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Gear Talk / Yet another new board thread

« on: September 11, 2023, 08:11:45 AM »

Apologies in advance.

Keeping the question relatively simple I'm currently using a Loco Aztec 8' 7" X 31" as my wave board. Not a familiar brand to many on here but the board is of a similar ilk / style to a Starboard Hypernut. Squarish outline, pulled in rails, similar bottom shaping including a channel.

It's been a bit of a game changer for me. Stability is excellent but it also picks up waves easily, even small stuff which is what I end up surfing most often. Still loads to learn and I'll continue to use that board.

Limiting my questions to the stupid end of the scale is there any other board out there that's a little different but shares similar characteristics with regards to stability and the ease in which the Hypernut style of boards pick up waves?

I don't to replace the existing board, I'd like to compliment it and allow my little lad to use it and grow with it but also offer me something different. Anything and everything is too big for him now (he's only 9 years old) but I give him a shove onto small waves and we can play on some flat water etc.

We generally only get small surf (small UK stuff where 2' can be a good day) hence the small wave performance. Probably round the 2' mark can be a good day if the wind behaves.

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General Discussion / Does such a board exist?

« on: July 05, 2021, 04:03:11 AM »

Daft question. I still consider myself a beginner SUP Surfer thanks to a b*****d job and COVID basically limiting journeys to the beach. Anyhow, I'm making a concerted effort to get out this summer and develop those skills. My current board is a 11'6" Hypr Hawaii Gun. Great board but weighs a ton and has an awful carry handle.

My sessions basically comprise of getting up early going to my local beach about 20 minutes away and trying my luck. The surf there is poor, really poor. It is not a recognised surf spot, great kite surfing spot but no real waves and any wind blows it out into a chop suey soup. Yesterday, sub 10kn cross on breeze was enough to make a mess of the 2-3' swell that was present.

Anyway, as I slowly but surely work at improving my head will turn towards a new board to reward myself later this year. I am in no rush. As I'm more often than not in poor surf, small waves and loads of chop the shorter stubby type boards seem a logical option. I'm probably looking at something in the 9' range, maybe shorter but I'm more concerned about making sure the board has enough stability, and equally important enough glide and speed to actually catch the slush I usually find myself in. I dont see me going below 130L. Any lower would probably too bigger step and secondly I'd rather have a high wave count over bragging about being able to stand on 95L board in the car park. I currently weigh 85kgs (187lbs) but that needs to come down (another area I'm struggling with).

So is there such a board out there that actually blurs the lines between a stubby styled board but has some leaning towards a more performance or maybe a long board type style?

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Gear Talk / Considering a new board even though its probably a bad idea

« on: May 21, 2019, 09:29:40 AM »

Hi All

After a little advice. I'm considering a new SUP basically because the mood takes me but also to try and get more from the conditions I have here in the UK.

I'm currently riding a 9'8" JP Fusion (2017 I think) and I'm a beginner in the surf, weight is currently 85kgs and that will need to come down. I flat paddle this ok and the wave count is slowly but surely starting to come along but conditions at my local beaches are truly awful. Being unable to select my SUP days is also near impossible so my progress is frustratingly slow. I try to get out when I can and can encounter anything from flat clam to conditions where I'm kicking myself for not bringing my kite surfing gear.

The waves are often small, blown out mush that are basically a real mess and the sea state is often really choppy as well. I'm finding that the Fusion can turn quick enough to get on them when it's like this but isn't fast enough to actually catch them. I struggle with the chop but that's more of a me issue but the board needs a wave that's pretty decent to get going.

My head says stick with the Fusion and just keep at it and I will, but I don't see the harm in asking round to see what other people suggest as future options. UK doesn't have the greatest SUP market sadly. Starboard are here, JP are here, RRD, Naish, Fanatic and that's really about it.

Cheers all

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The Shape Shack / Can you reshape a SUP?

« on: September 28, 2017, 07:22:59 AM »

Rather odd question perhaps but there's sense in the madness.

I have a Starboard Widepoint 11'2" which has delaminated near the nose. This is a warranty issue and is currently being addressed with Starboard via the dealer I purchased the board from. Now Starboard have asked for lots of photos and even request I cut a hole in the delaminated area and photograph that. That's done.

Now they're requesting that I cut the board in half and photograph that for them. Not sure why exactly but I may (I cant see them wanting the board back in two pieces) end up with two bits of a SUP to dispose of. Kind of a waste I thought. So I was thinking of chopping the nose off, through the delaminated area and photograph that for them.

I was then wondering if it's possible to do something with the big bit left over. It'll be way over 8 feet long and might, long shot, but might make a nice little surf SUP or board for the little one when he's a little older.

Thoughts anyone? Anyone had any similar experiences and would greatly appreciate any advice on what's possible

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Gear Talk / SB Blend ASAP vs Naish Nalu GS 11'4"

« on: March 04, 2017, 01:13:15 AM »

Hi All

just wondering if anyone's done a comparison , or ridden both or just have thoughts in general on the two boards above?

Got the opportunity to pick up either for reasonable money withe the Blend being £200 cheaper.

I'm looking for a do it all type platform. I cant really pick and choose my SUP days so I need something that can cover as many conditions as possible. It'll be a bit of a do it all type board  - touring, take the little one out, start in the waves, even a spot of fishing perhaps.

Particularly wondering about construction (and performance I guess) and whether the Naish would be worth the extra. Also worth noting that these will be 2015 / 2016 boards.

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SUP General / Noob Allwave sizing dilemma

« on: June 18, 2015, 03:26:31 PM »

Hello First post and a fist as usual its looking for advice on board.

having spent ages trawling through as much info as possible throughout various sources and always seemed to come back towards the Fanatic Allwaves. For me The fun will always be in the surf but having a board that offers a good solid platform for a bit of gentle touring or whatever. Even playing with the little'un at the beach.

To start with I've no issue in buying a slightly larger board, one that will give me a good introduction to small waves and fill in with the playing round etc. A smaller board can follow if I ever get good enough to warrant one for more powerful surf.

I'm 5'8" tall and weigh somewhere between 80-85kgs in a wetsuit. I've kitesurfed for years but have no real traditional surfing or paddleboard experience. I plan to paddle board when the wind won't allow me to get a kite out (I say that now though)

That  brings me to my dilemma. My understanding is I could probably get away with an 8'11" Allwave but starting out and being able to catch really small mushy surf I'm leaning towards the 9'1" or even the 9'5". As said I'm happy to go larger on the understanding that they will help me starting in low surf conditions, have fun with the little'un and the likelihood that smaller board will be needed one day.

Cheers in advance