I'm 108kg-ish... the smallest board I have surfed at this weight is 126L. 135L or so is very comfortable for me, 130L is fine also. I've been SUP surfing for 3 years and am in the water about 3 x a week.

Very hard to learn on a 8'6 mad dog at 100kg IMO, best to get something wider and longer to start with and keep the Mad Dog for when you've got some experience and are weighing under 95kg max. If you try and learn on the mad dog, all that will happen is you'll get super frustrated and not enjoy the sessions...

I'd look at something 9'5" - 10' long, 31" wide, about 150L. You'll keep this board forever, great to learn on, great on small weak days, great for family/friends to use... it'll make your progression so much faster and more fun.

Ive got a different opinion ,Im thinkin if you want to ride a smaller board for whatever your reason you should jump in the deep end as you have.
Surf stance for paddling,paddle every chance you get ,flatwater ,surf, whatever.Dont be shy about sitting out the back or spending a bit of time on your knees.
Biggest key for surfing though is learning to hit the sweet spot when jumping from sitting/kneeling, to paddle into waves.
Just stick at it dont let it get to you when it throws you the payoffs on a wave are well worth it in my humble opinion.

I'd also say no.. and also what Hoppo said..

"I'd look at something 9'5" - 10' long, 31" wide, about 150L. You'll keep this board forever, great to learn on, great on small weak days, great for family/friends to use... it'll make your progression so much faster and more fun."

No way. Trying to learn on too small a board is totally counter-productive, as it slows immensely your progress, even stops it, and will disgust you.

Once you know how to SUP, and can analyze what is going on, using a slightly challenging board can be helpful. But now, you need a wide (32"+) board with at least 160 liters volume, with a wide nose and tail.

Definitely start on a bigger board mate. I started on an 11'6 plank and progressed to smaller boards once I learnt about sweet spots and balance. Which comes with time and experience in the surf. I'm currently 88kgs but started around 95kgs. I'm on a mission to get to 85kgs so I can ride my JP Surf which is 8'6" 29 wide 115L (i think) I wanna take it to Macaronis (Mentawais) in August. It's loose and rips. i'm nearly there but still find it a bit tippy. I think 80kgs is ideal for this board but I won't get there so 85 will have to do!
I agree with the other fellas re keeping your Mad dog but starting off on something wider and with more volume. You'll progress WAY faster this way. The 10' Mana is a fun board but more of a Mal shape. My go to board is a Hokua 8'8 X32 wide. 141L It's a short board shape and very stable. I've had this board since 2014 and still love it. i've ridden Ulu's, Padang Padang and Canggu with it. No probs. Anyway, chew on the meat and spit out the bones as they say.
Cheers :)
Greg McK

savfer said..
Cheer lads. Much appreciated. I'll look around for a new board and keep hold of my Mad Dog for when I've got some experience.

Very wise

colas said..
No way. Trying to learn on too small a board is totally counter-productive, as it slows immensely your progress, even stops it, and will disgust you.

Once you know how to SUP, and can analyze what is going on, using a slightly challenging board can be helpful. But now, you need a wide (32"+) board with at least 160 liters volume, with a wide nose and tail.

Agree 100%. Me and two mates all brought boards within a month of each other. They got a a 9"2 and a 9"6. I got an 11'2 and the difference between the number of waves alone is significant. Let alone how much more stoaked I am after each session.