After SUP'ing for more than two years and getting by with an old NSP surfboard..I finally got myself a real SUP....Waa-Hoo!!.

I bought a Naish 10'6" and I'm as happy as a pig in mud..

When I bought my NSP there was nothing else (here) and although I've got used to the tippyness of it..after test riding a few new boards I didn't realize just what I was missing.

Here's my old NSP next to my friends new C4...It really looks like just a surfboard doesn't it..and at 90kg I'm at the upper limit of this board for SUP'ing.

I thought a 10'6" would be a good all-rounder for me.



Here's my new baby...Sorry about all the pics...Yeah I'm just a bit excited..I could just look at it all day.







I couldn't wait to get it in the water and have a go..I had not even test ridden a 10'6" so I didn't know what to expect.

The best I could do today was a couple of hours paddling around the local marina on flat water to test it out.

I still don't have deck grip but my crocs grip the gloss surface real good..I'm looking at getting a C4 deck pad.



I was lucky to get one of the new Naish boards without the mast track..Just a small hole to screw a mast base into.

The early ones had a big track on the deck and made it feel like you were paddling a sailboard.

Here's a pic of the older style Naish board with a mast track.



I took a few more pics around the marina.







I was in such a hurry to get it wet I haven't even put the side fins in.



Yes I'm a happy-chappy......Now I can't wait to get in some waves and really test it out.

DJ

I reckon the Naish boards are real sexy
Id also have to say that the Starboard Sport Tech model is super sexy
I think it would spoil the nice wood finish look if you were to use deck grip. If you did only put it on the back half of the board you would have to wax the front half so you can nose ride it.
I have the EVA deck and love nose riding it
Seeing your photos of your precious board makes me wanna take some happy snaps as well hehehe
Wish you lived closer to me DJ so we can be paddle buddies

jethro2 said...

Good one DJ. Have you updated to a carbon paddle? Which one?

I entered a SUP race today..and as a result of finishing in the top ten I won a prize..

I won a new carbon fiber Naish paddle....Well just a letter to say what my prize was.

I hope to get it soon..So I will let you know how it goes.

What a great day...Thanks SHQ..

DJ

Once I get a chance to load some pictures I'll start another post/topic about my first SUP race.

DJ

Congrats DJ,

Hey Session were you out at cosy corner on sunday?

I was sitting up on the point with my grommet watching a pod of about 8 SUPers out. It was very small in there but cleanish and they were having a ball.

Yes I have a deck pad now but I'm waiting to get a nice tail pad before I stick it all on.

I was going to hit the coast today..but the weather has turned crap the last two days.

BTW...It's amazing the difference the 10'6" is compared to the 11'6".

The 11/6 feels huge and the 10/6 feels tiny.

It only just floats me...but I love it.

DJ

I'm about 88kg and I have used both boards but only on flat water..It's amazing the difference in the two boards that look almost the same in pictures.

The big one is very big and very stable..but feels a bit too big to me..also when you tip it from side to side (as you do when you balance)..it moves an inch or so and then comes to a sudden stop as the bigger rail volume wants to float it back.

The smaller board has much less rail volume..and when you tip it it goes much further before just slowing down..There is not that sudden stop..I actually don't like that sudden stop as the board stops tipping..but most learners do.

Paddling the big one you ride high and dry..with the smaller you seem to ride at water level and when you tip a rail slightly to paddle straight the water flows across the deck and over your foot.

The rocker feels different also..The bigger board seems to have a flat area where the smaller one seems to have a continues curve..and it's hard to find the paddling sweet spot..but I like the thinner nose and tail on the smaller board.

The smaller board is not for a first time paddler unless they are very light...but if you want to progress..and don't mind the challenge..and also surf better in the waves the smaller boards is the way to go..IMO

They are both great boards..but if someone wants to go straight to the smaller one I would suggest a demo on one first.

DJ

Yes..It has a vent screw...If you look close at this pic the mast base screw hole has a 2" black dot over it.

About 6" ahead of it is the vent screw and it has a clear sticker around it that says "Attention Vent Screw"

The last pic shows how floaty the 10'6" is...or how floaty it is not..

I'm at a standstill..and the water is up the rails on both sides..the top of the deck is dry (just)..and the tail is slightly submerged.

DJ

Yes...As soon as I put some deck grip on it..Today would have been perfect.

Here's a couple of pics of the new Starboard being sailed...(not me)

DJ

Here's the newStarboard 9'8" fish SUP and the new 7'2" SUP..



This is the newStarboard 9'8" fish SUP being sailed...Love the Jimi Henirix Hot sail..