Hi guys and gals. Would appreciate some recommendations for surf sup. 70kg, 43yo male. Have been paddling frequently for 6 months, 20 years surfing prior. Have a 8'2" x 32 Widepoint, which is great in small waves despite its width and my light weight, except it's very hard to paddle in a straight line. I like wandering between breaks to escape crowds so this has started to bug me a bit.
I'd like something that
- is good for paddling between nearby breaks (maybe a couple of hundred metres apart)
- Preferrably handles a variety of waves, but must work when the surf is small (knee to head high) and choppy.
- Easy to turn for a lightweight person.
- only for ocean, doesn't have to be great on flat water
I tried an Imagine 9-0 at windsurfnsnow, however conditions weren't perfect to judge its full capability. It seems to be easy to paddle but has a lot of rocker so not sure how it will go in tiny surf, or picking waves up early.
Any suggestions of potential boards to consider would be appreciated.thanks!
Hi Steve
If you can paddle the Imagine ok and don't have stability issues give it another go when the conditions are better, Its a very good board.
It definitely won't be a problem in head high conditions and at your weight should be ok in the smaller waves.
You have to get away from the teardrop shaped boards and get a straighter rail like the Imagine or Stubby.
It is very difficult to get a board to cover all conditions.
The crew at WS&S are very good and there is quite a range of boards to demo there.
They will give you good advice
Thanks mate, yes the guys in windsurf snow are great. Just wanted to get it clear in my head what style of board I think I want, to save demoing too many different things, and being too much of a tyre kicker!
Teardrop boards are are well suited to your needs. Will paddle faster than wide nose models. As you originally suspected, a flatter rocker will suit you as well.
Longer and narrower is also good advice. 9'6x29 maybe? Depends on your skill/comfort.
Visit a local shaper and have one made custom.
I reckon the Speeed paddles pretty well for its size. I regularly paddle mine 1km+ to get across the bay to a surf spot no problems. I have also taken it out for some 6km flat water paddles and It goes well (considering size.)
I'm still learning and have only tried a few boards, but I find it handles a variety of surf conditions. Still paddles well in chop, but can be abit of a handful for standing around sometimes (I,m 6.3 tall on a 8.10x29). You can read the other threads for the debates about turning on it - I'm still too new to have an informed opinion, but it feels pretty lively to me.
cheers HB
I'm about the same weight and for what you are describing, I think you might like the Starboard Nut. 9' x 28.5" or 9'5" x 29". Surfs like a shorter board due to the unique shape but paddles and tracks like the longer board that it is.
