340 lb sup er : )

[wa sup 808]

Aloha everyone, I'm a big guy, 6'1 340lb and was wondering if anyone knows of a good sup board for a big boi like me. I would like to use it on the flats at Ala moana as well as some small surf outside courts. I use to surf when I was younger but after getting married and then kids, well you know the rest of the story. I was heavier like 365 a few months ago, but now I'm trying to get back in shape so I lost a few pounds and would like to get back into the healthier life style like suping.. Yeah.. : ) So any help would be a big mahalo's

Oh yeah, I'm in Hawaii if you couldn't tell... : )

[ehrawn]

I shared some waves recently with some bigger guys in Waikiki. Their boards were between 12 and 16 feet long and good 8 inches thick, all custom shaped. I wish I would have gotten the names of their shapers to pass along. I think that's probably going to be you best option, though. It was awesome seeing them on the waves, getting some with the rest of us. Hope to see you out there soon.

[AJR]

Check out http://www.jblairsurf.com/Paddle_Surfboards.html.  Joe talks about a 10'6" x  35" x 5" that works for up to and over 300lb guys.  I'd definitely try to demo as many boards as you can - width is key for stability and the volume will give you the flotation.  I think it's best to get a used board first; you'll end up loving to SUP and as your skill increases and the weight drops you'll start itching for a smaller board...

[SUP Sports ®]

The Starboard Avanti...11'2" x 36"...230 liters

http://surfingsports.com/2010/02/starboard-2010-avanti.asp

Big Dave is well over 300lbs and 6'7"...he has one in wood...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/tag/starboard-tac-wood-sup

http://www.surfingsports.com/images/avanti_bmw1.jpg
http://www.surfingsports.com/images/avanti_bmw2.jpg

The NSP 11'6" x 33" is GRANDE sized...235 liters...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/06/new_surf_project.html

If those don't work...no worries...Starboard will have an 11'2" x 39" "Big Daddy" coming out for 2011...280 liters...basically, a Starboard Fisherman 11'2 x 37" (250 liters) on steroids...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/2010/08/starboards-fisherman.html

[DavidJohn]

Demo the big 11'6" Naish Nalu.. and the AST version is a very good price.

They're a big chunky board that should float you fine and do what you want it to do.. I've seen some other big guys on them.

They paddle flat water great and surf pretty good also.

DJ

[PonoBill]

You'll have to go over to Maui to talk in person, but Mark Raaphorst at SIC has built a lot of boards for big bruddahs. Last year there was a beautiful wide 15' surfboard for a 350 pound guy in the shop. I saw the guy surfing it at Kanaha. Looked regular sized under him--he had to be 6'5". For that matter, my F18 planer would handle your weight easily. I'm 250 and I can walk all over it.

[exiled]

I'll second the 11'6" Naish Nalu. They've been around for long enough that they show up on Craigslist for 800-900 from time to time. I've got one on the North Shore if you ever want to give it a shot.

[stoneaxe]

I was 315 or so when I started on the Starboard 12-6 x 30 Cruiser. One of the best all around boards there is..especially for big guys. Cruises nicely on the flats and still surfs well for a big board.

[RL]

No question Starboard is the way to go. The post by SUPsports is right on the mark and what you are looking for. They know their business. Starboard has the right boards for you and their construction is the best also.

[mdsurf]

The Good News is you have choices.  You can go with the wide and big of a custom.  I don't think you need to go 16 foot.  The Satrboard Avanti and the other big boards are good choices also.  Blair in Ca makes a big boy board too. South County (southcountysurf.com) makes stable and surfable boards for big boys too.  I have a friend that is 6'4" and 340 that rides and surfs the 10er that they make and he loves it.  The keys is you needs some volume under your volume, look for anything over 210L if your a good surfer and good balance or 230L and greater if your a flat out newbie.

Good luck and let us know how is goes for you.

[robon]

Check out the Pau Hana Big EZ. It is a big guy/tandem board that can handle 340+.

http://www.supsurfmag.com/equipment-stand-up-paddle/reviews/stand-up-paddle-board-review%3A-the-big-easy-by-pau-hana.-tandem-anyone?-20090605761/

[wa sup 808]

Big mahalo's (thank you) to everyone for your input. I just p/u the AVANTI to demo, won't be able to get in the water till tomorrow after work. This guy is huge, reminds me of a oil tanker.. LOL, but I think i need all the size and volume I can get. I'll keep everyone posted on how it goes, after this board, I'm going to demo  the 11'6 NSP and then as much other boards as possible before taking the plunge... : ) If you know what I mean.
Once again thank you all for your help. Any other input would be great.

[CT SUP]

Make sure you checkout South County:http://www.southcountysurf.com. These boards are wide and stable and offer unparalleled performance for a big board for big guys. Bonus: John from South County offers excellent customer service.

[Easy Rider]

I will second (or third) what Wardog said about the Avanti.

Great that you are getting to try one out.