Hi all, I'm 104kg (5"11") and have a 2017 Naish Mad Dog 8' 6", 29" wide and 121L volume. Just wondered if it is possible to learn how to SUP on this board, considering my weight? I bought the board because I wanted to have a weight loss target (I weighed 114Kg 7 weeks ago and I'm aiming for 100kg by mid next month.) and at the time thought it was a good idea to get into SUP. I tried mounting the board when I was 107 kg and I couldn't even kneel, let alone stand. I've read that some heavy riders ride low volume SUPs. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
I'm 108kg-ish... the smallest board I have surfed at this weight is 126L. 135L or so is very comfortable for me, 130L is fine also. I've been SUP surfing for 3 years and am in the water about 3 x a week.
Very hard to learn on a 8'6 mad dog at 100kg IMO, best to get something wider and longer to start with and keep the Mad Dog for when you've got some experience and are weighing under 95kg max. If you try and learn on the mad dog, all that will happen is you'll get super frustrated and not enjoy the sessions...
I'd look at something 9'5" - 10' long, 31" wide, about 150L. You'll keep this board forever, great to learn on, great on small weak days, great for family/friends to use... it'll make your progression so much faster and more fun.
What hoppo .said .
I'm 98 kgs and can ride a 8.7 at 120 litres ,in nice calmer days and off shore wind .in waves .my favourite board .
but it has taken me 4 year to get to this stage .and many different boards ,but we won't go there ..lol.
you will need a bigger board . game changer was a 10 foot board .learnt so much on the 10 mana .then went to a 9.6 170 litre ..
Ive got a different opinion ,Im thinkin if you want to ride a smaller board for whatever your reason you should jump in the deep end as you have.
Surf stance for paddling,paddle every chance you get ,flatwater ,surf, whatever.Dont be shy about sitting out the back or spending a bit of time on your knees.
Biggest key for surfing though is learning to hit the sweet spot when jumping from sitting/kneeling, to paddle into waves.
Just stick at it dont let it get to you when it throws you the payoffs on a wave are well worth it in my humble opinion.
My experience as a 98kg beginner on a 110l shortboard shape was failure. As a 30+ yr surfer the board looked good to me and felt good carrying. In a swimming pool I could stand on it ok and paddle around, I'm on it.
First time in the ocean. Fall, fall, fall..........
Wondering if I should keep it up until I got it, I searched the internet for support. There I found out that the early adapters, Laird and company, started on BIG boards.
Not wanting to kook out forever I sold the little beauty and bought a starboard Big Easy. Huge and heavy but immediately as stable as rock, that board got me through a learning process that had a constant upward curve.
About a year later I broke it, but by then I was fully surfing a standup. From there on out the boards got smaller and sexier. I've got two sub 120l boards now and they are my favorites.
I see guys learning on small boards all the time and just feel sorry for them.
I'd also say no.. and also what Hoppo said.. 
"I'd look at something 9'5" - 10' long, 31" wide, about 150L. You'll keep this board forever, great to learn on, great on small weak days, great for family/friends to use... it'll make your progression so much faster and more fun."
I also agree with the other guys. Get something bigger in the Buy N Sell, but hold onto that Maddog. It will be a good motivator if you can hang it on a wall or somewhere you can see it each day. Once your comfortable on the bigger board and have hit your target weight, you shouldn't have any problems with the smaller board. And you'll be stoked you hung onto it.
No way. Trying to learn on too small a board is totally counter-productive, as it slows immensely your progress, even stops it, and will disgust you.
Once you know how to SUP, and can analyze what is going on, using a slightly challenging board can be helpful. But now, you need a wide (32"+) board with at least 160 liters volume, with a wide nose and tail.
Select to expand quotecolas said..
No way. Trying to learn on too small a board is totally counter-productive, as it slows immensely your progress, even stops it, and will disgust you.
Once you know you to SUP, and can analyse what is going on, using a slightly challenging board can be helpful. But now, you need a wide (32"+) board with at least 160 liters volume, with a wide nose and tail.
agree!
Definitely start on a bigger board mate. I started on an 11'6 plank and progressed to smaller boards once I learnt about sweet spots and balance. Which comes with time and experience in the surf. I'm currently 88kgs but started around 95kgs. I'm on a mission to get to 85kgs so I can ride my JP Surf which is 8'6" 29 wide 115L (i think) I wanna take it to Macaronis (Mentawais) in August. It's loose and rips. i'm nearly there but still find it a bit tippy. I think 80kgs is ideal for this board but I won't get there so 85 will have to do!
I agree with the other fellas re keeping your Mad dog but starting off on something wider and with more volume. You'll progress WAY faster this way. The 10' Mana is a fun board but more of a Mal shape. My go to board is a Hokua 8'8 X32 wide. 141L It's a short board shape and very stable. I've had this board since 2014 and still love it. i've ridden Ulu's, Padang Padang and Canggu with it. No probs. Anyway, chew on the meat and spit out the bones as they say.
Cheers :)
Greg McK
Cheer lads. Much appreciated. I'll look around for a new board and keep hold of my Mad Dog for when I've got some experience.
Select to expand quotesavfer said..
Cheer lads. Much appreciated. I'll look around for a new board and keep hold of my Mad Dog for when I've got some experience.
Very wise
Select to expand quotecolas said..
No way. Trying to learn on too small a board is totally counter-productive, as it slows immensely your progress, even stops it, and will disgust you.
Once you know how to SUP, and can analyze what is going on, using a slightly challenging board can be helpful. But now, you need a wide (32"+) board with at least 160 liters volume, with a wide nose and tail.
Agree 100%. Me and two mates all brought boards within a month of each other. They got a a 9"2 and a 9"6. I got an 11'2 and the difference between the number of waves alone is significant. Let alone how much more stoaked I am after each session.
