Naish Nalu 11' or 11'4"

Might be a perfect question for DJ.
I am looking for a LongSUP for some relaxed surfing in small but not lined-up groomed swell (Tofino - West Coast of Canada or wind/storm swell) taking the time to enjoy it all. I am not into anything going fast and crazy but rather to transition from down-winding board to surf board and take smaller bumps early and from as far as possible away from the crowds looking for the big bumps. The Nalu seems to have an impeccable reputation and be a classic. i would never reach the mastery of DJ even if I had all the time to practice, nor can I get into the perfect place he shoots his video in so need a board that will help me rather than make life difficult.
I have tried a 10' by 30" 147L supsurf and feel that it was not the kind of board for me. A long board style looks a lot more like my cup of tea and stability over speed sounds good even if they sometime go together. I was thinking that the 11' would be the best choice but should I discount the 11'4"? I am 77kg/170 lbs and 6'.
Cheers.

Agree with DJ 11,4 might be the best for you .
i had the 11'& 11'4 ,i kept the 11,4 because i was mainly using it for what you are suggesting to use it for .
the 11,4 paddles faster ,both are great boards ..the 11 surfs better having the extra rocker .

there is a 10,8 too paddles really fast having a flat rocker ..a great nose rider too.
because you are only 77 kgs ,it would also be a good option .

Nalu's are awesome boards ...i have a 10,6 on the way

I think that the choice of 11-4 or 11 will depend on how small your waves are. I am used to surfing *really* small and crappy waves, and boards with generous rocker tend to make it pretty hard to get into them. I surfed DJ's Naish 11'0 on a very small clean day (thanks DJ!) and I absolutely loved the board (the stability is wonderful and it paddled better than I was expecting). But it seemed to me that it would work best in waves that were waist-height or bigger, and it didn't pick up really marginal ripples as well as you might expect for an 11ft board. By contrast, the 11-4 picks up tiny ripples a bit better, IMO. But by the time the waves are waist or chest-high I'd rather be on the 11'0" because as DJ says, the rocker is more forgiving and makes it turn better.

I also agree with Colas. As I say, I surf *really* small crappy waves a lot. The sort of dribble that most people wouldn't bother with. Often, I have more fun in those conditions on a downwind or race board, than a surf board. But I've bought a huge number of surf SUPs over the last 10 years in the search for the best "ripple-rider". The PSH 12ft gun does work pretty well, but is a little low volume in the tail for really tiny crappy waves. The general outline is along the right lines though. Lately I've been using a Gong Perv 12'6" for these tiny conditions. This is a pointy-nosed 215L crossover board, with a fairly flat rocker and a moderate tail volume but surf-shape rails. It is also wide (30"). This combo means it has a huge planing area, but paddles fast into ripples, while it is still possible to turn it. And you can stand on it for hours even in terrible chop without your legs wobbling. I think a version of this board that was around 190L might be a perfect ripple-rider...

But, as I say, some DW boards actually surf small crappy stuff quite well. The JL M14 is probably the best of the production boards, although my 16ft custom surfs better than the M14 as it is thinner - the rails of most DW boards are too thick in the middle for them to surf very well.

I think you are very wise to go for longer boards in crappy small conditions. They are simply more fun. Learning to properly turn a long board in low-energy waves, and to generate speed, is a skill in itself, and can be hugely satisfying when you get it right. And then when you finally encounter some decent waves, it feels just sooooo easy!

Thank you all for the advices. I think that my inexperience made me provide the wrong description. I am looking for a bord for 3 to 4 feet steep bumps or low energy mushy 5 to 6 i.e. taking over from our Bullet 12 for ankle biters and that I can get close to a line-up without been linched. So surfing at the periphery and marginal conditions where it would be too much for a 200L board but just enought to have a relaxed ride. I am nowhere close to talk about nose riding, need to learn how to walk first. I like the idea of a constant rocker. Over time might graduate to over waist height if all stars align.

It should be knee high to waist high max. By the time it gets there i would likely have left the water to the pros. Under knee high i could use the Bullet 12. Sorry it seems so difficult to size waves depending who you are talking to or the shape of the wave, the forecast.......a perfect waist high down-winding would be a monster surfing for me.
Wind a factor.
I do like the look of the Gong Perv. Not sure about the sizing i.e. it feels like a size in between the 12.6 and the 10.6 would be great. the 12' Sunova Search might be the right volume and size? As a nooby, i do need the stability.

Well now i need to think things over between a Nalu and a gun shape like the Search. Both are really good looking boards and should have some staying power. Have to account for local availabiliry too but i am not in a rush at all. Cheers.

Yeah, it's such a shame that so few brands make boards like the Venom/PSH Gun/Gong Perv (and if you go back in time, the original 12ftx27.5" C4 Holoholo (which I should never have sold) are so incredibly adaptable. I've done many 10-15 mile paddles on my PSH 12ft gun, as well as surfing it in everything from ankle slippers to around double overhead. These boards are actually much more "All-round" IMO than the spoon-nosed longboard shapes that are marketed as all-round boards. The issue I guess is that pulled in (pointy) noses rob the board of some stability, and since most all-round boards are sold to beginners, stability is all-important.

I used to have a Surftech 10-5 Mickey Munoz Fun Gun that I sold. I should have kept it. I've still got a Gong Crusader 10-9 though. Both boards are in the "user-friendly gun" category. Unlike the Jimmy Lewis Bombora, which is too narrow to be comfortable for most people in choppy conditions. It's a shame that Jimmy doesn't do a 12x29 gun with 5 finboxes (like the PSH Gun). Maybe a little more volume/width in the tail (swallowtail?) than you'd normally put on a gun, to help it catch small waves, and aid flat water speed. That could be an awesome all-round board for anyone past the beginner stage.

Maybe a custom Sunova Search? Get it with five finboxes, and dual leash plugs...

But, honestly, the Naish boards are really great too. So if you can get a good deal on one, it won't be a mistake to go for it. The stability of the 11'0" in particular is truly awesome, and that's worth a lot when you are in wind and chop. I recently bought a 11'0" x31" NFA Gong longboard (it's similar dimensions to the Naish 11' but was less than half the price in the UK) and I've been having a blast on it in crappy onshore surf conditions.

I wouldn't go for the Jimmy Lewis Cruise Control btw. I had one in my first days of SUP about 10-12 years ago. It's a fine beginner board. And you can happily cruise around in it for miles, as the name suggests. But you are too experienced for it, really, and should go for something more performancy.

The Surftech Gerry Lopez Big Darlin' 11-2 is a very nice performance longboard btw, if you can find one of those going cheap near you. It's less stable than the Naish but has a huge amount going for it otherwise. It rips in crappy conditions.

Hi Luc

l am looking forward to the time we can get out in the waves together in 2019! A 10 foot board sounds great to get into the waves and when you are ready to step down in size I have a selection of Sunova boards for you to take out. Having some rocker in the board will help I think with our beach breaks. It was good to spend an afternoon with you and your lovely wife talking over a cup of tea. Thanks for stopping by. I remember Catherine telling me once that her best students in the surf were flat water racers and down wind paddlers because they come with a very good paddle stroke. I think you will enjoy surfing and surprise yourself with how quickly you progress.

Wishing you all the best in the New Year,

Bob

Well it looks like Faith and a little bit of FB word of mouth might have put an older Nalu 11'4" on my way. I would be trading my Bark Vapor (love it but the Maliko is so close in range and faster in many aspects...) and receive the oldy plus some cash. I do not not know what year it is but could be 2010. It looks like the picture attached but in worth condition.