Buying new SUP Gear - need some help...

[Vik]

I learned how to kiteboard this year and have been watching people out on their SUPs when the wind's not blowing.  I'm also headed to Baja for 6 weeks this winter to kiteboard and figured it would be a great time to learn how to SUP.  I live in Western Canada so at home my only SUPing options would be lakes and larger rivers.  But I travel quite a lot so I'll find myself on the Pacific Coast several times a year and go to Baja most winters.

I've never surfed [other than in a sea kayak], but have always wanted to learn how.  I'm looking at SUPs to buy before I head to Baja that would be useful at home on flatwater, but would also allow me to learn how to surf.  If I'm stoked about surfing [which I assume I will be] I'd be cool with buying a dedicated surfing SUP in the spring of 2010.

I'm 6' and 160lbs...I've got decent balance and I'm fairly athletic [do lots of biking, longboard skating, snowboarding, sea kayaking, etc...]

I was looking at the Starboard lineup because I can get them locally.  The two models that seem like they'd be a decent choice are the Blend [11'2" x 30"] and the Drive [10'5" x 30"].  I'm leaning towards the 11'2" at the moment, but I have no SUP experience to go by - just what I'm reading online.  My local dealer is trying to steer me to a 12'+ board and a SUP shop in SoCal I spoke with was recommending a board in the 10' range.

I'd be grateful for any comments you might have...

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[motopilot]

First off welcome.  I am sure you will get lots of responses on this but here is what I have seen lately.  When I and many other started out a couple of years ago, the larger (12') SUPs were the call.  Boards now are getting much more wider (30"+) as they are getting smaller which is making a shorter board more stable.  With you being lighter you could probably go to a "smaller" size board.  Something in the 10'+ size would work great but may make it  a little difficuly in the beginning.  Really if you are going to Baja can you demo some boards?  Or what about your local shop, maybe try a board or two from them?  That would hlep you out a lot.  I sold my 10' SUP to a local guy who weighted 145lbs.  He paddled if for about 30min and did really well.  Now he is on it all the time. 

Some people will say buy something a little over your head and grow into it, others say go bigger.  I think it depends on how much do you plan in SUPing.  If you plan on doing it a lot , push yourself and try going a little smaller.  But really best bet it try a couple of boards and go from there.

[bigdom]

get the 11-2 its a great allrounder for you

the drive is more surf oriented

[Vik]

I'll be demoing 4-5 SUP boards next weekend in a pool.  Best I can do given the weather at the moment in Canada.  I'll be heading to La Ventana in Baja to kiteboard.  I'm not sure what might be there in the way of SUPs as I haven't been there before.  I assumed I should get a SUP before heading to Baja so I'd have a good choice of brands/models rather than having to grab something that I might not like if there wasn't much choice down there.

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[Caribsurf]

I own the Starboard UB 11' 2" and like the board alot, however I outgrew the board and now ride a 9'6".  If I could do it again I would have bought the 10'5" Drive, but being new to SUp I had no idea what to buy.  A lifelong surfer and windsurfer I progressed pretty quickly and I found the UB a little bulky.

The UB is great for flat water and smaller surf and really surfs well.  I never longboard, but this board rides like one .  Go shoreter and wider in my opinion
you sound like a good athlete and should be a quick learner

[jdmotes]

 I agree with Caribsurf... If you were a surfer/windsurfer, I'd be pointing you to a sub-10 footer... If not, then go long young man, go long... My first sup was a 10'6", followed quickly with a 9'11", and now testing a 7'6" fish sup. But I have been surfing for 46 yrs and windsurfing the last 25 yrs of those, too. It just comes down to your purpose, experience and weight...  Later,    JD

[WB_BB]

I would not go any longer than the 11'2 especially if you see yourself using more to surf.  At your size I think that you will quickly out grow the bigger boards and want to go shorter. Think about what you really want the board for, if it is crusing in the lakes and rivers you are going to enjoy a longer board that you get more glide out of, but if you want to surf it you are going to want to go shorter. If you start short do not get frustrated in your first couple times in the ocean, you will fall but quickly get the hang of it. Hope this helps.

[Vik]

Thanks for all the responses.  It's nice to get some extra feedback before dropping $1500+ on new gear.

So if I'm hearing you all correctly the 11'2" makes sense for use in flatwater and to learn to surf on in small waves.  But for a dedicated surfing SUP I should go shorter.

Based on that advice I'm thinking I'll get the 11'2" to learn on for this Baja trip.  I'll keep it to use at home and to teach my GF and friends how to SUP on flatwater.  I'll pick up something 10' or shorter for surfing next year once I've actually got some skills and know what I want better.

