starboard noserider

[hasso1]

Hi all . I am interested in peoples thoughts on starboards sup noserider , 10 feet by 30 inches 166 liters. Would like to know what people think of this board and other  comparable boards in flat water and waist high waves. Also as this is a new model for 2012 it is only available in ast candy , do you think the construction range will extend in 2013 ie carbon and if I should wait.

Thanks all

[JonathanC]

Don't own one but I have tried it, fun mellow board. Catches waves very easily and the fine tail lets it turn beautifully. Not used to nose riding style of boards and it felt big compared to my 7'4 POD but I really enjoyed it. As far as different construction....who knows, wouldn't lose good SUPing time over what if's!

[Surfershane]

I trialled this board at Coffs Harbour NSW Australia on the Starboard demo tour.  For my first go on stand up paddles, given the "surf" less than a couple of feet maximum, of all their range I liked this one and the drive model.   I found the concave nose on the noserider was just as useful for stability paddling through the break as what it was for hanging five or ten.  

The biggest problem on the board I rode was that it only had a small centre fin set forward, so as soon as I thought it was toes over I was in a slide.  Granted the thing came around nice and smoothly and I quickly discovered how to make at least 270 degrees before the slack surf took its toll.  Still, if you were serious about getting up there I would consider a bigger skeg.  The other bit off a turn-off was that it was not as response off the rails as a normal surfboard, noting I surf shortboards and mals daily so what else would you expect from something at least twice the volume? Then, considering I was riding almost every wave to the sand in very ordinary conditions, maybe I was just expecting too much?  

Nonetheless, the smaller models in this and another manufactures range didn't really want to go at all in the average waves.  At least I was having fun on the noserider and it did respond to some classic longboard turns especially with the aid of the paddle.  Hammering the Starboard range, for a first go on SUPs, at the end of the two day event this was the board I favoured the most.

(Oh - I rode a few of the carbon models and would not say the noserider would surf any better in this format.)