Hoping someone can give me some advice. Im looking at a new 2016 JP Surf Pro SUP. Decided on that type of board but unsure of what size. Tossing up between 8"10, 8"6 & 8"2. Im an intermediate sup surfer, weigh about 76kg. Would love to get the 8"2 but just worried it may be slightly too short. Cheers in advance for any help.
My mate is about 85 kg and pretty good on a sup he rides the 8'6 for his all round board and loves it he rips on it in all conditions he has a 8'0 but struggles to paddle it I have paddled the 8'6 and found it quite stable not as stable as my 8'7 Sunova flow but I was able to catch a few waves pretty easy I recon the 8'6 is the go here is a shot on my buddy getting his 8'6 sideways
Id be looking at the width more than length. I had the 8'2 in the widebody it was super stable great fun on 4 ft and under days then went the 8'6 it surfed better on bigger days 5ft+ wasnt as fun in mushy surf and was a handfull in choppy conditions. Now got the 7'6 slate got the best of both boards combined and quite a bit faster and turns sharper than either lot slower to paddle though. Think the 8'10 bit too much board for your weight unless your into the real big stuff. At your weight id be thinking about the 7'2×28 slate then the 8'2 pro but id make sure to demo the 8'2 could be a real challenge unless its clean.
I’m about same skill level and weight as you and I bought the 2015 8’6” (same shape as the 2016) five months ago with the intension of getting something like an 8’10” for the lumpy days. Within a short time I was more than comfortable on the 8’6” in all conditions so no need for a bigger board, sometimes I think about getting a smaller board for a 2 board quiver but really at the moment the 8’6” is just perfect for me.
