Mad Dog, Hokua or Spitfire?

I have been using my Naish Mana 9'5'' for the past 2 years and i feel i'm ready for a smaller and more board. At this stage im contemplating a SMIK Spitfire (8'8 or maybe the 8'6''), a Naish Mad Dog (8''11) or a Naish Hokua X32 (8'7 or maybe the 8'2). I weigh 92kgs and i usually SUP around Perth, the occasionally trip south and the annual trip north.

Has anyone stepped down from a 9'5 Mana (or similar) and what board did you step down to?

Hi mate
I started on a TSBW 10 x 32 carbon evoke and dropped to an 8' 10" x 32 sunova skate. A bit wonky and some quality splash time for 6 or so sessions but haven't looked back. Rotten egg gas?
Cheers
Eski

If you plan another 2 years between boards, maybe something that might seem challenging early will be perfect later on. All the boards listed will do it for you, with the X32 most likely to be the easiest transition from a stability point of view, the other two might surf better depending on your ability. If you've surfed prior to SUP, I'd suggest the smaller options you've listed as these will surf better as you get more familiar with them. The trade off is balance early on.

hey hook man .
had a 9.5 mana changed to a 8,8 x32 @ 140 litres .a lot looser no nose diving either .you can cut loose on this one .
i now ride a sunova ,9,1 acid ,it has more speed and less volume at 125 ,litres .

the other board mentioned ,maddog is 29 wide ,,big step down from a 32 wide mana ,
you may have some issues adapting ,but not impossible .

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Hooksey said..
thanks everyone. Im hoping to test a SMIK on monday so will let you know how it goes.

Try get your hands on a hipster twin .. the mana and the x32 are wide boards the hipster is fuller like them but surfs way better I had a 8'3 x32 and it surfed good but did not paddles straight well the hipster paddles great and you can come down a board size or 2 with it.. but the spitfire also is a weapon I have both and love them both each has it's good points not many bad points but the spitfire is more vertical and down the line but the hipster is a whippy speed machine that's super fun and loose

Hooksy,

Come grab one of my Demo Naish Mad Dogs you will love it!

I would be surprised if you wanted anything wider than 29" The Naish Mad Dog is hands down the best well-balanced performance surf sup I've ridden.

Luke

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benjl said..
hey Slugga

What board would you recommend for which wave type and size? Super jealous that you have both!
What sizes do you have of each?

Allround board the hipster is it it's fun but fast it's stable but super progressive it's just fun the twin is like riding a skateboard but not out of control.. the spitfire is performance all round I got it for Maldives trip and comps I'm 100 kg and the hipster is 8,3 x 116liters and the spitfire is 8'3 x 111 liters
I have only ridden my spitfire hand full of times before it got hammered by s stray board in the Maldives but the sessions on it I was frothing