First Surf Sup

Hi Guys

I have been for a few surfs on my downwind board which is a Jimmy Lewis M14 (14'x28"). I can obviously catch pretty much any ripple that comes my way but can only manage minor course adjustments once on the wave. Other than that I can walk back on the board semi stall it and turn off the back of the wave before it closes out and head back for another go. I still have a bit of fun but I would like to be able to actually surf, do a few turns and progress my Sup skills.

I got talking to my local shop any they offered to demo a board which I might do tomorrow if the swell holds. They have a few to choose from to demo but I wanted some opinions as to what size, how many litres etc for my first surf sup so I can narrow down the options.

What I want is a tough construction and usable in small and sometimes messy conditions so I can get out as much as possible. Doesn't have to be super high performance, I don't need to impress anyone just have some fun.

I am a lightweight male currently about 67kg and 173cm tall, reasonably good downwind paddler who gets out on the water regularly.

From memory the shop had starboard nuts, Gulliver Vbox both of which sounded interesting to me because he said they had good glide to get onto waves and were fast once on them. He also showed me Laird longboard style sups which didn't excite me as much but were cheaper and possibly the right thing to get started on but I would possible grow out of too quickly. There were other brands there but those are the ones that stuck in my brain.

Any suggestions as to what style, size and litres of board would be greatly appreciated.

I am in the same boat but surf my family board a 11 ft 34 wide 205 ltr tanker . I have been looking at the Naish x32 the starboard range just because I like the build quality but I keep coming back to the fanatic all wave so in the hrs build give them a look as they seem to be perfect for the conditions you are describing . Just my 2 cents worth