Hello everyone,
I would like to draw on the "brains trust" of this forum for some suggestions on which boards I should look at. I have done some online research and spoken to a few shops and it is all starting to get confusing.
I am a 5' 2" (157cm) female, with a small/medium frame, weighing 58 kgs, and aged late 40s.
I want to use the SUP for flat/small chop ocean paddling. One day, I may be brave enough to take it into some very small waves!
I live near the beach and will either walk the SUP board down via a SUP trolley or transport it via my ute. Very occasionally I will put it on top of my mid sized SUV for longer trips. My budget is $2k max.
I love being on the water and would use it 3-4 times per week in summer. I'm ready to buy a board suited to my specs/use. Kids are now too big/heavy for me to paddle them around, so it will just be me on the board and possibly a small (<15kg) dog in the future. I'm also the type of person that when I get a piece of kit that I love, I will hang on to it for a looong time (10+ years). I use the SUP as a form of relaxation so graphics/aesthetics is important.
I started using a SUP about 2 years ago on a cheapie 10'6" inflatable that had enough volume to float my entire family (2 adults, 3 children)!
I have been using a 10' 6" x 30" wide hard SUP on loan to me from a family member. The only downside of this board is that I have trouble carrying it due to it's length vs my height (the bum drags and I suspect that the handle wasn't centred properly).
Thanks in advance.
Hi LittleMaze
trial the boards if you can, but would recommend getting as light a board as possible.
Also the surfboard warehouse currently have a sale on and their carbon evoke 9'2 x 32 is a light, very stable, versatile board for paddling in flat water and surf.
if you are more interested in surfing the 9' carbon vex is a really light board for surfing and easy to paddle - but this might be more your 'next' board after a bigger board. A lot of the ladies who begin to sup surf have a board 9' or 9'6 and 30 wide. You learn after carrying your sup to get as light as possible within your budget.
There are also some really good, light 2nd hand boards for sale on this forum.
Happy supping 
Hey there,
I think it's important you mention you'd like to build up to riding in waves.. It's pretty standard fare that you'll be pointed in the direction of a surf sup, but if you just want to cruise around and have a manageable bord you may want to give the guys a call au Gold Coast SUP, they designer and sell ONE boards all over the world and have given this "which first g some serious thought. They've developed a 9x30 all round sup, a cross between a race board and a cruiser that is versatile enough to catch a few bumps later when you are more confident.
Its a great little board and will be much more fun than punting around on a surf sup.
give Jacko or Ange a call and have a chat about it.
enjoy,
How have you been going on the 10'6' x 30"? Does it feel stable enough? If you can, try weighing it so you can ask resellers what theirs weigh in comparison.
Some people will start with a wider board, even up to 34" wide, but being so light you might be fine on a 30" wide board. If you can get some practice on the 10'6" x 30" then you may be able to start with something a little shorter - but other than the reduction in weight, you may not gain anything by going smaller/shorter. The added length (i.e. with the 10'6") will help with flat-water paddling and when learning to surf.
I'm 65kg dry male and started on a 9ft by 30 Isup exclusively on flatwater
first 9 months . Eventually caught my first waves on that . 30 width felt good. Next board was a 7"11 by 32 wide Evoke . Was stable but way to wide and made it hard to catch waves . I actually reckon the extra width made me stand wider which made me less efficient . Then went to an 88 Speed which is just over 28 wide . Love it . Actually felt more stabler when trying to catch wave .
I wouldn't go wideer than 30. I reckon 30 wide by 9ft long is perfect mix of length to width for a lighter person .
Also to wide makes you angle paddle to much if you are not tall
Have you looked in the buy and sell (click on vic ), there are a few boards that maybe in your price range and look pretty good
Hi,
I'm a similar height and little heavier (64kg) male and started on a 9'8" * 30" Starboard Element. Paddles well with plenty of glide, and does surf very well. My partner uses it exclusively for flat water and loves it. Mine is 2010 model in the AST construction, durable but isn't light. Would happily buy another.
cheers Andy
Take a look at the SIC Bullet 11.
If you are reasonably athletic you should be able to go narrower than 30", and narrower boards will be much nicer for you to paddle.
The SIC Bullets in SCC construction are light and very easy to carry, because they have a beautiful comfy handle.
