Starboard Blend 11'2 x 30 or Big Easy 12' x 32

[Kasia]

Getting my first SUP and looking for advice.
I think I may be sold to Starboards just the size/model is now a problem...
Trying to decide between Blend and Big Easy.
I'm looking for all around board, not a wave machine as I'm not a surfer and won't be chasing any big or even medium size waves.  Just happy to go in straight line to the shore once I catch a small wave.
I want to be able to paddle around for fun on no windy days and in flat or choppy water or small gentle waves.
I really want to enjoy it, not getting frustrated with it. Don't want to have a hard time trying to get up on it and then getting knocked out with every wave coming under...

oh and I'm 167cm (5'6) and about 58kg (130lb)

So far I tried:
- an old (07/08?) Bic Jungle 10'10 and really didn't like it. Felt fat, unstable and somehow short?...
- something called Costaline about 12' x 28. Much more fun, but didn't like lack of "insert handle" and it was quite heavy to carry around.
- naish Glider . No idea what size, it was my first ever SUP encounter :-) and remember only that the board was really long but very narrow. Took me about 20 min to get hang of it but then instantly felt in love with it doing a small downwinder on flat/small chop lagoon in SA.
If I lived in flat water country I would definitely go for a cruiser, but Irish waters are far from flat and since kiteboarding is my main sport I'm looking for a fun alternative in sea waters on no windy days

[JimK]

Hi,

I'm JimK from Extreme Windsurfing here in New Jersey (USA) But I am a citizen of the Republic of Ireland so I'm compelled to help out a fellow irishman.

As far as these two boards both are WAY to big for someone your size. I don't know  what all is available in Ireland so I'll stick to recomending Starboards.. For someone your size I'd look at

DRIVE 10'5 X 30" This is as big as you'll need
WHOPPER 10' X 34" This is a fun board but in irish surf (powerful) that added width that helps us here on the EC of USA might be a hinderence
ELEMENT 9'8" X 30" This would be a fun choice

(I miight have included the HERO 9' X 33" but it would have the same drawback as the Whopper)

General recommendations
1) Get the highst quality construction you can (In starboards it is worth it)
2) Practice on Flatwater
3) Relax when you get in waves
4) Wear a leash
5) Don't skimp on a paddle

I can't help you with boards but If you have any further questions I'll do my best to steer you straight

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com

[DavidJohn]

At your weight (58kg /130lb) I'd say go for the 11'2" Blend for sure.. It's a great board.

DJ

[Sup-position]

I agree with Jim K

www.Sup-position.com
Huntington Beach, California, USA

[redfour]

Hi Kasia,
I think out of the two boards the Blend would be the better bet. Taking your weight into consideration I don't think you'd need to go any bigger. My Blend works fine as a do-it-all SUP and I use it regularly in the inconsistent conditions we get dealt with here in North Wales.
Best of luck to you.

(Edited) PS. Some sound advice from the next post you read. The surfingsports.com folk know exactly what's what.

[SUP Sports ®]

Definitely the Blend...the definition of the perfect “all arounder” is the 11’2″ x 30″ Starboard “Blend”…one of the top selling boards on this water planet…thousands of them currently being paddled...unbeatable quality and value…no brainer...stable with good glide...comfy...

These comparison pics should help...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/06/sup-cruisers.html

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/06/starboard-blue-touch.html

http://surfingsports.com/starboard.asp

[mdsurf]

Definately the Blend!!!

[stoneaxe]

Absolutely the Blend...great board...and no way you need the big easy at your size. The blend was my go to surf board for a long time and I weigh more than twice what you do and my wife...about the same as you loved it as a cruiser. One of the best all-around boards out there.

[Kasia]

Guys thanks for advice, it's all much appreciated!
So it looks like I will be SUPping on Blend :-)

Thanks to all that suggested other models, but I really want all arounder with ability of flat water longer distance cruising.

Does construction make a big diffrence? I'm planning to go for the cheapest version and it already sounds quite expensive! :-)

[Kasia]

guess what....
Blend and Easy are not available in this part of world until October!!!
Oh no.... What a bummer, I got so excited!

Taking into consideration what I have said before what would you say about Drive 10'5 x 30?
It came highly recommended when I started looking at the SUP boards and now the distibutor recommended it for me when the local dealer called to check Blend availability and to confirm what would be the best board for me. (He was also saying from the start that 11'2 is already too big)

I'm gutted...

[SUP Sports ®]

Hi Kasia,
No need to wait until October...that would eat up the whole summer...
Go for the Drive, then...at your weight it's no problem...
The 10'5" has a fairly flat rocker so that contributes to waterline of the board...you'll get similar glide...
We start lots of lighter folks on the Drive...heck, we've even started lighter folks successfully on the Starboard 10'3" x 28.5" Gun...it's just incrementally a little more challenging...

Since you are on a budget...go for the least expensive AST...it's better than other companies more expensive lines...incorporating wood veneer in the standing area and rail wraps that help to minimize damage from paddle strikes...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/05/quality_matters.html

[Kasia]

I wish I could afford TAC - it looks amazing!!!
But I know I wouldn't notice nor appreciate higher class construction so going for the cheapest version.
Hope I will be ok on Drive!

[VB]

The Tufskin EVA is very comfortable, especially for those long paddle sessions.

[garyb]

Hiya Kasia
I think I may recognise your name from kitesurfing when I was living in Cork recently?
I got the SB Drive out of frustration with the no wind days. I weigh 75 kg and find that it is great for cruising or in waves. You may not think you want to surf, but believe me, it's addictive, even catching the smallest of waves, and for sure easier than conventional surfing. I am now thinking that I want the 8.5  pocket rocket before I come back to Ireland for a 2 month kite/surf/SUP trip this Autumn. All my kiteboarding buddies have SUP's now, we have become much more chilled when it's not windy!
Anyway, I would not recommend anything bigger than the drive, unless you want to go huge distances or enter races.  I regularly do 10km trips on mine. The Drive is plenty stable, my girlfriend had her 1st go on my board last week. Within the hour she was paddling around with our dog sitting between her feet. Also think about carrying and transporting it. Smaller is best!

Cheers

Gary B

[JimK]

Just checking my logic ... didn't I recommend the DRIVE in the beginning of this thread? I also HIGHLY recommend getting the BEST construction available to you in your area...I think we all agree YOU WILL FEEL THE DIFFERENCE in performance

Good Luck, Have Fun

JimK
www.extremewindsurfing.com