Thinking of purchasing a Starboard Airborne, I'm 87 kg & just concerned about the volume. Currently surfing a 9' x 28 1/2" custom board.

Hi Ali,

Having tried both the 30" and 31 1/2" versions and being 100 kg I felt that it was actually harder for me to paddle on the wider board. In fact, i feel that it's harder for me to paddle on either airbornes than on the 8'0 Pro, which goes against everything we believe and think we know about volume, width and stability.

Having thought a lot about this and about what I felt while paddling (the wider boards would "skim" in every directions except vertically) what I conclude is that if the volume of the board is inferior to the weight of water being dislocated (rider + board + paddle + wetsuit is bigger than board volume), then the board will obviously sink completely. Not to the bottom of the ocean, but just getting the whole board under water.

This means that there would be a "film" or "layer" of water on top of the board which would also offer resistance at the boards attempt to rise all the way to the surface, causing the board to skim underwater like I described it, making it feel really weird.
On the narrower board, this doesn't happen as much, so you just have to deal with with the normal tippyness, which at least feels normal!!!So I believe that it takes us back to the already old thing of trying out all the boards before buying, to see on which we feel a bit more natural.
Specially on these boards that have similar volumes.

I've got the 31.5 Airborn for the crappy on-shore beach break windy conditions I often surf in. In small waves even at my weight of 68kg 150lbs it is heaps of fun. Also have a 7'7 x 27 for cleaner days.

Think the Airborn needs a slightly different way of thinking, its not just about going as narrow as possible, the shorter length and greater width combined with fine rails gives it a super curved outline that turns fast and effortlessly.

Have a look at the videos of Colas surfing on a short wide Gong Sup, gives you a really good idea of the way these boards can perform.

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Some-fun-waves-in-Hossegor/

To get a similar 'feel' to the 9' x 28.5 custom you currently have the 8 x 28 Pro would be my pick as well. Awesome board, almost as good as the 7'7

Hi all, thanks for the feedback, always good to hear others ideas. Think Ill chase around for a demo board & see how I go. Sounds like the ideal board for summer mush in SA.