I would like to give SUP a go but as I live out in Geelong, SHQ etc are a bit far just to go try it out to see if I like it so here is my question:
Is it possible to use something like my 155l GO windsurf board to give me an idea of what SUP is all about or would I get the wrong impression totally?
I have never tried surfing but wouldnt mind being able to give small waves a go when there is no wind but also be able to paddle the flat water around where I live.
You can find demos at strappers torquay. They usually have some PSH and Southpoints there, and the staff are all tuned in with it.
Hello Ocean blue 64 ,
Call down to Strapper Surf and ask for Rich and i would be happy to give you a demo board and take you out for a lesson .
Contact us on 52 612312
Is that picture of Point Henry ???
Spent some time windsurfing there !
Rich
I am far from an expert, but here is my take on it.
It will be much wider and shorter than a SUP, with the Go being about 33.5inches wide. I'm sure it will give you some of the sensation, but remember that a Go is designed to be fast when plaining and will paddle like a bit of a brick.
I've SUP'ed on the Starboard Go and they work ok.. Much better than I expected.
You'd be much better on a big Kalama, Naish or NSP.. Go down to Strapper and see what demo boards that they have.
There's gotta be lotts'a good spots to SUP around Geelong.
DJ
Hi OB64,
I paddled a windsurfer one design and a Hi fly sailboard for 8 months before there were any SUP boards available in Victoria. They paddled just fine on the flat but surfed like a dead dog.
Dave
We started out on a couple of ancient old windsurf boards and home made paddles just to see if we liked the concept.
They were fine on the flat: they were actually only 28" wide so were a little less stable than a real SUP, but yes, in the waves they could only go in one direction - straight to the beach!!
They made the real SUPs seem easy once we got them. We had been on the old windsurfers for about two months before we got the real thing.
If you like SUPing on a windsurfer then you'll love doing it on a proper SUP board. It is so much better.
If you think it's just ok on a windsurfer then chances are you might like it on a SUP board (50/50)
If you hate it on a windsurfer then you need to try it on a proper SUP board.
We've had a guy out SUPing with us on his windsurfer (some old long skinny thing). He did ok but I don't think it was grabbing him. I tried his board and it sucked badly. He tried our boards but I don't think he was super inspired by them.
If you can go SUP paddling on a glassy ocean with lots of pretty reefs and the occasional 1-2' wave you will be totally addicted.
Thanks for all the replies 
I think I will take up Rich's offer of a demo and see how I go. As I can see the water from the back of my house, it gets a bit frustrating to see the bay when there is no wind. Would love to be able to get out there and have a paddle around and even get down to the surf on days when I am not windsurfing.
Yeah! Get your skills up on a Windsurfer!! Drop some bombs - then you can ride anything!!
Sorry! Had to drop this one in again - it blows my mind!!!! Mick is on a 12' Mistral!! You can see the rubber nose cap!!
Andrew.A
PS: Sworn to secrecy on this location but I swear I am heading down SW WA again one day!!
Mac we already moved mate, we brought a farm in portland vic I have seen pat redman and sheeny and guys out there at like 15 foot Margarets (a real 15 ft too) respect right there AA we want about 350 000 9 6" psh rippers
