Gday,
This is on behalf of a mate whose not online.
He wants to begin the journey to be able to eventually be a capable sup surfer, so he has asked what he should be on the look out for and what is suitable for him starting out, he mentioned budget to begin with will be around the $1500 mark. he's a smidge over 100kg and nearly 6ft tall.
No prior surfing experience. can anyone advise as to what info I should pass onto him please?
If you need any more info let me know
Thanks
Kieran
I would go outside the Naish brand and say starboard whopper....heaps of float but still very surfy
I started on this (I was a smidge over 100kg at the time too)
ECS Wideboy 9'5 x 32 x 4 7/16 (156L)
Comes with paddle, leash and bag for less than $1500.
Local Aussie brand too.
Pretty similar to a Starboard Widepoint if you've ever seen them
Select to expand quoteCoastie said..
I started on this (I was a smidge over 100kg at the time too)
ECS Wideboy 9'5 x 32 x 4 7/16 (156L)
Comes with paddle, leash and bag for less than $1500.
Local Aussie brand too.
Pretty similar to a Starboard Widepoint if you've ever seen them
I'd second that - my first board was also an ECS, great value (especially as he wil most definitley be looking for a new/smaller board within the first 12 months)
I second the previous post re the halo's, but around the 9'4 to 10' length. They will float him fine. Search for videos on the halo as I've seen one where they smash it with baseball bats and then drive a 4x4 over it. Extremely well made and don't be scared of the cheaper price tag.
Also check out the "evoke" range as that is what I surf and will happily recommend them. I'm 95kgs and surf a 7'11 but have surfed for 30 years. I have two mates who are both around the 110-115kgs who never surfed until 6 months ago and they both use 9'4 with 160 litres of float and are surfing great!! The carbon version is bullet proof and is so strong it's not funny.
The owner of the company makes really great boards and is not a rip off merchant! He also stands by his warranty no questions asked. Definitely worth a look especially if he's in qld as there is 5 stores from sunny coast to goldie to byron. Good luck.
As you know there are so many SUPs to try.
Once they have their sea legs, the local break where they learn to surf may dictate the style of SUP.
A point break would be suited to any board, with long mal style boards excelling why a beach break with a quick wave would be more suited to a wider shorter SUP with more rocker.
I wouldn't spend too much money on the first board, hopefully its going to get used a lot and consequently it will get plenty of paddle marks and dings.
If it is used a lot and the stoke increases, they will want a more challenging board within 6 months. (Obviously this raises resale value if you don't keep it.)
I am not going to suggest a specific brand but stick to dimensions.
As there is no surf background I would not go below 30 inches wide and 32 inches would be a better option. (If you go too wide, I think they are hard to paddle as you have to paddle away from the body more which can cause shoulder issues)
Then stick to around 10 feet long. If you go longer up to 11 feet, it will be even easier but if you go shorter you will need the extra width of 32 inches. (Too long and you have an aircraft carrier which is hard to turn)
If you stick to these dimensions, thickness and volume shouldn't be a problem but I would suggest at 100kg don't go below 150L, more is easier.
The other thing to consider which I think is important and often overlooked: don't get a cheap and nasty paddle.
They tend to be the wrong length, size and are heavy which can lead to poor technique and tendonitis.
So factor this into your cost.
