Hello all, I'm relatively new to both the world of SUP'ing & to this forum & I'm completely hooked on the sport & I really appreciate reading all of your valuable comments.

My current board is a 10'6x32"x150l longboard style SUP which I love & I'm going to hang on to however I would also like to get a 2nd more surf orientated board (anything <30" wide around the 9'0 mark). I weigh approx. 85-90kg (depending on the season) & I've spent quite a bit of time (granted, in small surf) on my partners 9'6x30"x140l board which I feel relatively stable on.

My 2 preferences are either the JP Surf Pro 8'10x30"x126l or the Hokua GT 9'0x28.75"x125l although I'm worried this might be too much of a big jump? I'm also happy to consider either the JP Surf Pro 9'2x30"x136l or the Hokua GT 9'5x29.5"x140l. My key objective is to get a board which I can grow into (I'm happy to do the hard yards & take a few dips) + hang on to for a number of years to come.

From what I've read, the JP Surf range of baords are regarded as slightly more stable vs the Hokua GT range however there shouldn't be too much difference in terms of performance? Possibly it just comes down to asthetics/price & overall preference? Any wise words of wisdom would be apprecaited, even if you recommend other similar boards which possibly I haven't considered. Cheers

Grenfell said..
I had the same dilemma last year and same weight as you. Got an 8'8 JP wide body as my first step down board. It was a very easy transition from my Nalu (which I have kept). Make things as easy as possible to keep enjoying your time on the water..... I'm only now looking to step down again.... bring on the Slate!

Thanks Grenfell....comments taken onboard about the path of least resistance....will read up on the Slate.

Loz79 said..

Grenfell said..
I had the same dilemma last year and same weight as you. Got an 8'8 JP wide body as my first step down board. It was a very easy transition from my Nalu (which I have kept). Make things as easy as possible to keep enjoying your time on the water..... I'm only now looking to step down again.... bring on the Slate!

Hi, I did a similar transition last year. I went from a 10'5 x 32 down to an 8'2 JP widebody. Took prob 8-12 sessions for me to be comfortable with it. very happy with board, I went the extra width due to lack of glassy days where I surf 90% of the time even though at my weight I could have gone a fair bit smaller/narrower ( I'm 75 kg)... The new jp 8'5 x 30 came out a couple of months after my purchase and I would def have looked at this had it have been available at the time...Lots of people say demo demo demo but IMO it's hard to when dropping down so far as it takes several hours to become comfortable..

Thanks Loz79 - the plan is to demo but as you say, trialling in the right conditions is a challenge + there's a LOT of room for improvement with my skill level....will let you know how I get on.

SurfFX said..
The JP 8'10 is way more stable than the 9'0 Naish. Im the same size and the 9'0 is on par with the JP 8'6 in stability.
The 9'5 Hokua is a nice fast board but I find the JP better suited to our waves. If you can paddle the JP 9'2 then you can paddle the 8'10 but they do surf differently. The 9'2 does a deeper mal like carve, where as the 8'10 has a slashy, more short board feel. As Grenfell said, going to a shorter wide style board can be a more comfortable step.
Cheers
Jon

Very helpful feedback thanks Jon.

warwickl said..
Hi I am 76 kg aged SUPER and have had 9, 87 Hokua plus 10 6 Nalu GT (keeping this one but in cotton wool) nice boards and surf great but due to quality looked elsewhere.
Now have a 2013 JP 8 2 wide Pro (bought second hand) and my favourite board for 80% of my surfing conditions used it for well over a year and no construction issues. 6 months ago bought the 2014 8 10 JP pro new surf fantastic board in most surf but the 8 2 covers a wider range of surf.
My quiver of the 8 2 and 8 10 JP plus the 10 6 Naish Nalu are now my keepers.

Hi I too have the 8'2 jp pro and am similar weight, what fins are u running??, what size surf do you surf it up to?, I've found mine gets a bit skatey around the 4/5 foot mark...

I've owned all these boards. I'm a bit heavier than you (100) but my pick would be the 9'2" JP. IMO for a stepping stone, it is the logical choice. Its stable, paddles like a longer board so gets you in nice and early, and it rips as hard as you can push it. The 9'0" Hokua is a very tippy board. Great to surf, but is a constant battle in the lineup. The 9'5" is great again, stable but a bit heavy if you're trying to transition to true short board style SUP. Go the 9'2"... In a few months at your weight you could be looking at the 8'6" or even 8'2" JP.

Zeusman said..
I've owned all these boards. I'm a bit heavier than you (100) but my pick would be the 9'2" JP. IMO for a stepping stone, it is the logical choice. Its stable, paddles like a longer board so gets you in nice and early, and it rips as hard as you can push it. The 9'0" Hokua is a very tippy board. Great to surf, but is a constant battle in the lineup. The 9'5" is great again, stable but a bit heavy if you're trying to transition to true short board style SUP. Go the 9'2"... In a few months at your weight you could be looking at the 8'6" or even 8'2" JP.

Cheers Zeusman - I think you're bang on the money. As per my previous comment, I demo'd the JP 9'2 yesterday & I think it offers me plenty board to grow into. Getting in early is important so I'm glad you mentioned that. I would consider the shorter JP boards but I'm getting a sweet deal on last years model & they only have a 9'2 in stock which kind of makes the decision for me.

Loz79 said..

warwickl said..
Hi I am 76 kg aged SUPER and have had 9, 87 Hokua plus 10 6 Nalu GT (keeping this one but in cotton wool) nice boards and surf great but due to quality looked elsewhere.
Now have a 2013 JP 8 2 wide Pro (bought second hand) and my favourite board for 80% of my surfing conditions used it for well over a year and no construction issues. 6 months ago bought the 2014 8 10 JP pro new surf fantastic board in most surf but the 8 2 covers a wider range of surf.
My quiver of the 8 2 and 8 10 JP plus the 10 6 Naish Nalu are now my keepers.

