All right everyone, let's open it up.

For a 40year old life long surfer/sailer/kiter who weighs in at a pretty fit 100kg, what would be the best SUP for me to buy? I don't mind doing it a bit tough to start with as I'm sure one board only means a bit of a compromise, but I want a board that's easy to learn on but will still ride waves. I've always been a fan of Naish and Star Boards for wave sailing.

PSH ?

Check out the 9'8" 7S Uber Fish. Small, floaty and maneuverable. Reasonably priced and very tough.

PSH ?

I think every board mentioned will be way, way to small for a 100kg learner, no matter how good a surfer you are
Maybe the 11 4" naish or the 11 6" kalama (great for surfing & learning).
Or if your really keen the smallest I would go would be the 11 2 " starboard (great board).
Remember the guy is a beginner, he wouldnt even be able to paddle most of those boards

Hey Brooko looks like i have sold My Kalama , im thinking im going to regret it its a real fun board.Do you take yours out much,

Indo tubes said...

Thanks Brooko, sounds good to me are any of these boards quads?

Hey INDO TUBES, all the PSH boards are THRUSTERS.

In terms of sizing here is my thoughts specific to Paddle Surf Hawaii (PSH) boards-
There is a new breed of boards out there that allow you to ride 6-12" shorter than what has been considered to be the best length. If really want to surf the board, then length is very important.

I struggled (at 90kg) to drop down from my 10'6 AR (Teatree's board) until I rode the 9'6 wide AR (All rounder). This board has incredible stability, but I would not recommend it as a first board.

At 100kg the 10'6 wide AR has the stability of an 11'6 with all the benefits of a shorter board in the surf.

Hope this helps

Andrew Allen
Paddle Surf Hawaii

oliver said...

Brooko said...

I think every board mentioned will be way, way to small for a 100kg learner, no matter how good a surfer you are
Maybe the 11 4" naish or the 11 6" kalama (great for surfing & learning).
Or if your really keen the smallest I would go would be the 11 2 " starboard (great board).
Remember the guy is a beginner, he wouldnt even be able to paddle most of those boards

I'm with Brooko, I couldn't imagine starting on anything smaller than an 11'. Learn on something a bit easier and sell it when you feel the need to get something smaller.

The PSH 9'6" WIDE (Paddle Surf Hawaii) is as stable as anything out there and once you get it going turns amazing in the surf. I stick by my original post, Indo Tubes, if you go much bigger than say 10' or 10'6" max you will out grow it and if you only want the one board you end up have to update.

Starboards are also bringing out some great wider/shorter boards in the next couple months worth checking out.

Hope this helps....epic board !!

Indo, You may find it difficult to demo a psh around Perth. I've seen one down Gracetown. I have the starboard 11'2'' which I love. I've also tried the 10'5'' which was great also. I'm hoping to get out for a paddle over the weekend if you want to have a go. Either first thing tomorrow or sunday am.

Probably metts ot Tom's. If you ride a short board as well, is a sup to be an as well as or instead of? If its as well you want something to get you out when you won't be surfing so perhaps slightly bigger would be better. I reckon a jl 10'4'', starboard 10'5'' or 11'2'' all these boards are available locally and used by blokes that sup around these northern metro beaches.

you in Perth Indo?????

if ur going todo most of your paddling here, dont go less than 10,,,

best to go 10 n half upwards

Will stick by my original post as well, under 11 ft is no joy for 99 % of your beginners out there I have seen it before, gun surfer blah , blah can do this and do that , they get on my 9 6 " naish (which by the way is more stable than most small boards) and can hardly stand, do your self a favour brother and get something over 11 ft to start on, otherwise your love affair with sup will wear thin real quick

What board is best for you depends on what you are going to use it for.

Do you want to be able to paddle distance/go exploring..take kids or pets on board..do down winders..or to be able to teach friends/wife/or kids to do it.?

If yes..you need a bigger board like the Naish 11'6"/Naish 11'4"..11'6" Kalama or 11' NSP..11'2" 12' or 12'6" Starboard..maybe a 10'10" Walden..and I'm sure there's more.

All these boards surf well and I think the biggest mistake you can make is to go too small.. It's not about 'the smaller the better'..IMO.

Unless you just want it for waves and the best wave performance that you can get.. Then maybe look at the smaller boards.

I think 'easy to learn on' is better than 'doing it a bit tough to start with'.. .. You need to demo some boards before you buy.

DJ

Hi indo tubes,Iam like you ,new to SUPing ,I asked the same questions as you have,I wanted a all round board,I went with the Naish 11.4.It's great for flat water,after a month I started hitting the surf on those small and bigger fat crappy day's and it surfs like a longboard.It's great,when the surfs crap it gives me another option. By the sound of things your about the same weight as I am.
As the guy's are saying,go bigger,I've surfed all my life and tried the Naish 9.6,just to hard to start on,so I am wrapped I went with the 11.4 Down the track I might go for a PSH 10.6 wide,I think it would surf really well for a bigger guy

that's my 2cents

mac

I believe that it depends if u want to just surf it or go on the flatwater or both like DJ said.

And also how much money you have got to spend on the sport.

I started on a 12 footer and then bought a 10 footer and now im on a 8'9 and wanting to go smaller.

I've been supping for about 1 year and half now i think. so thats a new board evey six months.

One of the guys I sup with has gone through the whole Naish range as they came out. 11'6, 10'6, 9'6 now his on the 9'3

I reckon u should go for the PSH 10'6 wide if ur wanting to do both, i had a go of one and they are so stable and they would surf alright.

Or like Bnacca's said go the PSH 9'6 wide if u just want to surf because it is super stable.

But then again it looks like u will be surfing pretty fat waves.

So the PSH 10'6 wide would be the go.