Anyone a guru's on the JL range?. A simple run down on the pro's and con's for each board perhaps.
My intentions are to ride 50% waves 50% Flat. I have a surfing background so don't want to start with a beginners board, I'm 95-100kg rider depending on time of year.
My only experience has been on a 12'6 starboard, which was very much a beginner board and felt like a boat. I don't think it would handle well in the waves.
Any paddle advice would be appreciated. Do paddles change for suping in waves opposed to flat?
Cheers in Advance
HI Sammy J,
The 10'8" would be the best board for you to think about. The JL range has been designed that even the bigger boards surf and perform well. The 10'8" is pretty much a scaled up 10'0" and as a result surf very well particularly for bigger guys.
If only surfing was the goal then maybe you could push yourself to look at the 10'4" but I think in your case you'd compromise your flat water paddling too much for not too much gain in the surf. Also getting use these boards in the surf is quite different to flat water sessions.
You shouldn't need too worry about differences in paddles between flat water and surf. In general surf paddles will be a bit shorter to help get the quicker acceleration you want when paddling for waves or trying to accelerate between them and over them.
If you get the chance though it's always a good idea to try out a couple of different styles, models and lengths as you can feel the difference.
Have a look at the board showcase on kenalu.com/ they have reviews on most of the Jimmy Lewis boards. I am 100kg have been SUPing for about 8 months on a Naish 11'6", no surfing background. I recently paddled a JL 10'8" Surf on flat water and I could possibly surf one now, but it would of been too small for me to start on. I also tried the 11'2" Starboard and think you could probably start with that, Kenalu has a review and so does Starboard on their SUP forum www.star-board.com/.
I use the same paddle for surf and flat water, cut to flat water length. Some people like to have a surf paddle a couple of inches shorter. I have a Werner paddle and I love it, it is light and strong. The only other paddle I have tried is the cheap Naish, I couldn't recommend it, it's very heavy, probably too short and won't be strong enough for you in the surf.
I don't know much about JL boards..I hope a shop in Melbourne starts selling them so I can check them out.
My only advise is.."Don't go too small"..It's not a shorter is better thing..IMO..I would't go less than 11" x 28"..but that's me..
Make sure you demo whatever you buy because what looks huge in the shop can feel small out on the water..and use it in chop..It's no good testing on glass.
Don't get anything too challenging and thinking you'll get used to it and develop your SUP skills..unless you like to have less fun and more frustration..
DJ
I have the JL 10'4" and love it in the surf, which is what I prefer to do. If you are from a surfing background I know you will get a bigger buzz surfing the thing than flatwater paddling. You will alway have to compromise a little on one or the other.
The 10'4" flat water paddles ok however the bigger boards will obviously be better. I would also recomend the 10'8" for your weight as I weigh 85kg.
If you get the JL buy some rail savers for it as it does chip quite easily.
Hope this helps
Cheers
Simon
I agree with your comments DJ but the JL 11' is 31" wide and not very progressive in it's surfing. The JL 10'8" is actually 29" wide making it pretty darn stable for a nice surfing board but if you can try to get a paddle of it first as you'll be impressed.
Howdy, I have the 10' JL and weigh 70kg, I think the 10'8" would be the way to go because like sam says the 11' is wider and you dont want that in the surf. Ive paddled the board extensively on flat water and in the surf and while not as corky as some of the other boards i feel theyre a good all rounder for someone who wants to surf more aggressively
Thanks gents, that narrows it down for me. I might get in touch with choice kiteboarding to see what's available to demo.
Any other WA shop owners out there have JL's for demo???
Your about the same size as me & also from a surfing background. I think as surfers we pick this up quicker than most. I just brought the 11 6" southpoint and will be using it for 90% surf 10% flat. My mate who is also from surfing background got the 11 6" jimmy lewis and after having it a month wishes he had got the smaller board, he is now going to sell it and get a board in the 10 foot range. Im going to keep the 11 6" & when i get better give it to my wife and i will get a smaller one.
interested to know how u go sammy if u get one.....i'm thinking of getting a more surfy sup,,,currently the pround owner of a naish 11'6 but she's a bit stiff in the waves....
like the starboards 11'2's and that jl10'8 ......................also the small starboard / naish fish's but i'll probably be on my arse all the time with one of those.
i have the jl11 and it's been great to learn on but you quickly outgrow it. i thought the jl10-8 would be too tippy for me (i have balance issues) so for my next board i went with the starboard 11-2. it's a bit longer than the jl11 and 1" narrower, at 30", but the shape is completely different and it rides like a *much* shorter board. the jl11 has very little rocker; the *board has a good bit of it. the jl11 has a fat outline; the *board is pulled in toward the rear, making it a good turner. plus, the *board has some concave in the nose, good for noseriding. anyway, i know you're not interested in the jl11, but if you want something that's maybe b/ the 11 and the jl10-8, the *board 11-2 is not a bad way to go, i don't think.
Hey Windy since you like your naish have you thought about waiting until the 11'4'' comes out. I've read that it's the perfect in between board of the 11'6'' and 10'6'' and handles really well in the surf. I myself can't wait to try one just to compare.
Here's a couple of rail shots of the 11'4" proto. The shape won't change when the new stock gets here.
Think of the 11'4" more of a big Naish 10'6" rather than a tweeked 11'6". Rails are quite a bit more tapered and thinned out than on the 11'6" giving it more bite and speed than the 11'6".
Cheers,
Sam.
Yeah that board looks so much better. Looks real surfy.
So has Naish ironed out the soft spots with the current boards?
Every Naish I have seen have ended up with big dents in the paddle position
both my naish boards have sunk in the paddle feet position more so the 10'6 it has impressions even where i stand to surf back foot more so
im not worried at all
Had a nice little session on it a couple of weeks ago and was impressed by the looseness of a relatively big board. To me it felt about as stable as the 11'6" but much snappier both on a wave and also in low speed turns. It's the best surfing big board I've used so far.
The best way to think of of the 11'4" is as a scaled up 10'6". The rail structure and thickness flow are very similar and as a result it will offer much more high end performance for your surfing.
About the only time I'd say the 11'6" may offer more would be for the guys who are new paddlers weighing in at over 100kg. I've got a couple of bigger customers that I'll try to test that out with in the next week or so.
I doubt I'll get another paddle on it in the short term as while JB lets me borrow his 9'6" I'll be on that any chance I get.
Cheers,
Sam.
Hey JB when sam has finished with your 9'6 how about sending up to the Goldy for a few weeks.................. ILL LOOK AFTER IT
lol
Marty
I rekon the 10'8" JL would be fine for your weight. I rode a JL10 at 90kg as my second board as it was fine. If your keen to surf waves mainly, go as small as possible. Last thing you want is to have to upgrade in 3 months. If you are looking to buy a board to go cruising also, go a bit longer. As far a comparisons between Naish and Jimmy Lewis, the JL constuction will last longer. The Naish paint is probally less susceptable to chipping but I am fearfull the Naish timber laminate decks will not last many years and the signs are there that de-lamination will be an issue. This is evident in a board I have that has only been used a half a dozen times. Dark spots are appearing. Automotive stone guard applyed to the rails is recommended what ever brand you choose and even tape you paddle will do the job.
Regards,
Scott
