Just wondering why a few of the new SUP surfers didn't get into longboarding? Is the feel on the wave much difference between a 9 foot high performance modern longboard and a 9'6 SUP ripper. Surely the longboard is still looser, being alot narrower, lighter, and thinner. Can anyone reveal the main differences in the feel in the ride ? Obviously not the paddle.

I can imagine the advantage of the paddle. But also would think there is advantages of the longboard. You can kneel or laydown paddle on a longboard. Still both would be relatively easy to catch anything compared to a shortboard.

By the way I don't do either, so just interested on peoples thoughts on this.

I got into SUP having been a longboarder and still take the longboard out when I can. Just been having loads of fun on the SUP and it does give you more options out in the line-up.

After riding on my SUP and then going to the longboard I have found that the feel of the longboard is a lot lighter, I have better control and can get to better positions on the wave. Paddling isn't much of a drama, unless you forget to warm up properly - I sometimes notice my neck muscles are tighter after surfing on the longboard.

I suppose it comes down to the use of your feet and the rails of both, with the SUP teaching you more control given the extra width and length. This seems to instinctively help your longboard riding as you are more aware of your feet placement and transfer of weight.

IMO you do notice an big improvement in your surfing on a longboard after SUP. I would imagine that it would be the same if you went further to a short board.

Thats what I hear. That a small SUP really feels more like a short board. I am just wondering why a high performance long board doesn't feel closer to a small SUP. I think the SUPs can afford to have more rocker as the paddle allows waves to still be caught ?? But really a good surfer paddler, will catch waves very easily anyway on a longboard. I am not sure. I would had thought even short SUPs would be nearer to the feel of a longboard and performance than a 6' shortboard. A few advantages I would had thought a longboard would have is that its easier when its a bit choppy. paddling laying down must be easier. Also it seems more efficient use of volume. A SUP has to provide volume when you are standing around, and then you may have too much when you don't want it. But also, paddling standing up, maybe that's more fun than just laying down.

Why has there has been a sudden surge to SUP and not longboarding. Why have you choosen SUPs over longboards. Are there longboarders that got in to SUP, but now prefer their longboards ? or are SUPS really that much better. Or is it just that they are different and new. Change can be a perfectly good reason. Variety...

I can see the flat water paddle side and long distance races etc, but then why didn't these people tend towards ocean kayaks which seem even more efficient.

There are plenty of younger crew getting into Mal riding at the moment in Vic. I'm talking aged from 25 to mid 30's. These guys are coming from short boards and are right into the whole old school thing, front zip wetsuits, old style mals, single fins etc. I think SUP is partly responsible for this as it has opened the minds of some surfers to other options. SUP is still frowned upon by most on the Vic eastcoast and winki but most other places are accepting it ok.

I think the leverage a paddle gives you means you can cut harder turns than most bigger mals but these are the shorter performance SUPs as Brooko said. I really like the idea that it's new, you can actually cut hard turns on such a big board and the novelty of the whole thing, paddle etc.

I was unlucky and snapped my archillies 6 months and SUP has been great for strengthening my ankle & calf again. My back aslo feels better for it. I also now surf my 7'6" mini mal like a shortboard and my fish with heaps better style.

I have surfed shortboards for over 20yrs and got into sup to help with recovery for a shoulder op and for something to do on those days when its to small for a shortboard.

Now I hardly ever ride my shortboards and are fully into sup and love it, So far I have been out in waves from knee high to double overhead, I have a 9 6" naish and a new 8 6" board shaped by Rod Hocker.

I was just saying to Robdog out in the water the other day how good this is, and like its "surfing Plus" Im enjoying my surfing so much at the moment all thanks to this new great pastime of ours.

nr...you should have kept your SUP


i get a lot of different reactions from longboarders,,, some are very inquisative, asking questions, sayin sick wave mate, genearrly being friendly and almost look like they could take it up.

then there are the others, that give you nothing, and look at you - as if you were a goaty that had just paddled into the middle of a shortboard platoon of musclehead tattoo'd hawaiin locals at a pipe comp


i didnt get into longboards coz i never learnt to surf, (there is no surf in perth!) transition from wave sailing to sup was toooooooooooooo easy.....although i can now lie down to standup surf...all be it on my sup board