After hiring a SUP and floating / paddling down a shallow, rocky, sandy creek I'm interested in getting my own and using on similar creeks (and choppy NQ beach).
The SUP we hired was a plastic LLDPE or HDPE (I think). And I guess it would have to be because it handled being run and dragged over rocks, logs and sand constantly. Am I correct in thinking a fibreglass and inflatable couldn't put up with that abuse?
Problem is I can only find that type on Alibaba. Everywhere online seems to be in love with Inflatables.
So could I get away with an inflatable or should I continue searching for a plastic one. I want an all rounder that will put up with abuse. Don't care about performance or anything much else.
Obviously you carn't go past plastic for durability. I have a small plastic boat that gets hell on the beach and rocks and deals with it no problem. Certainly not fiberglass , but there is an inflatable made in NZ, Red Paddle Co, that is extremely robust and portable. Maybe worth a look at there website.
Get a BIC, they're moulded plastic and are practically indestructible as a result... a few on the 2nd hand market, they tend to be used by hire fleets...
or try Sunny King - "Rocky" model. Melbourne based, but I've seen plenty of Sunny King boards in FNQ
I do not know your background, but be careful, your body is not indestructible. It is incredible what permanent damage a small fall in shallow rocks can do.
Ha, I thought the BIC answer was a troll (never thought BIC had a sports division) but yeah that does look like what I'm going for. Was hoping for cheaper still but otherwise...
Thanks Colas. We're talking small tiddly ripples and I'd sit down at any sign of running aground.
I'd suggest the Sunny King would not stand up to the bumps and scrapes of rocks
The Bic would be far more ideal fir this environment
For some reason plastic is a no go here in OZ, there are heaps in the US, actually a nice big US fishing board might suit your suggestions.
Imagine is a US brand that we used to get over here, here is their website.
www.imaginesurf.com/index.php/products/allround/surfer
I guess the OZ market is too small.
I changed my Google searches to Polyethylene SUP and started getting more hits from Australian stores that are stocking the Alibaba models I found. These are very similar / same to what I hired:
www.dragonkayak.com.au/collections/stand-up-paddle-boards/products/stand-up-paddle-board-aqua
supwest.com.au/products/polyethylene-10-sup-now-with-free-paddle/
Pity the shipping from Dragon Kayak is $200 and SUP West don't even offer shipping (at least from their website). I guess that's one of the reasons inflatables seem very popular.
