Healdy said...I started on the Whopper as my first standup board and it was great in big & small surf. It taught me quickly how to get on and ride waves (hard to turn in small surf). Other boards I tried were too tippy and I spent to much time falling off.
I progressed 6mths later to the 9'5" Naish Mana, this was an easy stepping stone. The luxury is it turns well and has good stability.
I assume in another 6mths I'll be after a performance board like the 9'6" Hokua. This rapid progression in board type is costly however is required for the likes of myself who surfed for years, got lazy and then found SUP which has kick started my enthusiasm for riding waves. I Would like to keep the Mana in my quiver for onshore/cross shore/windy days. This was also where the whopper excelled.
Also ride the 14' Glide - now any day I can SUP somewhere.
Hey, this one is of great help........as are the others so thanks all.
I started on the 10'5 Mana - rode it twice and took it back for the 10' Mana.
I also had the 11'6 Naish AST which I've still got but as good as it is, it is tippy in crossshore conditions. I'd say as 5 1/2 thick is just to 'boaty' but great for the family to play with and mates to random paddle !
I've been tossing up the 9'5 Mana but with the 10' already, I'd say the similarities are almost to close to measure and really a waste of $$ although I'm sure the 9'5 rips, so does the 10' although I'm finding it just a tad bouncy on sloppy days. (4 3/4 will do that)
Given the fact I'm like Healdy and new to SUP's but with 20 years extensive surf experience, the stepping stones have been quick in some regard but I'm aiming to keep this a fun activity rather than push it to comp standard or oversized shortboards although I appreciate them for what they are, I'm pushing 40yo with kids and just want to get wet most days and chill on the coast rather than push more boundaries.
I've decided to order the 10' Whopper for junky, sloppy days. 34 wide gives table stability, thinner rails and more weight give it a less corky feel and I'd say a tendency to ride 'in' pockets rather than 'on' and give me an addition to the quiver rather than the 9'5 Mana which would have been to close to the 10' Mana which I'll never let go of.
Thank again guys - appreciate using you as a sounding board. Should have the Whopper from WA end of next week and can let you know either with a smile or regret.
