I was given an old Naish Javlen 14x23. I'm 5"9' and about 75 kg. I have always used a surf SUP so I'm not sure what's what in the longer distance SUPs. I'm a little rocky on the Javlen, should I stick with it or get something a little wider. Any advice?
Depends on your balance really, the wider the board the more drag and if its Carbon is another factor. I would go wider, I have a 29 wide and have a great time but the narrow boards leave me for dead so what do you want to achieve?
The Jav is more of a flat water board, im about your size and weight and paddle a 22 wide board in the flat and just under 25 in the ocean. I wouldn't be paddling the 23 Jav in the ocean unless very glassy!!...stick around 25-26 in an all round shape and you should be fine for the ocean in most conditions...
The old Jav is an unreal board!! However it was more suited to the lighter paddler that had a bit more water experience to make it come alive. If you are looking at progressing to downwinding you really need to up the volume. Higher volume boards are super forgiving and allow you to make the mistakes (which we all do) whilst maintaining board speed. Definitely demo some boards for stability, but once you decide on a board, just stick with it. Too many people dont give themselves enough time to adjust their technique to the board. All boards behave differently and require time to work them out. And downwinding in itself takes time before you even start having fun. It is a difficult sport.
Cheers,
Ryan
