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Thanks JB and Laurie for creating this new forum

yeah SUP is good, i'm in the water pretty much everyday (unless it's windy for windsurfing) ; since it tried it i havn't been surfing
and 90% of my SUP session are in boardshorts, it's not as cold as surfing ; i already paddled waves from a glassy knee high to a over head onshore wind and i enjoyed it everytime (when sometimes the waves weren't suitable for surfing and i was alone at the line up)

The board i ride is the mistral pacifico, not by choice but because that the only one i have access to ; it's actually a pretty nice board, easy to paddle in straight line, funny to use with a sail but nose and tail are too thick for me (I' m 72kg) ; i've tried the starboard one, it's much better surfing, but it's harder to keep your balance in the on shore wind or go over the foams ;
My one board would be a mix of those two

Greenroom,

I am pleased to hear you have opened your opinion about SUP.

There are a number of stores in WA that are planning to stock SUP boards if they do not already. I hope I don't leave anyone out here,

Wind Force water sports, Airborne Kitesurfing, Scarborough Longboards, Second Wind, S.O.S, Sail West, and I am sure there is more. Many of these stores already have some SUP boards in stock, and the rest will be getting more around Mid-August.

The base lengths for the beginner to intermediate boards (what we are all riding now) is 11' - 12' (the Naish and Mistral are 11'6") You want to be sure to get a board wider than 28", close to 30" is best while starting out. Most good SUP boards seem to be around the $1700 - $2000 mark including a paddle.

Hitting the rail is avoidable with a little training, Most of the production SUP board can handle a little wack from time to time with no signs of damage. But you will find you won't hit the rail very often if you take some advise and learn the paddling skill first.

Once your skills advance you can paddle on one side for quite some time, but it is definately easier to alternate every 5-10 or so paddles.

Kick turns and reverse paddling is something you will learn quite quickly, like everything, practice makes perfect. You will be amazed at the manouverability of these boards once you work them out. It is a fast learning curve to. If you have a general surfing background and understand boards and balance, you will pick it up very quickly. The only thing that will hold you back is your fitness, it kicks even the fittest guys arse the first few times. Sup works all the supporting and core muscle groups, a group of muscles that most people aren't as strong in as they think!

I suggest you check out a few models, see what shines to your liking. My personal board is the NAISH 11'6", and I haven't found a board to out perform it yet in all catagories, Surfing, Sailing, easy paddling.

All the best,

Regards,

JB

Cool thanks fellas.
I spoke to a little birdie... how was crazy waves Eric?
I stayed local and couldnt even hang onto my 4.2m