Just a couple more questions:

- I was thinking of getting the black camo finish on the 11'2" Starboard Blend...looks durable.  I know that it will be heavier, but I assume on my first SUP and a SUP that will get used to teach other folks that's okay.

- I'll grab a decent carbon paddle for my SUP.  Should I get a cheaper spare in case I break my main paddle in Baja and to give to newbies?  Is breaking a paddle something to worry about or does it not happen all that often?

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[Caribsurf]

If you were to break a paddle more than likely it would be during the learning process so a back up might be a good idea, especially if you are in isolated Baja with no shops around to buy a replacement.  I always carry 2 as insurance.

I still think that at your weight and athletic ability you could manage fine with the 10'5" Drive  if you were going with one board. 

[noworrieshawaii]

I really like the Werner Carve paddle... its pretty inexpensive being that its not carbon but its still surprisingly light... Although you may not want the narrow blade. They have the other model, the Avantage that has the wider blade... very reasonably priced at $219 msrp

The Advantage with Premium laminate fiberglass construction has a balanced blade design which is smooth and powerful. Great shape for straight ahead tracking. The fiberglass oval index shaft adds comfort, control and is lightweight, stiff and durable.

Just a thought if you want a backup - loaner paddle... although its my primary surf paddle - have the quickblade elite for downwinders.

[Vik]

If you were to break a paddle more than likely it would be during the learning process so a back up might be a good idea, especially if you are in isolated Baja with no shops around to buy a replacement.  I always carry 2 as insurance.

I still think that at your weight and athletic ability you could manage fine with the 10'5" Drive  if you were going with one board. 

Cool...I'll get a cheaper second paddle as a backup...I have lost/broken stuff in Baja before and it's a long drive to get spares!  I also won't feel bad giving my spare paddle to someone who wants to try out my SUP.

Hmmm...if the 10'5" would work for me at home on flatwater I'd be interested in it.  I know they'll have an 11'2" x 30" SUP at the demo.  I'm not 100% if they'll have a 10'5"...hopefully they will.

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[linter]

i've had both the 10.5 and the 11.2, and to me they're about equal in terms of flatwater glide but the 10.5 outsurfs the 11.2 by a wide margin.

my vote?  10.5

[JonathanC]

I've just upgraded (downsized?) my 11'2 to the 10'5, agree that there is a relatively small trade-off in "glide" for surfability. The 10'5 is just easier to live with too being that bit smaller and lighter - it would certainly be my choice for a one board solution for a road trip to somewhere like Baja, I'm 145lb.

I went the 11'2" complemented by the smaller 9'6" surfing board to start with but I've now settled into the 8'5" surfing board and the 12'6" distance/downwind/race board combo with the 10'5 for very small wave days and kids and friends. I love the distance thing - never thought I would but there you go!

I'd go the Camo, the padded deck is much friendlier to kneel/fall onto and I don't think it's worth spending more money on the fancier versions. I always put a length of cloth reinforced tape down the "whacking" area on the rails of my boards, takes the stress out of lending it to friends newbies. I also run two layers of good quality insulating tape around the edge of the paddle with a few loops at the join of handle to paddle, helps protect the brittle carbon edge and the board. PonoBill did a great little video about taping the edge of your paddle on kenalu.com.

The only other small piece of advice is about boards and carbon paddles in the sun, UV and carbon are not a good mix, try to keep the paddle and board out of the sun when you are not using them. Release the vent plug on the board if you can be sure that you will remember to do it up before you get into the water!!

As far as paddles go, I started with the Werner Spanker and still use it but I really love my Kialoa Methane. Thought I would use the Spanker for distance and the Methane for surf but the reality is that I use the Methane for everything.

You really can't go wrong with either the Starboard 11'2 or the 10'5.  Have fun.

[Vik]

Thanks guys.  I guess I'll leave my options open between the 11'2" and 10'5" Starboards.  Looks like I can demo the 11'2" next weekend.  Doesn't look like they'll have a 10'5 for me to try out.

Good news is I spoke with my boss and I've got 9 weeks off now to play in the ocean this winter.  I'm stoked to get a lot of kite time in and learn how to SUP.

safe riding,

Vik
www.thelazyrando.com

[D.Kirche]

HI!

I see there are a lot of people steering towards the longer board. I have been riding lately the Naish Mana 10'0. If you are looking for a compact do it all board that's the one. It surfs great as well as learning how to surf. It might not be fast in flat water but it works, and fitting it into a car or van is pretty easy.
The other option is the Naish 11'4 Hokua. A little better in the flats and sill surfs great. Sorry to sound like such a salesman but I am just stoked on these two boards.

D.Kirche