Welcome to the Breeze..

IMO you need something like the Naish 10'6" Nalu.. You will be able to buy one with a very good paddle for about $2000..

You should try and demo one before you buy if you can.. If you don't have any luck finding one to demo you are welcome to try mine.

The best shops to check out in Melbourne are RPS in Elwood.. SHQ in Sandringham.. the Zu in St Kilda... and also SUP Republic at St Kilda..

Shame you missed the big Naish demo day yesterday at Green Point near Brighton.. Oh yeah.. No need for wax or slip matt..

DJ

E T said..

I reckon that you just cut and pasted that answer DJ>

ET.

Great idea..

DJ

I am a beginner as well, and have been researching SUP's for the last 3 months (obsessively). I have had the opportunity to hop on about 7 or 8 boards so far as well as purchasing a second-hand board. So keep in mind that most of my knowledge is theoretical from extensive reading and questions asked. I do not claim to have any great experience. If you look at the history of posts and general knowledge going around, DJ's advice is not to be dismissed. I would only add to consider the Fanatic line, especially the Allwaves. I tried out the 9'10 Allwave yesterday and loved it. Granted, I am 6'4 and 114kg so what works for me will be different for you, but I found even at my weight, that board was very stable. Definitely try out as many boards as you can, it really helps.

I also have the Naish Makani 8" adjustable paddle. It may just be me but my lower hand sits right on the clasp and the little notch to open up the clasp digs in to my hand. I know of another guy with the same paddle who is quite a bit shorter than me who doesn't have any worries with it. Just putting it out there as a consideration.

Another bit of good-to-know information: The SUP community is pretty cool and happy to help out. If you find a board you're interested in and someone nearby has it, you'll most likely get an invite to try it out (as already offered by DJ).

Jacqui,

I am your height and weigh 75 kgs.
I had the same requirements as you for my first board, live in s/e Melbourne, so have the same conditions as you in which to paddle.

I chose a Nalu 10'6" GT, and I love it. Will never sell it.

Mind you I now have 2 other boards (all acquired this year...), so if you're like the rest of us you'd better make room for at least one more board...

Also consider board weight and the logistics of getting it on and off your car. An extra 2 kg's can be significant when loading / unloading. Could be the difference between "I'm going for a paddle...woohoo!" to "ugh, I have to lift that thing on and off the car to go for a paddle".
The Nalu is light enough not to be a problem.

Go the Nalu - you can't go wrong.

And spend a decent amount on a paddle - once you've had to lift it up and over the board 300 times on a paddle session you'll realise why the lighter (and more expensive ones) are worth it.

My wife and I both had adjustable paddles, you only use them if you are constantly swapping paddles with someone smaller, not to mention it being heavier while paddling because of he water you've collected. Unless your trying to collect samples.

I've a starboard adjustable and fanatic fixed carbon, and my wife has a naish adjustable. We pretty much only surf on them, so coming off a wave or diving under it just picks up water every time, plus constantly opening the lock to remove water makes the screw loosen so I've got to keep tightening the screw. They're ok for flat water, just a bit of a pain in the surf....

Hoogie said..

I've a starboard adjustable and fanatic fixed carbon, and my wife has a naish adjustable. We pretty much only surf on them, so coming off a wave or diving under it just picks up water every time, plus constantly opening the lock to remove water makes the screw loosen so I've got to keep tightening the screw. They're ok for flat water, just a bit of a pain in the surf....

True! Just thinking of the flat water. Then getting a fixed handle when she's surfing more.. I was just being a scab1