well,i just got my new 10`27'4.5' softop laird board. I`m 5`11 and 210 lbs, I have been surfing/skateboarding for about 26 years,snowboarding for 9,and kiteboarding for 8,so i feel like my water time is a valid resource. I have only Sup once before on a 11`6 and was a litle worried about getting something so small, but i figured with my background the learning curve shouldn`t be that bad?? yesterday i took out my new sup, at first i did`nt think it was going to float me!! ocne i got out past the waves "only waist-ribhigh"with strong offshores, i was able to find the sweetspot, i was having troulbe so my buddy let me ride his 12` laird softop,what a differnece!! i soon found how to really use the paddle and get around a bit. he was catching waves no problem,he 5`10 about 190lbs. once i felt like i had it i got back on my board. it helped ALOT to ride that bigger board for awhile, but i found with the tide getting high and the offshore wind,it was hard to catch the waves, so i put my paddle underneath me and caught some waves belly paddling, just to see how the board worked. I was amazed at how it turned and went down the line, i was able to cacth the waves really early so when i stood up i had my paddle in my hands and i was able to use it and help get in the waves a little better, WOW the speed!! i was able to get up on the nose and then all the way back and use the paddle to help me do cutbacks!! WOW i`m soo stoked, can`t wait till i actually can paddle into some waves, i think the 27' wide might be a little to narrow for a beginner ,but with practice i`m sure it will work out for me, i`m going to do some flat water training,instead dealing with the waves ,to helpout. If your a guy"person" about my size i would say get this board,itsreally fun in the surf and i might actually use it as my longboard just for fun!
I've tried the Laird 10' non-soft top model. I assume they are the same.
This has to be one of the most high-performance boards in the sup world. Very little volume from mid-point to tail. And an aggressive thruster fin setup. Very snappy turns and pumping down the line are what this board is all about.
I am surprised that not many seem to know about this board. Perhaps it is too closely associated with the Laird 12', which is more of a starter board.
At your weight, the tail must be sinking alot when you're paddling around.
Richard
Atlantic Beach, NC
yeah i had to move up a little to just above the grey strip. and i`m still learning,did some flatwater training yesterday,and it floated me supper, i bet i`ll loose some of this weight real quick!!