Howz it? I'm a beginner looking to get into SUP surfing over in the Santa Cruz area and I need advice on my first board. I'm 5'2" and 145 lbs. I surf a 9'6" longboard normally. I'm being offered a previously used Naish Nalu Bamboo 9'0" for a pretty good price ($900), but I'm wondering if this is even a good board to learn on. I've gone on flat water cruises around the harbor using a 10'0" Naish Mana board and I've had no problems with stability on that. The dimensions of the Nalu board are 9'0", 26.25" width, 4" thick, 120L. Would you recommend that board as a first board for me? If not, what would be better suited for me? PSH? Naish Mana? Thanks in advance for your help!
The price is good because it probably isn't selling. It's way too marrow for 99% of the population.
Demo and decide for yourself. If they won't let you demo, shop someplace else.
Yep, way too narrow and not much flotation.
I'm 5'11" 160lbs and ride a 11'4" Naish Nalu out at Pleasure Point and love it. You want to find that nice balance between too big and too small and still have something you can grow into.
I've got a 9' Nalu & I'd agree , not really a beginners board. It is, however, my all time favourite board when its 2-3' and not too choppy. I'm 80kg , and the 120l volume floats me fine. It does take a little getting used to due to the width, and I fall off it a little bit more often than my JL but its a trade off as always between stability and performance on the wave. I've got a Jimmy Lewis Mano 9'4 ( fantastic board)which I use when its bigger and with any significant chop. The nalu carves bottom turns beautifully - none of these sliding type of turns that I hate with the over 28" wide boards. My daughter ( intermediate) uses the nalu happily for surfing distance paddling , but she is only 65kg. The rule if you're beginning has to be get a longer , wider board to master padlling / wave catching , then add a smaller one for the surf days and keep the longer one for cruising / workout when no surf.
the board is fun..I only tried it very briefly, but could ride it. It was really choppy that day though. Personally I would lean towards the mana series. The Nalu is extremely narrow, but paddle well for the size and volume. I'd say definitely not a beginner board, even if you are 40 lb lighter than me...