Welcome on board Bungster. Here is some excellent advice for you being that you are from W.A.

Do not leave your paddle behind when you leave the carpark.

ET.

Bungster,

SUP demo down at Peli tomorrow morning 8am1pm (11th Oct), would be worth your while going down for a paddle.

Stand Up Paddle Sports - Sup and Sizzle
www.seabreeze.com.au/Members/Events/Event.aspx?id=8825226

On demo from their facebook page
9'5" x 30" Starboard Converse +
9'5" x 32" Starboard Widepoint
9?5? x 30? Starboard Nut
9?8? x 30? Starboard Element
10?0? x 34? Starboard Whopper
10?5? x 30? Starboard Drive
11?2? x 30? Starboard Nut
11'2" x 30" Starboard Blend
11'2" x 36" Starboard Avanti
12'2" x 30" Starboard Freeride
12?6? x 28? Starboard Allstar
12'6" x 30" Starboard Astro Touring
14?0? x 26.5? Starboard Allstar
14?0? x 27? Starboard Ace
14?0? x 28? Starboard Allstar
14?0? x 25? Starboard Allstar
14?0? x 26? Starboard Astro Racer

I started on the Converse and suited me fine (73kg)

I am going tomorrow to try the race boards so might see you there.

Cheers
Slack

I definitely bought the Converse (9x30) for the waves and being my first board I was falling off a lot then after a couple of months I decided to get a smaller board (8x28 Pro) for the glassy days. Plan was to use both boards but after riding the 8Pro I never used the Converse again the reason being the Converse is more of a longboard ride verses the shortboard feel the 8Pro delivers. After 6 months I conceded defeat with the 8Pro as just too challenging for me at this point and now have the 9x29 Pro which is great. I still think the Converse is a great board and a good first board that you shouldn't grow out of anytime soon but it just wasn't for me.

I'm 1min from Peli but will go to Cott for some waves first.


Oops I chopped some of the demo board list off, here is the top of the list
7'7" x 26" Starboard EVO
8?2? x 32? Starboard Widepoint
8?5? x 30? Starboard Pocket Rocket
8?8? x 31.5? Starboard Airborne
8?10? x 32? Starboard Widepoint
9?0? x 30? Starboard Converse

Just back from the SUP and sizzle. A great opportunity to try different boards and the wind kicked up the river a little to give it a slightly ocean feel!

Whopper - so stable. Almost felt too big and too easy however so I'm dubious that I'll want to go smaller and have to trade it in.

Converse 9' by 30" - noticeable increase in challenge. Although I was fairly comfortable paddling it about I reckon a 32" board is more apt for myself in ocean conditions.

Wide point- the 8'10" by 32 epoxy. My favourite. It was fantastic and I found it very stable. However, if I'm a realist I'd say it is possibly too short for my novice surf experience. Therefore, I tested and liked the 9'5" 32" brushed carbon. There wasn't an epoxy in this size but guidance seemed to suggest this would be a good start point for me.

Thanks for your advice

Thanks jenkz