I am 61 years old and weigh 91 kg. I am a long time longboard surfer, average ability. I got into suping a couple of years ago via a 9' 6" Allwave. Learnt how to balance and once I felt I was competent ventured into the pack on the surf break. Got loads of waves, but eventually board felt a bit like a super tanker.
i looked around the market with the idea of getting a shorter board. Tried an early fanatic pro wave 9' 2" with 135 litres volume. Only 29.5 " wide with very narrow nose meant it was too unstable. I then changed my search for boards 32" wide. Latched onto JP surf wideboy, with the idea of buying the 8' 8" size. Unfortunately an 8' 2" version came up for sale on ebay at a knock down price. I knew I was taking a chance but what the hell. With trepidation I went for a paddle on the local lake, it floated me, I could stay on and it was easy to turn. different ball game when in surf. Any small amount of chop and you felt on a knife edge of just staying on board or falling off. I persevered and got reasonably competent. It surfs really well, very close to feel of a surfboard. However, I have limited time on the water and the living on a knife edge when paddling out is too hard to live with. obviously the low volume(124 litres) has an effect but I believe the surf type rails are a contributing factor. Maybe the 8' 8" version would have been better. As leroy13 stated in previous threads, I got sucked into all the performance views on SUPs. Great if you are light, agile and young. Take heed of my tale, don't make my mistake.
Any way I have decided that a 140-150 litre board is best for an old bastard like me. So I come to the point of this thread. Anyone out there have experience of the 8' 10" 2013 allwave and the 2014 8' 11" allwave . Is the earlier version more stable due to the wider nose and slightly different rail shape. All opinions greatly accepted
Just another point to make whilst I am here. I am from a surfing back ground but had 15 years as a windsurfer. I have noticed that a lot of windsurfers are graduating to SUPs as a no wind alternative in the waves. Unfortunately, they do not have the surfers ethics and 2/3 of them can virtually take over a break. On an SUP you can move from peak to peak, with ease, see the sets better, as you are at a higher vantage point. Once I sort out a board that surfs and has the ability to float me without throwing me off all the time I think I will change my allegiance to SUPs, but with an appreciation of the surfer's point of view. We do not want to be seen in the same light as canoeists years ago who also had greater wave catching ability than surfers
Hi Supmad,Ihave the 8-10 allwave, I'm in my sixties with a surf background and 90ish kg. If I could have my time again I would have waited for the 8-6. I think it's worth a demo of both too see what you would prefer.
My 8-10 is really good for when you have an extended time out of the water,but it does lack a little in performance.
Supmad its ditto from me I'm 58 and 98kgs and have longboard and sailboard background. Have been on a SUP for about 3 years. Last board was the Allwave 9'2" and been on the 2013 Allwave 8' 11" for about 8mths. Like you have worked out that with my ability, surf conditions, age etc. that about 140L is about as low as I want to go. The 8'11" is pretty close particularly with a set of Shapers fins added but have just ordered the 2015 model as there are some more options opening up. Not sure if I was told in confidence so won't say any more but if you are looking at buying new I suggest talking to your local Fanatic dealer about future options if you are looking for an Allwave and can wait.
So can anybody give a general run down on how the 2013 and 2014 go? Do they pretty much surf and paddle the same?
Keen to know as I am in the market for an Allwave and getting a 2013 would save me some serious coin.
I've just ordered a 2015 9'1 carbon Allwave due out in Sept. The Board is just the same as the 2014 but the word that I have heard is that the smaller boards have been reworked. Hope that was not a State secret but " I can't wait."
I'm 65 and weigh 80 kg and ride a 9'6 Prowave. I've noticed in the last year a definite slowing down and find the lighter carbon board gives me a bit more drive onto the wave. I also think the Allwave is a bit more forgiving than the Prowave which is a great board but I find the nose catches on the bigger sets at Burleigh which can be a fast sucky wave. Most of the time I make it but that shallow sandbank scares the hell out of me. Hence the move back to the Allwave which has a broader front section and tends not to dig in when taking a big drop.
Anyway hope this helps 
Hey Hendo I have had 9 2 in the old swallow tail and 8 11 and in the new square tail. All the allwave boards follow the same theme, they are stable, easy to paddle and lots of fun in small surf. The 3014 8 11 has a bit less volume up front and in the tail which you can feel but its a bit academic for my ability. Both shapes are good fun, just what $ you want to spend I guess. A set of good Shapers fins did make some difference though in the 8 11. Some new options next year it seems. 
I have the 8'11 Allwave and I found it to be a great board.... nice and stable but still heaps of fun on the wave. I've ridden it from small ripple riders to overhead dumpers and everything in between.
I like the sound of a carbon version.... current board can get a bit heavy after a couple of hours
Thanks everyone for their opinions. it seems that there is a minimal reduction in stability in new 2014 model, but not significant to me at my level of expertise.
I was discussing with the Fanatic distributor here in the UK, he also stated that they are making a carbon version of the Allwave, which will arrive here in October.
Nice to see a lot of older guys still surfing, I was beginning to think I was the only one. Keep surfing guys, until you drop.
I just bought the 2015 Allwave 8'11" LTD (Carbon) after owing a narrow and very tippy Mctavish which made me feel like a novice no matter how many times I took it out. I shopped the Allwave against the Naish Mana and Starboard Widepoint. The Naish was shaded by the Allwave in most respects, the Starboard brushed-carbon came close but the word is they can bog down on wave mid-sections. The Allwave is a revelation for me, super stable, easily floats my 87kg, paddles in easy, carves well. The LTD's look better in the flesh - colours are more vivid than the promos. First session in a line up with 20 board riders and the extra confidence and paddle-in the allwave provides allowed me to catch more than my fair share. And yes, surf etiquette was a priority for this ex-windsurfer. I could go down a size in the model line up but unless you are prepared to have a sizable quiver, the 8'11" 150l will get you out there more often. The LTD model is a big spend (and they're undersupplied) but in my opinion this is close to current design perfection.
