G'day Kagey
Our local SUP dealer is a GSI man so my wife and I use their product.
I started off with a Southpoint Kalama, and as with many people who started with a Kalama I have a soft spot for that huge, heavy, handleless behemoth.The Kalama 11'6" will have a place in the SUP hall of fame because it simply got so many people started.
Now the Waldens.
She has a Walden 9'11" because it is light and easy to carry. She is a novice surfer and the Walden gets onto waves easy and is forgiving, but gives encouragement for risking turns. The glide on still water is way out of it's class. They paddle easily as fast as 11+footers. This was shown by a Walden 10'10" coming second or third at the Snowy 3 km paddle ahead of a couple of dudes on naish Glide, C4 Vortice and PSH 12 (sorry to bring that up guys[}:)])
I also have a Walden 9'11" for Surfin!
They might look a bit different but they WORK!
If anyone ever get's the opportunity to test ride one of these boards,do it.
The 9'11" is a very different beast to the 10'10'.
As you can tell, I like em'.
Jack

Not completely sure but it may have something to do with the fact that the southpoint sups were kalama models and since dave kalama has left southpoint they may have dropped the name altogether. I have not tried the 9'11 walden but have heard really good things about it but I do believe that they are too expensive for an unproven model and their price puts them up against some very good sups with proven performance.
What I would say though is don't be a sheep - ride what you wanna ride no matter what the brand - they all work and at the end of the day if you get a board you like at a price you like go with it and don't be swayed by what anyone else thinks or says - it's your money and you are the one riding the board. I have owned and ridden many different brands of boards and have never ridden a bad sup. Some paddle better and some surf better but they are all good and they all work and they are all good fun. Ride as many as you can and when you find the one you like shop around for the best deal. Good luck with it.

Aucklanders, Can never decide Will i have cream with my latte hmm

Dont forget the danish

I am not hundred percent certain but I have heard that g.s.i have lost/given away whatever - southpoint range of boards. Not sure who the importer is now but have also heard that the boards are gunna be cheaper. Not all bad news cos the southpoint boards are pretty good and if they are going to be a more affordable option than previous southpoint models they may be onto something.

Yep was thinking the same thing, his boards aren't made for heavier buggers like myself but I reckon due the wider profile I could give the 10' a good go too.