Newbie paddler (but paddled outrigger and surfski before) in Perth, mid 80s kg looking for first sup. Trawl of google-world suggests we don't have as many shops/ alternatives as over east. Local shop sells starboards....looking at a 10'5". Either pick my own spec or they have a near-new in basic 'white asp' layup at $1600 include deck mat, extra fins, paddle, 2bags.
What's the view on starboards....have a speccy website and glossy brochure, but are they any good?
Probably saving $500 getting the 'special' package but should I be going for a better spec layup? Will I notice the diff?
And are there any shops selling oxbow, Anderson, naish, coretan in perth?
Thanks all
Mark
You could try giving Reg a call at Windsurfing Perth in Myaree, he sells Naish. I picked up a Mana 9'5" for a good price.
Scott
Jason always gives you a good deal and has heaps of demos
www.westozkiteboarding.com.au/contact-us
The 10.5 Starby is a great board and perfect for your weight. They paddle fast and track straight in the flat and surf fast and drivey in all surf from ankle to well over head. To me they have a really nice longboard feel in the surf and love to draw out nice big turns and if you get into a nasty section they will get you outta trouble with speed that you wont believe. As an allrounder they are head and shoulders above the other board suggested in this thread in every aspect. And yes I have paddled and surfed and owned both boards so I can justify my comment. Also in recent weeks a girlfriend of mine who has never been in the surf on a sup caught her first waves on the 10.5 and said its the first board she has ever felt safe and stable enough on to paddle for a wave.
I was in pretty much a carbon copy of your situation last December Marke, except that I am complete N00b paddler but experienced stand up surfer.
A couple of the Perth shops do demos as well so you can try a few out as well before buying. As a n00b I did not bother as they all would have felt weird compared to my 6' quad fish!
I got the Starboard Drive and it is going very well so far, although I yet to try it in any decent waves. Paddles fantastic in flat water and even in very mild downwind conditions. As a bonus the kids and wife love it as well.
My wife had a 2009/2010 SB 10'5 drive for about a year (until I traded it in for a new board for me 
) It was a great board for her (and friends) to learn on, construction was great. It was much lighter than my Naish 9.5 mana (the wife is using this now).
The only drawback she found with it was that it was very flat in the nose and she had a tendency to nosedive it when catching a wave. The 2010/2011 model has slightly more rocker to stop this happening, so should be a pretty good board.
She was very sad to see it go (I on the other hand was very pleased to get my new SB 9'1 pro).
Yep my first board was a starboard 10'5 drive.,I loved it at first, great to learn on.
i found it lacking in rocker and it tends to nose dive unless you stomp on the tail when taking the drop.I creased mine in the first 6 months so have now changed to Jimmy lewis and love it. 10.5 starboard is a great light board but not sure about the durability of the construction.
Brilliant boards!
Myself and two mates have learnt over the last 6 months on my 2010 Drive (in bluetouch) and I couldn't be more impressed with the performance and durability. We've hard it out at least every second day in every thing from ankle high to 1.5 overhead and it's got nothing worse than a couple of scratches from heavy paddle strikes.
Super stable, very fast and pretty manoeuvrable for it's size. The only catch with the 2010 board is the lack of nose rocker resulting in nose diving, but for me this is only an issue when the wind is on shore and waves are pitching quickly. Shouldn't be an issue with the increased nose rocker on the 2011 board.
Thanks fellas. Sounds like I should get the 2011, let the 'special' deal go, to get the better rocker.
Never pass up a special mate. Yes there is a small difference in rocker but not enough to be any real issue. All the 10.5s are awesome - go for it - and if you can save a few bucks - go for it quicker 
You may want to give the SB element 9' 8" a try also, I demoed one from WindSurf n Snow last weekend.
I'm a newb as well and share a fanatic Fly 10' with my partner. The SB felt nice and stable in flat water (i'm 90kg), tracked well (much like the Fanatic) and felt like a good all rounder. I didn't try it in the surf but I beleive it's capable.
Starboard Drive is a great first board and the Fanatic range are awesome - 10'6. Phil at WA surf in Safety Bay for fanatic and Naish or Jason for Starboard at West Oz (Rockingham). Both great blokes and know their stuff.
Can't say I've had good service with anyone in the metro area unfortunately.
