SUP Race Board for Petite Women?

[DaveSmith]

I'm looking for a quick SUP for my petite 5' 2" , 100lb girlfriend. She has tried the Starboard Pin, Naish 12'6" and 14" glide.  With her narrow shoulders and short height the boards are just too wide for her to get a good angle on her stroke.  We were thinking a custom Bark 12' 6" but before we pull the trigger on a custom does anyone know if there will be a Surftech tough epoxy model for the smaller lighter crowd or equivalent?

What do you guys think of the narrow Starboard race boards.  95% of her paddling will be on a flat water lake in Sacramento, CA.

Thanks for your help.
Dave

[Allan Cheateaux]

My wife paddle a 22" wide 14' paddleboard here in flatwater. Where you going to paddle it?

[Easy Rider]

DaveSmith

I have paddled the Starboard NEW (25" version) and the Surf Race (26.5")
They are both silly fast. 
The NEW is truly a flat water board, where as the Surf Race is a little more "all around'able"
With her weight she could easily paddle the 23.5" NEW - the only bad thing is I am pretty sure there are none in North America yet.   I have the first one booked - and it won't be here for another 3 to 4 weeks.

An alternate board to consider might be the Jimmy Lewis Bombora.  While originally a big wave gun - I have sold a few to smaller gals for flat water and they all really like them.  It is 12'0" x 27.5" 

Hope that helps.

[JillRide45]

Tahoe SUP BLISS

12.5 x 27, and let me tell you it is 27" wide only at the exact middle.  Narrows up very very fast.  No problem placing the paddle. I am 110lbs and this board is just about perfect for that weight.  The Bliss has a full displacement hull and perfect for flat water.  Also comes with a very large single fin which helps with stability.

But to be honest, she may need to just feel comfortable on the board and drop the outer rail where she is paddling.  Twist and lean out over the edge (easier said than done). 

Tahoe SUP is having the first race of their series this weekend at Donner Lake, just up the street from you. 

Any more questions about the Bliss just let me know.

Cheers, Jill

[balance_fit]

Tahoe SUP BLISS

12.5 x 27, and let me tell you it is 27" wide only at the exact middle.  Narrows up very very fast.  No problem placing the paddle. I am 110lbs and this board is just about perfect for that weight.  The Bliss has a full displacement hull and perfect for flat water.  Also comes with a very large single fin which helps with stability.

Any more questions about the Bliss just let me know.

Cheers, Jill

Hello Jill

My sister in law is very interested in Tahoe's Bliss 11'6". She is 5'4" and 150 lbs, with little experience and big concerns about stability. Her interests are flatwater cruising.

She already demo'ed Amundson's 11'3". Not right for her weight.

There is no Tahoe SUP here to demo...your opinions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Be well.

jd

[JillRide45]

Hi
I have not paddled the Bliss in about a year so going from memory here.  I would think the Bliss is too small of a board for her to have fun on.  It did not have super stability and I am 5'7" 110 lbs.  I paddled the Zephyr a lot and liked it for open ocean.  When things got rough I was usually on the Zephyr.  I find that boards with more of a sunken deck have a little more stability for me in the open ocean, but on a lake not sure it will be a big difference. 

Hope that helps, Jill

[balance_fit]

Many thanks Jill...

She has a very limiting issue regarding storage. 11'6" at most. A wider, surfboard style board may do the trick, but she'll have to pay the dues in the longer sessions.

We appreciate your recommendations very much.

jd

[K1SUP]

What about a Suplove Stingray? 

[balance_fit]

What about a Suplove Stingray? 

i believe those are 12 and 14 footers....nice shapes though !

[DavidJohn]

If you want top speed I recommend one of these.. The 14' Jav is so fast and for a lightweight they're not tippy at all.

DJ

[JimK]

I know I'm a big guy but we have sold a bunch of boards to petite girls (particularly recently which is interesting)

Anyway in a perfect world I would recommend a M&M light, fast and low volume. the other board would be the Fantatic Flatwater 27" wide.

But since storage is an issue I would recommend as a expedition type board Fanatic Fly 11'6 it is big dimensionally but it has GREAT glide for its length.
In displacement designs I would look at the Amundson 11'4 TR, Ohana 10'6 And the Boardworks Raven 10'6

Any of these will work (are working) GREAT

have fun if you have any specific questions PM me and I'll get you relevant answers (not mine but of young ladies who are ridding these

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[bean]

The M&M may also make sense since the widepoint of the board is behind the balance point. This configuration provides a marginally narrower platform forward, which in-turn should be a better fit for a person with narrower shoulder width.  Other boards, including the Hovie Comet, also incorporate this design.

[balance_fit]

If you want top speed I recommend one of these.. The 14' Jav is so fast and for a lightweight they're not tippy at all.

My wife paddled the Jav and liked it a lot...but her sister is a true newb and her balance is quite challenged ! Besides, she got limited space...even worse, an intact Jav was on sale recently...$1 k with QB paddle...

[balance_fit]

In displacement designs I would look at the Amundson 11'4 TR, Ohana 10'6 And the Boardworks Raven 10'6

have fun if you have any specific questions PM me and I'll get you relevant answers (not mine but of young ladies who are ridding these

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

Many thanks for your rx. I feel she's inclined for a displacement shape...we tested the Amundson, but it came a tad low in volume...for her weight...
Seems that Tahoe's Bliss deserves a look !
Be well

[balance_fit]

Other boards, including the Hovie Comet, also incorporate this design.

Mmm, got to take a look at Hovie's shapes....thx !