Hi I too have the 8'2 jp pro and am similar weight, what fins are u running??, what size surf do you surf it up to?, I've found mine gets a bit skatey around the 4/5 foot mark...

Have either of you found the dark grey JP Pro design boards get really hot in the sun? It was 26C yesterday & I literally left the board on the racks for <5min to grab a coffee & it was noticably hotter vs my matte finished 10'6. Obviously 1st prize is to never leave boards in the sun but it's easier said than done.

SUPing said..

Zeusman said..
I've owned all these boards. I'm a bit heavier than you (100) but my pick would be the 9'2" JP. IMO for a stepping stone, it is the logical choice. Its stable, paddles like a longer board so gets you in nice and early, and it rips as hard as you can push it. The 9'0" Hokua is a very tippy board. Great to surf, but is a constant battle in the lineup. The 9'5" is great again, stable but a bit heavy if you're trying to transition to true short board style SUP. Go the 9'2"... In a few months at your weight you could be looking at the 8'6" or even 8'2" JP.

Cheers Zeusman - I think you're bang on the money. As per my previous comment, I demo'd the JP 9'2 yesterday & I think it offers me plenty board to grow into. Getting in early is important so I'm glad you mentioned that. I would consider the shorter JP boards but I'm getting a sweet deal on last years model & they only have a 9'2 in stock which kind of makes the decision for me.

Hey Zeusman - I took the plunge & bought last years JP 9'2 Pro & although I haven't had a chance to test her our properly yet, from the little riding I've done - I'm stoked! Quick question, would you recommend changing the fins (if so, any feedback would be appreciated) or do you reckon the factory fins are fine while I'm still learning the ropes? Cheers

Zeusman said..

SUPing said...

SUPing said..

Zeusman said..
I've owned all these boards. I'm a bit heavier than you (100) but my pick would be the 9'2" JP. IMO for a stepping stone, it is the logical choice. Its stable, paddles like a longer board so gets you in nice and early, and it rips as hard as you can push it. The 9'0" Hokua is a very tippy board. Great to surf, but is a constant battle in the lineup. The 9'5" is great again, stable but a bit heavy if you're trying to transition to true short board style SUP. Go the 9'2"... In a few months at your weight you could be looking at the 8'6" or even 8'2" JP.

Cheers Zeusman - I think you're bang on the money. As per my previous comment, I demo'd the JP 9'2 yesterday & I think it offers me plenty board to grow into. Getting in early is important so I'm glad you mentioned that. I would consider the shorter JP boards but I'm getting a sweet deal on last years model & they only have a 9'2 in stock which kind of makes the decision for me.

Hey Zeusman - I took the plunge & bought last years JP 9'2 Pro & although I haven't had a chance to test her our properly yet, from the little riding I've done - I'm stoked! Quick question, would you recommend changing the fins (if so, any feedback would be appreciated) or do you reckon the factory fins are fine while I'm still learning the ropes? Cheers

Factory find are rubbish. I had a set of shapers SMFL in mine. Maybe get the shapers s9 set. Can't go wrong with them on a sup

Thanks mate - will look into it.

Baysup said..
The Shapers S9 are great in this board
i have just purchased another JP Surf and the standard side fins supplied are an upgrade on last year.
You may only decide to replace the centre fin

Thanks bud. I've currently got Laird Thruster 2+1 (5.93" centre & 4.78" side) fins setup on my 10'6x32" Laird Surfer which seems to work well. I also bought a single Gerry Lopez 35.2 large ocean SUP fin (9") & the idea was to use this on my Laird Surfer for flat water paddling. Would this work as a centre fin on my JP or do you recommend that I use the smaller Laird Thruster centre fin (which I think is roughly the same size as the S9 centre fin?) on my JP & I can use the Gerry Lopez fin in conjunction with the Laird Thruster side fins on my Laird? I presume the large Gerry Lopez fin will make my JP board too stiff. Any pointers would be appreciated. Cheers.

SUPing said..

SUPing said..

Baysup said..
The Shapers S9 are great in this board
i have just purchased another JP Surf and the standard side fins supplied are an upgrade on last year.
You may only decide to replace the centre fin

Thanks bud. I've currently got Laird Thruster 2+1 (5.93" centre & 4.78" side) fins setup on my 10'6x32" Laird Surfer which seems to work well. I also bought a single Gerry Lopez 35.2 large ocean SUP fin (9") & the idea was to use this on my Laird Surfer for flat water paddling. Would this work as a centre fin on my JP or do you recommend that I use the smaller Laird Thruster centre fin (which I think is roughly the same size as the S9 centre fin?) on my JP & I can use the Gerry Lopez fin in conjunction with the Laird Thruster side fins on my Laird? I presume the large Gerry Lopez fin will make my JP board too stiff. Any pointers would be appreciated. Cheers.

On 2nd thoughts...I should probably just buy the Shapers S9

Yep

Thanks for the heads-up however I've already pulled the trigger on a '14 Surf Pro 9'2 which I got for a great price along with a set of S9 fins. This offers me plenty board to grow into & I'll save your feedback whereby an 8'8 widebody (or even smaller) could be a nice option further down the line

I reckon just behind the half way point, up to 3/4 back will be the place to start

Use a straight edge to draw a line across from the back of one side fin to the other. Then measure from that line straight down your fin box 7 9/16 inches. Mark that spot and insert your center fin so that the back of the fin is on tht spot.

No worries. Other measurements to try are 6 11/16 and 8 9/16. These measurements were worked out by Ben Lexcen back in the day.