So I've been to a few shops yesterday and today and chatting to the sup specialists.

What I learnt from today's experience is that from my windsurfing background volume isn't as important as board shape.

I weigh 115kg and have been offered today boards ranging from 140litres to 180litres we'll under the formula I have read about of your body weight in kg plus 100litres.


What size length width and volume boards are other heavy weights on? Just out of curiosity. Most of the boards I was looking at we're run out 2013 stock, just don't want something pushed on me that isn't suitable even if it's a good price.

Cheers

Mate when I was coming in at 120kg I was on a 9'5 Wide Point and that was 150 litres. I am now on a 8'10 Widepoint with about 146litres. A lot comes down to the level of experience you have in the surf and also what the shape of the board is like. I reckon the Wide Points are great cause they have big fat wide noses and I find them stupid stable. The final thing I would say is demo as many different boards, cause no matter what someone else tells you, its all about personal preference.

Looking at JP Widebody

What type of paddling do you intend to do? Flat water,Surf, fitness? This will also determine the shape/style of board you are looking at.

AndyRoo said..

Flat water to start then move to small perth metro waves.

115 kg isn't super heavy, there are plenty of boards out there that will carry you...but be aware that board behaviour and dynamics are different once you're much above 100kg. 70-80kg shop guys even with the best intentions don't speak from experience of it, you MUST demo and find out for yourself.

For a first board at your size, flat water cruising to first small waves START looking around 11-12 ft, 200 litres, 32-33" wide as a benchmark but do try a few either side of this, it's not just about volume and width...shape, rails and rocker will all have a bearing on a board's handling. When you get right into things, fins also make a difference, especially for heavyweights.

A few suggestions below - they will get you into first waves but still have decent glide and won't be slugs in flat water:

Fanatic Allround 11' or 11'6
Starboard Atlas or Big Easy
Surftech Laird 11'6 or 12'
Even the Naish 12' might be worth a look.

If you have more ambitions towards surf, look at:
9'10 Allwave
10' Naish Mana (hoping to try the new one today)
10'2 NSP
10'6 Fanatic Allround
10' Coreban EZ

Just to name a few, there are plenty of others around those parameters.

Demo demo demo. Just to illustrate the horses for courses thing , at 6'2 and in the mid-high 120s here's my quiver:

Starboard Atlas (my first board and a keeper) - small waves and flat water cruising, even the occasional race
9'10 Allwave (surf up to about shoulder height)
12'6 x 30" Red Air inflatable
Walk on Water 14 x 29" (298L) for downwinding
Naish Glide 17' x 26.75" 320L for distance
And
14 x 29" NSP/DC 293L for training/racing

Go forth and demo, don't be in a hurry. Feel free to PM, happy to share a few thoughts from the big end of town.

Looking at the JP wide body I would say it is more of a surf oriented board than cruising or flat water paddling board, but still able to paddle in the flat. If it is more flat water you are looking at a longer board would serve you better. Just comes down to what sort of breakdown of flat vs surf you think you will be doing.

Go see Reg @ windsurfing Perth and see if he has one for demo. He is your size and weight and will be able to give you good big fella advice.

Been for a drive to Cottesloe today and saw too many people enjoyingt he waves.

Waves are where I definitely want to end up. On top of them and not mashed under them that is.

HumanCartoon said..

AndyRoo said..

Thanks so much for the info, what I'm looking at it a jp Widebody 10x33.5 @180 litres.

Let me know how the mana goes today. Looking at those too.

Cheers

Didn't get on the mana today, unfortunately, the fetes* conspired against it.

I did however put a guy your size on my 9'10 Allwave, in some wind and moderate chop. He liked it a lot.




(Not a typo...I was required at my kid's school fete and missed the Naish demo)

How much board was still out of the water with him on it? That's 190 litres I think.

No-one has asked the other question. How tall are you? 115kgs and 5'6" is an awful lot different to 115kgs and 6'5".

Hmmm, "not fat just solid and broad shoulders" - can I use that line?

My first board was a 11'4" and around 210lts from memory - my next 9'8" custom about 150lts and although I've had a good surf on a 9'6" 125lt (albeit very tiring @ 6'2" &110kgs), the current board is 8'8" and about 140lts.

[edit] - The 8'8" is a custom on loan and although I have to give it back, at 29.5" wide and about 5.5" thick...it rips! I think I'll do some measurements of it before handing it back.

HumanCartoon said..

AndyRoo said..

HumanCartoon said..

AndyRoo said.. Thanks so much for the info, what I'm looking at it a jp Widebody 10x33.5 @180 litres. Let me know how the mana goes today. Looking at those too. Cheers

Didn't get on the mana today, unfortunately, the fetes* conspired against it. I did however put a guy your size on my 9'10 Allwave, in some wind and moderate chop. He liked it a lot. (Not a typo...I was required at my kid's school fete and missed the Naish demo)

How much board was still out of the water with him on it? That's 190 litres I think.

It floated him well. Conditions were a bit messy, upwards of 15 knots with some mixed up windswell and ship wake, I'd say he looked pretty comfortable, tail was up & trimmed nicely (the board's, I wasn't watching his ).

Hey guys,

That was me on the Allwave, and yes I really enjoyed it! It floated me quite well and I found it was a bit more stable that my 10'2 x 33" PSH. I was very surprised at how stable it was for only being 9'10. However, starting out and with very little surf expererience, I wouldn't consider that small of a board yet. I am 6'4 and 114kg, with very wobbly sea-legs. Andyroo, listen to Human Cartoons advice, weight is a factor, but height is just as important! It changes the centre of gravity dramatically which places a lot of emphasis on board shape. I was very close to purchasing an Avanti, but after some very thorough research, I went with the Fanatic Fly 11'6. Unfortunately, I am waiting for it to arrive so I can't give any feedback on it just yet. The point is to try out different boards to get a feel for what you like and be very wary from advice from people who are not in your size/weight bracket unless they have extensive experience.

Also as a friendly jab, be mindful of Leroy13's advice, he has the eternal optimism that everyone is as good on a board as he is. I had the pleasure of being out in the surf with him a couple weeks back and hip operation be damned, he was cruising along and catching wave with no problems!

I just watnt to thank everyone so far for they advice and comments.

Coming from an archery forum people are normally very stand off ish with newbies and just divert them to a dealer to kit them up.

All your advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm taking the plunge tomorrow while there are some deals left on 2013 boards.

It's down to the jp fusion 10'8 and the jp Widebody 10'

Checking them out in the morning.

Worst thing is won't be able to get out on whatever I buy until next Friday. Stupid work.