Hey Cuttlefish, I don't think there are any of the 2011 Coast Runners in Oz, but why don't you give the guys at Auswind a call on Monday on 08 9244 4446. They will be able to tell you what is available.

Cost Runner looks good, lower rocker version of the Open Ocean, there is a long post about it on the Zone. I was actually going to get one instead of the Open Ocean but as I said there weren't any there - love the Open Ocean though, so all good!

www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=12149.0

Yeah that Open Ocean is a bloody good board. A significant evolution from last year's Elite Race 14. Why are you interested in the Coast Runner? What conditions do you paddle mostly?

Here's a quote from a thread that echoes what I'm after although I'm heavier, not interested in racing in the least and I've been paddling flatwater...Point 1 in bold is what I'm looking for as my No 1 priority though I'm happy to paddle in the river as well and so the tides make it difficult when having to paddle when they are running.

"My first and only board is a 10-foot-something, surf-oriented SUP. Most of my paddling has involved chasing waves.

Now, I want a board that puts more emphasis on the paddling side of the equation. I'm probably about 75kg.

I've read heaps of posts, but I'm still basically confused. It's unlikely I'll get to demo lots of boards.

So, I thought I could outline my perceived needs and see if anyone has suggestions.

1) I live by the ocean and will primarily use the board to bomb around the coast and near-shore islands; I have to paddle when I have time, not when it's necessarily a good time to paddle. So a key requirement is a versatile board that functions well in a variety of conditions, of which glassy flat water is among the less likely. Also, "go fast and go far" is relative to what I do now, which is not fast and not far at all.

2) Yes, I want to do downwinders, but I doubt I would do them exclusively or on the scale seen in Hawaii or S. Africa.

3) If I ever entered a race, I would be more interested in the swag bag and refreshments at the finish line than where I might place.

4) Being able to strap a bag to the board would be a bonus.

5) I will have a surf-dedicated board, so surf-ability is not a key concern. That said, I can't imagine not trying to ride anything resembling a wave, even if it's just unbroken swells off shore or the waves on the way back into shore.

I'm having trouble envisioning the practical differences between a 12'6" vs. a 14' or a planing vs. a displacement hull. Much less differentiating among the brands. I'm assuming the board would fall within the referenced length range and that I will have to choose between the latter two design types. My assumption could be wrong. Thanks in advance".

The replies to this were interesting.
www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=12226.0

I have had a short paddle on a Fanatic Fly 14' but not sold on it.

Hi Johnathan,
Thanks for your reply.
Dropped into the local shop that sells Starboards and they gave me a price on the coast runner $2290.
Strangely enough no price for the open ocean.
Didn't ask about the K15.
May be running into problems car topping and storing a board that long though.
The owner of the shop just happens to have a 12'6" race in the 31.5" width which has been paddled by him which he wants $1800 for so that one I can take for a paddle to see how it feels.
On a side note finally was able to convince my 2yr & 11 mth old son into standing up while hanging onto my legs (fully life jacket equipped) and coming for a paddle on my 11'4" in the river.
His toy dinosaur he took with him wasn't scared either.
He loved it and so I reckon I'll have a willing little passenger from now on.