a similar size that have learnt on 9'6" boards so don't let anyone convince you it can't be done. And keep in mind that if you do as I have done and look to downsize 6 months down the track you will loose some big $$$ on the 2nd hand market - not so bad if you manage to pick something up 2nd hand in the first place.

Also, I agree demo some boards, but while doing so remmeber that the 11ft boards will always be easier to ride. So on the day you demo you will feel more comfortable and may see this as the way to go. If you can stand on a 9-10ft board and paddle it in a very short time, you will find easier stability in the next few days. It was suggested to me to get a shorter board to demo for a weekend or longer if possible, as it takes a little longer to get the hang of it.

JiP said...

Hi all
Im probably 85-90kg wet
I really want to get into SUP boarding.
I will be mainly riding 50% flat water excercise and 50% shoulder high or less waves.

I just watched the U tube video of a guy on 9"6' ripper in 1 foot slop and he was having a ball ! my confusion is because he looked so stable and comfortable, that it seemed he would have no problem flat water gliding on a 9'6" ??? so you think the guy must have been a lighty ?

Can anyone recommend a board that will do both for my height and weight 180cm 85 kg
i was looking at something around the 11ft mark but that video has got me thinking shorter now

Cheers all
JP

JIP or is that JP come and have another go on my 10'5"x30 *board. I'm sure with a bit of TOW you will find this to your liking. We weigh the same. Having ridden the 11'2" there is very little difference in the glide of both these boards. i too though i would be doing flat waterr stuff, but now i just wanna get waves on it. You know how to find me

Come on JiP... Stimulate the econonomy.

You need
1. 11' ish for the flat
2. 9'6" ish for the surf
3. Penatrator for the down wind

All custom to help out our shapers.

4. same as above for the wife. Happy wife, Happy Life

aus301 said...

Mate I am almost exactly tha same size as you (slightly taller).

My advice, give very carefull consideration to what you wnat to do on the board. I thought the same as you with the 50/50 flat and waves, but in reality now only find myself riding my SUP in the surf, and almost never on flat water. I now regret buying the bigger board.

If flat water is going to be something you continue, you would be very hard pressed to find better than the 11'4" Naish

I second that, thats why my 11.4 is for sale,

mac

26 Labs said...

hey 62mac how much & any photo's?

Hi Labs,long time no see clip on my profile,I have a couple of pic's! This board is in perfect nick,talk price later if your interested

cheers mac

Thanks All and Cheers Bender !
Great advice here.
This is my descision ....im going to write it in the hope it may help someone in my circumstance that cant quite bring himself to fork out 3 to 4 k for 3 boards to cover all bases !
(Buddina (but maybe i should just have more faith and STORAGE )

Enviroment has played the biggest part in my descision, good solid waves are 1hr car drive away which is well doable but when i take those journeys i will be taking my 6'6".

Locally i am surrounded by Flat water estuary and open ocean. with the odd day maybe 3 -4 times a month that we see rideable knee shoulder high waves.
more so in the winter.

All this taken into consideration i think im going to go for DavidJohns suggestion and go Big, that way i can just grab it and go for a paddle no matter what the conditions.
I can also sunbath on the deck and take it easy photographing Dolphins and wild life etc etc

Actaully while writing this i have confirmed to myself that the BIG easy is the way to go but

Thanks again guys

DavidJohn said...

Hi JiP.. A 11'2" Starboard or 11'4" Naish.. even an 11' NSP or 10'10' Walden.. Boards like these as a minimum in size (IMO).

Short boards like that 9'6" can be paddled in in flat water.. But it take continuous concentration.. Sort of like walking a tight-rope.

It's like doing a two hour bush walk or trek.. Imagine doing that the whole way while walking a tight-rope.. It may be doable but not much fun.

Get a bigger board.. I reckon even an 11'6" you'll enjoy the whole experience so much more and you will want to stay on the water much longer.

I'm sure some others will not agree but that's what I reckon.. Demo some boards and see what you think but it needs to be fun, not hard work. (IMO)

DJ

Great advice mate thanks
(you look exactly like Wayne Rabbit B with that Tash