I assume plenty of you have been in this situation, so would appreciate any advice. Sorry if this topic is raised by every second person who is new to SUP, but I couldn't find any other posts.

I am only interested in the surfing side of the sport, so I want a small board, but am not sure how small is too small to learn on.

I have been surfing for +25 years, and don't want to buy a board that surfs like a dog, just so I can learn to paddle a bit eaisier. Having said that, I don't want to waste my money on something I can't even stand on.

6 foot, 85kg.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Yes, its better to get a reasonably sized board, say 10-12' with plenty of width for stability. Learning on a SUP is much the same as on a shortboard start long and come down in size as you get better.

A word of advice, though, it's much better to learn a few things on flatwater first before venturing into waves - like paddle techniques and turning your board. When you are ready to go for a few waves stay away from busy surf spots. There are usually plenty of waves to be found on a SUP where there are no people.

Have fun

stay above 9'

Craig,

You're about the same weight (but a bit taller) as I am and with the about same amount of surfing behind you.

I started on a 10' x 28 x 4 1/4 and found that kind of dimension to be a great blend of size to get started and to keep me going afterwards. It was a great challenge but what good in life comes easy? In fact I rode that board solid for over 3 years in all sorts of conditions.

Saying all of that though, it comes down to you, balance, fitness etc. The best suggestion above is demo some boards, try the sizes the cheap or even free way and find something that feels and looks good to you.

25 years of surfing is a lot of time looking at surfboard design, make sure you see the things you should see on any good surfboard before you spend your money. Bottom contour (concaves, vee's etc) Hard edges on the tail, good rocker and rails, you know how important they are and don't accept anything less. Check any of the good SUP surf boards and they are all designed by 'surfboard' shapers.

If you can surf, you can turn any size board with those things built into them.

I was in a similar situation (although I'm a little shorter 5'9" & heavier ~90kg). I've got a bit of a surfing background (long & short board over quite a few years, although never that good). I wanted something that I could paddle fairly easy & be able to stay upright but would still surf ok. I demo'd quite a few from 12' Starboard Big Easy, some drops, Oxbow down to the 9'4" Jimmy Lewis. I ended up going with the Starboard 9'8" x 30" element & I'm pretty stoked with it.

I've had it a week & a half & have been out on it every day since (except for one). A spent a lot of time in Newy harbour, across to Stockton to get some small waves there, went out at Nobby's after 3 days but had a shocker. Then spent some more time in the harbour & stockton (it's a little more protected from the Southerly's & SE's) and once in the Lake. Went out again at Nobby's this morning, quite messy, still falling off heaps but ended up getting a few good waves.

Anyway I've found the board at 30" to be quite stable (especially in the side chop I had at Nobby's this morning), once on a wave though it flies down the line & turns well (still working out fin size & placement). On flat water it cruises very well for it's length & it fit's inside my car (an old subaru sportwagon) so I can take it to work & leave it in the car (it's got a vent plug as well). I've got the Tufskin EVA Camo version, the full deck grip is nice & it's easy on the feet (and knees being a SUP newbie)

I don't have lot of SUP experience, this is just my feedback based on what I've tried to date. I would certainly recommend you give the Starboard Element a demo (where are you located, welcome to try mine?). Here's a link to the board Spec's:
http://www.star-board-sup.com/2010/products/boards/board_element.php

(I'm not affiliated with Starboard, I just like the product & found the Element a great solution for my needs at the moment!)

i am only 74kgs and learnt on a 9 '3" psh ripper i found was very hard for the first 3 weeks, but i have surfed on a shortboard all my life and thought would rather have a board i can surf on than a stable log that surfs like an oversize mal which i would grow out of in a matter of weeks. Its hard going at the start on a short sup but if you give it time you will get it. Now for the last 3 months ive upgraded to an custom 8'8" sup for the surfing side of things and sold the psh .
I would think something around 10foot for you to start on as you are a bit bigger than me but as jacko said test a few out first

I am 100kg and started 8 months ago with a 8'11" (actually, started with a 7'6" Sealion but didnt go anywhere).

You can definitely start with a 9' board, *IF* you plan to use it only in glassy conditions (If there 15knts chop I fall as soon as I stop paddling), and if the board is wide enough, and has a stable shape (not all shapers master how to make boards both lively and stable). I went paddling on the flat or micro waves for one month each morning before attempting waves. My board is the fabulous Drops Vulcan, www.gong-galaxy.com/magazine/pics/1-hour-4-boards/
Try to find a good construction, solid and light, beware of the prestigious brands where you actually buy a low-quality china pop-up heavy and floppy with a famous sticker on it.

Note that I ordered now a bigger board (9'11") to use with chop and to go to our "outer reefs". Do not go too small fi you have any chop where you surf.

My advice would be to get a big (wide especially) board, but one with enough performance that you will want to keep it for small waves (or choppy conditions) once you you buy a shorter "shortboard feel" SUP. Do not buy a heavy tank.