Hi Everyone, im new to the forum and have been considering a SUP, primarily as a fitness thing.
I'm happy at this stage surfing both long and shortboards and do not want surf an SUP, although everybody that i know that has one tells me I will, we wait and see on that one. I did have a go on one a fair while ago and it was fun.

i have 2 boys 14 & 18 and they are keen to have one that would get most use in the river close by my house, although i think the younger one may want to surf it as well.

My thinking is something in the 10'6" to 11' range, however am open to any thoughts and suggestions.

cheers Paul

surfskater61 said...

Hi Everyone, im new to the forum and have been considering a SUP, primarily as a fitness thing.
I'm happy at this stage surfing both long and shortboards and do not want surf an SUP, although everybody that i know that has one tells me I will, we wait and see on that one. I did have a go on one a fair while ago and it was fun.

i have 2 boys 14 & 18 and they are keen to have one that would get most use in the river close by my house, although i think the younger one may want to surf it as well.

My thinking is something in the 10'6" to 11' range, however am open to any thoughts and suggestions.

cheers Paul

10' Naish Mana will do it all with ease and yep, you'll end up tossing the smaller boards like we all do after having the same thoughts as you have right now.

The Mana cruises the River (just take the sides out and put a 10' big rake in the box) and then let her rip as a thruster on the beach.

Hi Paul, I once asked the same question as you and also had NO intention to ever surf a sup, I live on a canal and wanted something to do when there's no swell or those blown out days The advice I received was great, I went for a 11.4 Naish and after a month during a flat period I surfed it and found it a bit beasty for my liking and traded for a PSH 10.6 which imho surfs well ( not as good as some ) but is also a good flatwater paddler. My advice would be go for an all rounder, because you will want to surf it.

mac

Thanks for the input guys.

An all rounder is what I'm looking for, my eldest son has a good mate who used to longboard and now only SUPs, so I'm guessing he will be the one that will definately surf it and he is the keenest to get one, or should i say me to buy one.

there is a 10'6" takiyama Hawian pro designs in the shop he works in which we like the look off and I dare say we could get a good deal on.

Whats the go with paddles? do we need carbon? I'm 6ft son is 6'3" and other is 5'6", my thoughts are get one that suits us taller ones and the littley will grow into it.

The takayama is a great board and will suit your needs well and if you can get a good deal on one - all the better. Also agree with Paul J re the quickblade adjustable paddle - very very light and strong and good range of adjustability (is that a word).

After getting all excited about the arrival of my paddle, it was sold by one of the other staff before i could pick it up sat am. Anyway, i ended up borrowing 2 demo boards and paddles.
They are both smaller than what i would buy but proved fun anyway. the McTavish 9'6" double flyer thingo and a 7S uber fish.

the 7S was not much fun with my lithe 90kg and inexperienced paddling ability going into a head wind and incoming tide.

yesterday i had a good long play on the Mc, paddled about 5k up and down the river, was some quite pleasant scenery on the bank and in the water as I paddled past, gotta love councils who put caravan parks on the rivers edge

gave me a new found respect for SUPpers when i got to practicing some sharp turns, I managed ok doing it on my backhand, would only fall in every 3rd or 4th go but found forehand turns quite difficult, read fall in nearly every time.

Didnt pull up sore but can feel i have used some mucsles that maybe dont get used to often.

Looking forward to seeing if the sailboard actually works once i get a paddle