Aloha Everyone, I recently got into SUP and SUPsurfing a few months ago and I'm totally hooked! I've been on a cheapo wavestorm 10'6" that was given to me from a close friend as a beater. I've ridden a few other friends boards and want to upgrade to something more solid construction. Storing the new board will be a challenge due to space of where I live. I really want a 12'6" for cruising/flat water but it won't fit in the place I'm renting. i honestly barely have space for a 11'6" lol. At 102kg I'm looking for the better of the 2 in surf ability and stability in choppy water. I visited a few shops that recommended the 1010 Nalu over the 10' mana. I plan on surfing more with the board once the winter swells get here. I'm sure it's been discussed a million times but for some reason I keep leaning towards the Mana over the Nalu. A few questons I have about the mana is how good is it tracking in flat water as well as stability in heavy choppy water? I know the Nalu 1010 is great at it due to the multi channels but read and was told its not as easy to turn iduring surf. I'll probably stay out of the bigger surf and stay in the more comfortable 1-4 ft for now. Would the Nalu 1010 be sufficlient for the time being? I really hate to grow out of it quickly and wish I got the 10' mana. Any recommendations on other good all a rounder boards? Thank you.
I'd recommend the 10' Mana over the 10'10'' Nalu for what you're after and for your weight.
Thanks DJ. Wish I could demo both boards before I buy. Too bad most of the vendors here where I live dont have demo days. Definitely gonna go back and make a final decision later this week.
Easy choice mate ..10' mana .paddles great ,tracks well ..it's a big man wave board .
Lighter than the 10.10 Nalu .
It has three fins so its gonna surf better.
Channels make you go straight ..so you will have to get right up the rear to turn the 10.10.
Where the 10. ' mana is forgiving ,on a wave and has the width to surf small waves .
It's a good all rounder .
I'm 105kg got the Mana 10. Great small wave board, up to head high or a bit bigger, and does fine as a flat water cruiser. Can't go wrong for what you're after IMHO.
Am also on the Mana 10' @ 112-115kg's and it goes well in surf (though as a 'stand & glide' type surfer on it at the moment, I'm not really pushing it...). Also not bad on the flats. Decent tracking if you use vertical paddle, and I tend to stand a little forward of the handle, have the centre fin at the back of the box, and weight the rail of the side I'm paddling on, which all help tracking.
Hoping to add an 11'4 or 11'6 Nalu to the Mana, but having storage issues (along with SWMBO issues re. purchase...)
10ft Mana all the way!
Its such a easy board to surf and if your a slightly bigger guy you should be able to really rip it around.
We have a few bigger local guys here on the coast that have actually gone back to the 10ft Mana after being on smaller boards. They are now surfing better and more aggressive than before.
The rocker, out line shape and thinned out rails combined with its cleaver volume distribution all make the Mana such awesome fun board to surf.
If you need any more info or advise check us out here.....http://www.oceanaddicts.com.au/shop/stand-up-paddle/2016-naish-mana-gtw-wood-edition/
The new GTW is so light as well!
Hey mate
Got the Nalu your talking about. Good for a bit of fun in the waves and a good beginners board for waves but as you've already said Don't turn that well. It is still good all round board but the Mana would probably be better for you by what you are saying (more waves than flat water)
I've had a quick short ride of a Mana once and it was more manurveable than the Nalu
I use the Nalu on the lakes around home and upgraded to a Hokua (9'10") for the surf
All boards are useable on flat water, some are better than others. When my Mrs does come out with me for a paddle on the lake, I use the Hokua. Just means less strokes per side with the paddle
Thanks for the input guys! I'm meeting up with a friend to try out their 9'5" mana tomorrow. i just know it's gonna make the itch to pull the tigger on one even easier. Hopefully I'll own one of these by this weekend. =D
So I finally pulled the trigger today. Thanks for everyone's input!!! Can't wait to take this out. It was super windy and choppy today with no surf maybe tomorrow if the weather and water isn't so bipolar. Lol super stoked!!
Select to expand quoteRbreezy said...
So I finally pulled the trigger today. Thanks for everyone's input!!! Can't wait to take this out. It was super windy and choppy today with no surf maybe tomorrow if the weather and water isn't so bipolar. Lol super stoked!!
Awesome!! Congrats mate - I see you went for the GT? Excellent!
Thank you! Yea they only had the GT in stock. Im glad I went with the mana. Can't wait to test it out
Congrats..
It's no biggie but I'd be putting the board on the racks up side down especially on a sunny day because the deck pads don't like UV and they fade pretty quick causing the board to loose that nice new look.
Select to expand quoteDavidJohn said..
Congrats..
It's no biggie but I'd be putting the board on the racks up side down especially on a sunny day because the deck pads don't like UV and they fade pretty quick causing the board to loose that nice new look.
Seconded 
Lol I had it flipped fins side down to install the new fins. I can only imagine what kind of upward lift and load it would on my bed racks strapped down this way. Im paranoid of keeping this board or any board in the sun due to UV damage and potential delamination. BTW How often are you supposed to remove the vent screw to equalize pressure for these boards? Kinda wish these boards came with a goretex valve.
So I took it out today in less then ideal weather, high offshore winds, and 1-2ft choppy water and my first impressions of this 10' mana was WOW!!!!! This board is insanely stable!! I had to intentionally stand both feet on one side rail and jump on it just to get it to flip over. Tracking was alright with the 6.5" center fin it came with. I swapped it out with a future yellow triangle and it would track straight thru the chops. I was able to catch a few small waves and it definitely will turn where your want it to go with minimal effort. Learning to surf with this board is very easy as it is very forgiving when you offset your balance while getting into surf stance. The wide width makes it super stable in the chops. Can't wait to take it out again tomorrow!!
Select to expand quoteRbreezy said..
So I took it out today in less then ideal weather, high offshore winds, and 1-2ft choppy water and my first impressions of this 10' mana was WOW!!!!! This board is insanely stable!! I had to intentionally stand both feet on one side rail and jump on it just to get it to flip over. Tracking was alright with the 6.5" center fin it came with. I swapped it out with a future yellow triangle and it would track straight thru the chops. I was able to catch a few small waves and it definitely will turn where your want it to go with minimal effort. Learning to surf with this board is very easy as it is very forgiving when you offset your balance while getting into surf stance. The wide width makes it super stable in the chops. Can't wait to take it out again tomorrow!!
Yep they are a great board!!
