Hi Mel

you are small 45 kgs

You could pretty much start on any board

My recommendations for a newbie board that does a bit of surfing/casual paddling/family and friends paddling are:

Jimmy Lewis 10'8 (? think that is the size)
Starboard (for you probably the 10'5 drive the 11'2 may be too big)
Naish Nalu (again 11'6 may be too big so maybe around the 10'5 mark)
PSH (Paddle Surf Hawaii)
Bonga Perkins 10 footer (Surf4fun has one for sale)

Those are boards I have tried and are readily available in WA.

If you dont know if you are going to be more into surfing or casual paddling the 10'5 to 11'2 range of boards are your best bet to start on.

Good luck also demo demo demo any shop will let you try a board out if you are thinking of buying one.

cheers


Zimbo (Reagan)

Wow...you don't weigh much!! I've got a Bonga Perkins 10 foot & it is actually a good flat water board (I am ancient & reasonably weighty but enjoy the extra balance challenge of its narrowness). And it surfs good too ....probably more of a longboard feel to its behaviour in the surf.
Give one a whizz if you get a chance. For us heavier people it can be challenging to stand on in choppy conditions but for you it would probably be a breeze (pun intended sorry lol). Think they go quite cheap because are quite tippy for people that weigh heaps more than you do.
Most secondhanders have got chipped rails from paddle swipes but thats just a surface blemish issue....not a structural problem.
As one of the others said you are so small you could learn on anything....but you want a little length for flat water exercise

WelshDragon said...

Thanks everyone-really appreciated.

Will a 10' be too much hard work for long distance/downwinder etc ?

Do most of you have two boards?

Two boards hah some people on this forum have enough boards to open their own shops.

It all comes down to what you want to do more of. If you want more surf with some long distance paddling then 10'5 to 11'5 is your length to go.

If you want more distance paddling with a little bit of surf then 12'6 is your length.

But remember like the old saying goes jack of all trades master of none. A board that does a little bit of both will not be the best in one particular discipline.

From what you have said I would say that you want to do more paddling on the river/flat days with some downwinders as well. Surf once in while when conditions are suited to you

If this is correct try the 12'6 Cruiser from Starboard, 12.1 (?) Laird or 12' glide from Naish (this one has the least surfing capability of them all).

PS Demo the board first before you buy.

I have an 11'2 Blend (Starboard) and a 12'6 Pin Starboard (flatwater board) so yes would say most guys/girls here have at least 2 boards.

I started with the 11' then went to the more fitness flatwater racer and now want a 16 foot downwind board

good luck.