I've been catching waves and general paddling on SUPs for 10 years, and feel like it's time to try something different.
I like the idea of cruising with the wind over a 10+ km distance, riding swell and stopping at some remote breaks for a quick wave in the way.
I'm wondering what board dimensions would be most suitable for this - cruising distance but also capable of handing some chop and catching a wave?
Hopefully some all rounder boards best meet these requirements ??
Naish 14' glide best all round board easy to paddle stability is second to none,catches small waves
Awesome. Cheers.
How wide does it need be to handle a bit of side chop? Is 26" ok, or do you go 28 or 29"?
The width depends on your height and weight plus skill level. I had a Glide 29.5 and it was great for cruising on flat or chop and that is the most common width for that one, if you have been suping a while see if you can get a 27-28.
If catching waves is involved sounds like what the Sunova Search, 12' or 14' is meant for
Thanks guys. Appreciate your responses. I've got a better idea now - pretty much confirming what I was thinking, which is awesome.
Can't wait to get out on the water on one of these bad boys now ????
Length = 14'. Width depends on your height, weight, skill level. Dave Kalama responded to a question re ideal board width at a session in Melbourne several years ago with (paraphrased), "the ideal width is the width you can go the fastest on without falling in". That said, downwinding is a different skill again to surfing and flat water paddling. So be prepared to have a few swims on your first half dozen or so downwinders. And they are buzz when it's above 20 knots,
Thanks Mark. Would have been pretty amazing to have a session with Dave K. How cool!
I like the advice. My first board was a Starboard Whopper, which I still have and pull out from time to time. At 34", it's a great learning board. I fell off heaps in the first half dozen paddles back then, but after 6 months I always wished I had bought the smaller, 30" board that my mate had bought. His board ripped!
I reckon I'll try go around 26" - 27" wide - still want to have stability in chop, which will be the most common paddling conditions, but should be able to move pretty quick to when conditions are calmer ??
