Hey,
Im a SUP female who has been riding a 10'10 BIC Jungle for just over a year now (longboarding for about 7 prior) and am looking for something a bit shorter, more manouverable and lighter for me to lug around. A woman never tells her weight, but im 5'8 and athletic build so not as heavy as guys who'd be riding the same size board. Wondering what people suggest as a good next step. I still like to cruise the flat occasionally, but spend more time in the surf these days, mostly 3ft and under where i live. Id like something durable as i am quite clumsy and something more on the less expensive end of the scale. I am planning on demoing as much as possible and talking to my local store owner as he is a sup officionado. Any suggestions from the forum?

The starboard 9.8 Element is a very popular board with the ladies and the new naish 9.0 Mana also looks like a great little board with good allround potential so both would be worthy additions to your must try list.
And just for your info' both boards are way, way more stable than than the bic jungle and noticably lighter to carry.

Hi denaz.
Im similar size to you I would say, and female.
Been supping for 18 months and now mostly surf.

I have an starboard Element and a starboard Pro Wave 9.1.

Have moved to these boards after BIG boards and also a nice Laguna Bay 9.3 (which I kept dropping and putting holes in, silly woman!)

The starrys are really a tough durable board, and very easy to handle.

The element is a real long board feel with lovely drive, but the Pro Wave I really love, its fast in the waves and super light, but still has great drive and paddles straight. Its a bit less stable , but at our weight its all good !
Have fun !

Just picked my wife up the Gerry Lopez 8'11 (Good husband that I am, all be it I want a go too )

She came from the 9'8 SB Element which she hated didn't like and called a slug (wouldn't ride it after 30 hrs and went to her 10'6 Oxbox as she reckons it was faster etc)

Hi Sunny,
To be fair weight is important in regard to sup so ill have to be honest and say atm im sitting at 72kg but am loosing weight so looking at 65ish when i get to my goal. Thanks for the tips, im looking at something around 9ft and yes i knock my board around a LOT cos im a bit clumsy so thats good to know im not the only one in that boat! I dont mind challenging myself so a little less stability will be ok by me, and yeh compared to the guys that ride these that isnt too bad for us. So i'll have to check them out. Do you know what they retail for?
Thanks again.

sunnySUP said...

Hi denaz.
Im similar size to you I would say, and female.
Been supping for 18 months and now mostly surf.

I have an starboard Element and a starboard Pro Wave 9.1.

Have moved to these boards after BIG boards and also a nice Laguna Bay 9.3 (which I kept dropping and putting holes in, silly woman!)

The starrys are really a tough durable board, and very easy to handle.

The element is a real long board feel with lovely drive, but the Pro Wave I really love, its fast in the waves and super light, but still has great drive and paddles straight. Its a bit less stable , but at our weight its all good !
Have fun !

boarder paul said...

standupper said...

DILLIGAF2 said...

Just picked my wife up the Gerry Lopez 8'11 (Good husband that I am, all be it I want a go too )

She came from the 9'8 SB Element which she hated didn't like and called a slug (wouldn't ride it after 30 hrs and went to her 10'6 Oxbox as she reckons it was faster etc)

Hey DILLIGAF2, you must have an impressive quiver of boards now!! I am 90% sure I will order a Sub Vector 9'3 but my second choice is the Gerry Lopez 8'11. Seeing as you now have both I would be very interested how you compare them stability and float wise. I'm guessing they both go great but I am more interested in how they paddle and float. Especially in chop. You can PM me if you like. Cheers

This would be a interesting answear, If you can post it

Will post under board reviews shortly.

Hold onto it tight, Sounds like you may need to sleep with one eye open

I think they stock Gerry Lopez at one of my local surf shops, and they demo boards there so ill have to go check that one out too. Too spoilt for choice atm so it will be a long time testing and deciding i think. Well with the cost i may need that time to save more anyway!
Thanks
Denae

lildarling said...

Hey denaz,
I've had the Element 9'8 but got bored of it really quickly - it just didn't seem to have enough shape/oomph/speed. I started on a whopper so loved starboards but then went to Oxbow 10'6 which is great in bigger surf but slower in small. I'd nearly looked at the 9'6 Oxbow but have lusted after the G Lopez boards and now have (tonight!) the 8'11.
I was just surprised at how quickly I moved on from the element so do try as many boards as poss and dont worry if it takes time.
The Oxbow's not the strongest and I tend to ding things too but I love the shape of it
but can't wait till I try my 8'11!