Due to a pending relocating to England for 1-2 years and wanting to get invloved with Europened SUP, I was forced with a predicament !!! having to buy a new SUP board before I went, as the problem in Europe is some airlines only take board under 9".

What to buy ......

After talking to a few crew in the industry, I spoke to Tully at Laguna Bay, explained my situation, my ability, type of surf and weight etc. He recommended a 8"6.

After 3 weeks of buyers remorse I rang Tully in a panic before delivery, concerned I had gone toooo short, and that there was not enough rocker etc. He told me to take delivery, and if I didnt like it he would work something out.

Bloody good service in todays world. !!!!!

Well last Friday I took delivery, and holy ****, this board is unreal. It paddles in well, it turns on a dime and comes off the top no problem.

I am 70kgs, but I friend was with me, who is 88kg, adn rode it, and also loved it.

Its a wrap for Laguna Bay, and an inisght in the new world of SUP, who would have a thought 2 years ago a SUP board would be shorter than a MAL. !!!That will shut the cranky old MAL riders up.


Happy to hear from anyone who knows any good SUP waves in England or Europe.

The board rides a short board, so responsive!




A couple more pics.

Great to hear good stories and positive feedback about some of the smaller less often spoken about brands that are obviously producing fantastic boards.

Very nice looking board, Gareth. Those Poms will be blown away!

Looks like Creatures are doing a new grip without the side steps - how does it feel?

When do you leave? Will I get a chance to try it before you go?

Casso said...


Looks like Creatures are doing a new grip without the side steps - how does it feel?

Casso, that looks like an O&E deck grip with a Creatures tail pad cut into the grip.

I can say I am very happy with my grip setup that is exactly the same.

Casso said...

Very nice looking board, Gareth. Those Poms will be blown away!

Looks like Creatures are doing a new grip without the side steps - how does it feel?

When do you leave? Will I get a chance to try it before you go?

It is Ceatures Grip, with a tail pad cut in. Lets hope there are some waves to blow the poms away. I prefere the grip without the side steps, so this works well.

Swell picking up Thursday - Friday, maybe the Kick.

log man said...

Gareth great looking board , but how the hell can you stand on anything that's 26.5 wide . Laguna bay must be doing something pretty special to make a 8/6 x 26.5 .

Hey Logman, I was freaking out going for the first surf, but the thing is stable, probably not a stable as the 9"3. It also punches throught the wash easily which is surpirising.

mollydooka said...

Garethg said...

log man said...

Gareth great looking board , but how the hell can you stand on anything that's 26.5 wide . Laguna bay must be doing something pretty special to make a 8/6 x 26.5 .

Gee Gareth, you must have been a tightrope-walker in a previous life. I only weigh 3kgs more than you, but I got off my extremely comfortable 30"-wide sup(9'8" long) onto a mate's 9'6" Laguna Bay, 28" wide; it was reasonably stable, but I spent a fair bit of time in the water on an offshore day, 2-3' surf.
Have you had it out in choppy/lumpy conditions?
Been considering smaller too, but unlike the well-heeled on the 'Breeze who have the bucks & space for quivers, yours truly has to make do with one.
How does it paddle? I found that the 9'6" PSH wide ripper was a fair bit harder to get onto a wave than the 9'8" Starboard. Even the 9'8" gives the left shoulder a workout.

havent taken it out in chop yet, tend to avoid the mush but have ridden in 2ft side shore, I would have thougt it would be tippy and slow to paddle in, but it was quick. I surfed with a mate who is 88kgs, and even he paddle the thing.

Optical illusion, it is only 7"