I would be looking at the 9 8 as the next step down if you are into waves and the 11 2 is a keeper. very stable board for its size.

HAAK

elbeau, I tend to agree with the comments made by H.A.A.K. that the 10.5 may still be a little big. I jumped from an 11.6 to a 9.6, it's a big difference but not impossible (weighing in at 94kgs).

As for the 10.5 a mate bought one 3 weeks ago after demoing it. I've tried it a few times (probably about 5 hours worth) and found it good for getting waves and longboard style surfing, but I also found it very stiff - however I was demoing at the same time as the Naish Quad 9.6. It is a top board, still has good glide - but I'm just not a massive fan of the big rounded nose of the starboards.

I was contemplating get one myself but it just wasn't that different to my 11.6 and I felt I'd outgrow it within 3 months.

Hope this helps in some way!

I also wanted to downsize from my 11'2" starboard. I had a demo on the new 9'8" and found it really easy in terms of stability and paddle, to be honest not that different to the bigger board I was used to....I am 90kg.
I also was not a fan of the wider nose so didn't go for it but certainly for size you would be fine on a 9'8"

Are you gonna buy that 10,5 in Tims shop elbau or has that been snapped up?
W

Na I was off in the desert workin.
I think "cranky" had some nice ones out at Mr chompys though.
We do get some great SUPn weather here but there are some long periods of crap in between.
Im sort of thinkin the 10ft whopper might be the go around here.The extra stability from the 34" width might get me out in the more marginal conditions that are just no fun on the 10'6 Naish.
Cranky and me both cant get our heads around paddlin the shorter boards the boys on the East coast ride way out there. Cant imagine it would be a lot of fun out at Mr chompys with a bit of wind on a 9'3" PSH(especially paddlin in if the easterly comes up a bit)
Ah well enjoy the East coast Elbeau it was good ta meet ya.
W