It should do everything you want. And they look extremely classy too.
Hi there
beg, borrow, and trial trial trial as many as you can ... once your on it you will know which direction your headed.
my only advice... get a board that test you a little, not going so small or thin that your only in the water never on top of it and the fun is no longer there.
why ruin a great sport. Have fun :)
Hi Littlemaze,
I might be of some help to you here.
As a professional SUP racer and of the same height and weight as yourself.
You really have to think about 2 things when trying to get the right board now. How much Flatwater Paddling you really want to do? How much Surf or Ocean Paddling you really want to do?
Sounds like your balance and skill is getting there one thing i can def say is , Don't go to WIDE now!
Displacement / Cutting nose bow? Or Round nose allround nose stlye?
If it is really just for pure cruising then as Stumpy advises, the Little 9ft x 30" Tour board by ONE is awesome. This has been a great seller for ladies like yourself. It will take you to the next level again learning to catch small waves but still keep that flat water glide fun. It's a molded construction which most other brands don't offer cos of the cost but the quality is outstanding and light.
If it's more learning to now catch waves and not so much focus on flat water then i might suggest something like the ONE 10ft x 30" longboard style, once again it's a molded construction, super light and strong. This board is amazing for ladies to learn to sup surf on as it doesn't have massive bulky rails and you will be able to turn it nicely. It will still flat water paddle for you but just won't be as fast but hey if you are not about winning races then don't worry about that.
If you wanted the perfect combo for flatwater / Ocean / surf you will endup with 2 different boards anyways. A 14ft race board and a Surf Sup but you will get there eventually.
Here are some pics of the 2 different board's 9ft Tour and 10ft Longboard Style.
Also here is the link for you to check it all out. www.onestanduppaddle.com
Happy Paddling Angela Jackson
Select to expand quoteangie pangi said..
ONE 9ft Tour v 10ft x 30"
Sorry to hijack here, but Angie - can you please advise the approx. RRP for the 9ft Tour? That's a great concept!! Haven't been able to find it on dealers' websites 
Hello all,
Thank you for all of your advice and suggestions.
@cantSUPenough - I find the 30" board quite stable. I actually weighed it the other day and it weighs 12.8kgs. I now know why I find this 10'6" board so unwieldy!
@stumpi and @angie pangie - the 9" x 30" ONE SUP tour/all rounder looks very interesting, I didn't know such a thing existed!
Angela, how heavy is the 9" Tour? Being 5.9" thick, does it fit into the Ocean and Earth single SUP trolley? Is it easy to get a bag for it too? Can you elaborate on the construction of this board as I'm unfamiliar with what a moulded construction entails? Are there layers of fibreglass/carbon inside? How many layers? And importantly, how many layers on the rails?
I will be attending the "Intro to Sup" day at Lysterfield Lake on the 21st of October being run by SUP Vic to try out some boards.
Your questions have helped me to clarify how I will be using my board - 98% on flat/small chop ocean conditions for just cruising around. The other 2% will be for build up my confidence/courage to take the board onto my first small wave.
On my short list is -
9'6" x 31" Fanatic diamond bamboo - I love the girlie look of this board
9' x 30" ONE sup tourer - I like the width and the semi recessed footwell so my feet stay drier
9' 2" x 32" Evoke carbon but I'm not sure if it is a bit too wide at 32".
I wish there was some way that I could take these 3 boards out for a trial? I'm based on the Mornington Peninsula (Vic/Melbourne) and a trial of the Fanatic diamond should be easy. Any suggestions how I can trial the Evoke and ONE SUP?
Thanks again all.
Hi littlemaze,
Have you heard the real estate adage of "position, position, position..."?
For you (and many other smaller females), the equivalent is :
"you have to be able to lift it, you have to be able to lift it, you have to be able to lift it..."
This includes loading it on and off your car, getting it down the sand into the water, and also garage storage.
Anything over (say) 10.5kgs I would forget about.
Also, 32" is too wide for you. Go for 30", maybe 31".
Also look at a Naish Nalu 10'6". They're a fantastic all round board, with excellent resale - although most people keep theirs as they are such a good board.
Ring Warwick or Chris at KR Kite Rebublic in StKilda.
AngiPangi should be able to give you Dave White's contact details for the One boards demo. Maybe PM her.
