Hi all
In Perth and down the south west in the last two weeks I have been introduced to this sport by my 60 y.o. (fanatic) uncle who has a quiver of 4.
I have been in the fortunate position to try an 11' Jimmy Lewis, a 10'8" JL a 10'4" JL (all "surf" shapes) and a Naish 9'6".
Unfortunately, due to conditions (and incompetence), I haven't had much wave action yet (one or two at Mettams and one or two at South Cott) but I have had the 10'8" out in some nasty chop/howling wind and didn't spend TOO much time in the drink...seemed about the right size after a week on the 11'.
I am keen on the Naish 10'6" but I'm also open to suggestions on retailers and boards. PM me if you like.
Last year's model or 2nd hand is good for me but if I must I'll fork out the green if I must buy new (it is a new sport in Aus after all...)
I have been told that the JL and Naish and Starboard are good - Oxbow too but too short at 10' and too long at 11'
Do many of you windsurf on your boards? I love the idea that Naish and Starboard provide that option - but is it practical?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Over the past 10 days I must have spent 17 hours on various SUPs! can you say hooked?
Would recommend the JL 10 8 fantastic board. Only downside is it chips easily compared to some others. Cannot beat them in the waves but the PSH ones look the goods too. Not in WA which is a pity.
Yes I must admit his quiver is a bit worse for wear due to dingage...
who sells PSH?
that Naish is Beeeaautifullll to look at. (handle and sail option nice too...)
I dont think you will like the 10 6" naish, it is not very good for beginners!
Maybe the bigger jimmy would suit you better.
I have the starboard 11'2'' which is bigger than you mentioned but if you want to try to compare you are more than welcome. I tried the starboard 11'5'' which was really nice nut if your uncle has 4, that is just greedy. If he was a good and decent uncle he would give you one of his.
Starboard 11'2" with a 5ish sail in light wind is great fun in waves, you can get out over walls of whitewater and have a blast catching and riding waves. Doesn't really ever plane properly but still heaps of fun, just need the biggest wave fin you can find.
Forget the windsurf option pretty average I would say, rocker should be for surfing so too slow.
I have a Starboard 9 8 as well the wife likes the handle but I do not use it easier to carry on your shoulder. JL sh1ts on it in the surf small and big.
Pm AA he does PSH I think.
Thanks guys
Hey Brooko - what's up with the 10'6' Naish? What qualities does it have that make it less user friendly for a newbie than, say, a JL 10'8"? With an extra inch in the guts over the JL (3" vs 4 3/4") and 2" shorter I guessed it would float me the same but turn faster? But what do I know?
I will be more tuned in when I get a good run on the 10'4" JL next month and hopefully get some waves and some knowledge from that time.
Hilly which JL are you comparing the Naish 9'6" to?
akhawk I know you were joking but in my uncle's defense he now uses the quiver to push SUPs on unsuspecting newbies like a crack dealer and he now has a load of regular borrowers (users? junkies?).
Lucky me I get easy, free access to a board most of the time I'm home!
Yeah I meant 10'5''. Only tried it once but looks good. I was just joking about the greedy uncle but its handy being able to try out all those boards. There was a I reckon if I didn't have the 11'2'' I would seriously look at a JL. Everyone I know that has one loves it, when I've been down south its hard to find someone not on one. By the way I did meet a local down at Gracetown on a PSH so there is at least one around the place. Good luck and happy shopping.
I dont think hilly mentioned the 9 6" naish? This also would be no good for you untill you have mastered a bigger board. Have you tried a 10 6" naish? Meant to be pretty corky and tippy.
I have used the 11 2 " starboard and think it surfs great, one of my favourite big boards, its a longboard style of surfing. I have the 9 6" naish it is a great board, and surfs really well, my friends over in wa have jimmy's and love them, try them all out before you buy
Brooko is on it, Naish 9 6 looks nice if you are a feather weight beginner. Have never ridden one myself.
Thanks for the input everyone
Any word on the Oxbow 10'6" or a PSH? If anyone in Perth has one I'd like to hook up and swap boards for a few hours - I will have a JL 10'4".
If anyone has or knows of a 2nd hand board for sale let me know!
I've seen a bunch of crew (6 or 7) have there first ever paddle on the 10'6" Naish. They ranged from 50kgs up to over 90kgs and they all seem to have no problem with the stability. I had my first proper surf on a borrowed 10'6" Naish just inside Tweed river and it was that surf that got me hooked!!
They have been around for a while now so you might be able to pick one up 2nd hand.
Any guys shaping SUP in Australia?
Any links or reviews?
I'd like to keep the Rudd money in the country if possible
