beginner sups?

I recon a board 10 ft to 10ft 6inches and between 31-33 inches wide would be a good place to start, others may suggest a 9 ft 5inch which could be good but stay above 31 inches so it's a nice stable board. I personally like the Naish boards but the JP, Fanatic, Sunova, NSP boards are really nice but are premium dollars although I nearly bought a NSP Cocomat board which is strong and light but I liked the look of my Naish Mana better. Depends which state you are in too as Qld and WA have a lot more brands available I think.

Starboard Converse 9ft 30 wide. I have the inflatable version and an very happy. Male 64kg

Where will you store ?
How will you transport ?
How much weight are you willing to carry ?

If you go less than 10ft I would probably want less rocker so that the board tracks better.

Hi Kate

This may absolutely not apply to you, but simply what I have witnessed over years of paddling with women and listening to them.
The constant complaint of casual paddlers, was the weight and/or size of the board.
Most had been "sold" a 12'6 raceboard.... so they could go fast, because that's what the guy in the store likes.

Most women I meet don't give a hoot about going fast..... they just wanted to paddle with friends or simply enjoy nature.

In any wind at all, the longer boards were difficult, to impossible, to load on the roof of their car without help.

The weight of cheaper boards 10'6 All-arounders was also very difficult and unwieldy.

Whenever they picked up my boards they freaked out and said "I want one like that!"
What did I paddle? 8'10 to 9'5 Surf SUPs, because that was all I had. (8'10 Fanatic Allwave, 9'5 Naish Mana)
I weigh in at 100 kg+.......
My average trip is 10K... even in winter, snow and wind

I don't care about racing down the middle.
Its the edges, and estuaries that I like to explore.
Smaller boards excel at navigating creeks and tidal marshes.

I now have longboard SUPs that I paddle, but nothing over 10'6 and they are very light.

I have finally found, what I really believe to be a fantastic board for women who want paddling to be easy and fun.
It is the 1st board I have seen that meets all of the "wishes" I have heard.

The 9'5 Sunova Surf.
10.4 kg (23 lbs)
32" wide, 160 liters... big enough for the dog or kid
Small and light enough to throw inside the car and easy to manage onto the roof racks.
It paddles very well, even at my size.

And, when you are ready.....it surfs amazingly well.

In the ECO build (Shown) it is very affordable for the weight class.

Here are some pictures, because I believe they help. They show some of my favorite "flat-water" boards, doing everything.

Hey Kate
my wife is about your size a little smaller maybe. We got her a 9'6" x 31' wide. We went smaller for exactly the reason Supthecreek said, to make the board more manageable for her so when we are taking 2 or 3 boards down to the water she can take it. Or she can go on her own as she has done.

she has the female version of the Fanatic Allround, paddles well, stable but some rocker so good in chop or small waves. A word of warning we have gone from zero to 3 boards in 2 months, it is a little addictive ;) Enjoy.

Kind of agree with STC......at your weight you don't want some thick fat "all round" board.......you could go for a 10 foot or 10'6 longboard sup with thinner rails and a more refined shape that will also be a fun paddle on flat water.
Don't know why he isn't recommending the sunova style though. And there are the Laird Hamilton ones of a similar volume and styling also but maybe they have quality issues?

Grizzie..... a few reasons for not mentioning the Style

#1 - I have never seen one, much less ridden one, so I have no experience to draw from.

#2 - The 9'5 Surf has beefier rails, full nose & tail and a very simple flat bottom contour.

#3 - Strictly as a numbers game, the 9'5 Surf has more float than even the 10'6 Style XL, so it will allow for kids and dogs, without the thin foiled rail, and less length fits inside a lot of cars.

Charlie, I have not.... but I like the 10'2 numbers for folks that want a bit more stability.

I have always been a big fan of the Mana's, having owned 3 of them.

I am looking forward to trying the 10'2, as I think it would be a very relaxing small wave cruiser and super stable flat-water board, without being too long.... and I am sold on their ECO build. It is superior to the Mana's I have had.

My experience with both builds, will put the Surf more durable and considerably lighter than the Mana GS... and probably lighter than the GT.... and lighter on the wallet as well. (my 9'5 SURF is 2.5 kg's lighter than my last 9'5 mana at identical dims and liters)

Thanks STC; stability is important to me I'm around your weight over 60 and due for a knee replacement sometime in the next few years. Much as I would love a more performance oriented board I would just be kidding myself! I hobble around for a day after a good surf as it is

Thank you every one for your replies - I really appreciate your time.

I agree with the points about weight - I have been a little worried about what weight will be manageable for me as I plan on loading it onto my car. I just wasn't sure what size I could get away with for flat water paddling, so this has all been very helpful. Also, I saw some boards that had "surf" in the name and was worried that I wouldn't be able to paddle them well on the flat water, so that was all also very helpful information.

Do you know about the Naish Hokua?

I'm from NSW and this one is for sale:
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~tgv1l/2013-Naish-Hookipa-9-0.aspx?search=uQNVTXNc1pWhjfFr!0$S5w==

Alternatively I am looking at the Mana
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~vri6f/2014-Naish-Mana-Gt-Wood-9-5-32-inches.aspx?search=uQNVTXNc1pWhjfFr!0$S5w==

But I really like the look of the Alana
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~v9orv/2015-Naish-Alana-9-5-32-inches.aspx?search=uQNVTXNc1pWhjfFr!0$S5w==

Which one do you think would be best for me? Also, I live with my niece, who is 3 and about 13kg, would I be able to sit her on any of those boards with me (when I am better at paddling), or are all these ones a bit too small for that?

Hi Kate,
I agree with Flying High above (actually all the advice here sounds good). Definitely the Hokua would be difficult due to its narrow width.

For my money, I would go with the Alana and (once you get your sea legs) you will be fine with your niece on board. My partner is your size, only paddles from time to time and she often takes one of the girls on front with her no problem. I have just bought her an Atlantis Runway which is less than 1k (new) and weighs around 11kg.

She has paddled my 10'4x29 and 9'6x29 and has had no trouble but she prefers the longer board as it tends to track straighter when paddling.... (shorter boards do tend to swing from side to side a bit more till you get your paddling technique sussed)

The starboard would probably be a bit lighter but it is more expensive.

Whatever you choose... you will have a blast!

Paul

Hi Kate.
As stated above, the 9'5 Alana and the 9'5 Mana you linked to are the exact same shape, but with different colors.
BUT.... the Mana GT (wood deck) would be lighter by 1 to 2 kgs.
I say spend the extra on the GT.... a very good choice!

Note.... if you find a 10'6 Alana or Nalu.... it is narrower and less stable.

And about the Hokua , a good board once you are ready to rip in the surf, but not nearly as stable or as good of a paddler.

re my post above, does anybody know anything about the naish heli semi carbon paddle. The guy selling the Naish board is selling it for $189

Sounds like a good deal to me.

I was literally about to transfer the money and the bloke sold it to somebody else :(