Hello all, newbie on this forum.
I am am about to dip the toe into the world of SUPing having recently given up another (non water) sport. My wife just bought a Fly Diamond 9'6.
I am looking at an Allwave 8'5 for my first board. I am 71 kg so 135L seems like ample volume. I won't be doing any long paddles just mucking around with my wife or looking to venture into small surf. I am...ahem... around 50 yo.
I have done done a bunch of different sports, a little surfing which I never mastered, wave skiing and a lot of windsurfing. I think the wave ski and windsurf are what have helped me feel pretty comfortable on a SUP.
So the question is, thoughts on the allwave 8'5 as my first board?
Thanks for your input.
Hi Whasup i think this would be a really suitable starter with the info you have provided.I have had allwaves over the journey and found them to be durable, affordable and reasonable in the waves.Its likely if you enjoy the wave riding you will progress to a modified craft but its certainly going to get you started and take you down the road a bit.Good luck and enjoy the ride
I have the 8'6" by 30", 130l. 2014 model. It's brilliant. I honestly don't think i'll ever sell it!
I'm about 75kg, and use it predominantly in waves, but have used it a fair bit in the flat water. It's awesome in the waves, i can still bottom turn it like a surfboard, it feels agile and very stable, even in windy/rough seas.
As a comparison, I also have a 10' x 32" Alley Designs, which was my first board. The Allwave was the perfect step up for me - it is definately as stable as the 10", and feels much nicer, easier to manage and you can spin it around on a dime. It did seem a lot smaller at first - like I was paddling a shortboard - but you get used to that.
I'm sure it'll be a great first board. I'd highly recommend hitting some smaller waves once you are confident. You'll never go back 
Thanks great feedback breakzmaker, we are similar size too. Yeah I definitely plan to work my way up and crawl before I try to walk. I won't be getting ahead of myself.
Select to expand quoteWhassup said..
Thanks great feedback breakzmaker, we are similar size too. Yeah I definitely plan to work my way up and crawl before I try to walk. I won't be getting ahead of myself.
Best pro tip i have, is to remember your weight distribution when taking off on waves. A full season in the surf and i still keep forgetting. As soon as you are riding down the face, get that weight back, with one foot as far back as possible, like almost on the tail pad. Helps those turns and prevents the nose going under.
Have fun
