Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: RecSuppa on May 24, 2019, 06:58:15 AM
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Hi, everyone.
I had a closer look to the boards specs in the Naish 2019 line, and noticed that the Hokua GSX 9'6" and the Alana GSX 9'6" have exactly the sam specs in terms of length, width, volume, etc.
Is there any difference in construction, materials, or even the shapes (like a different bottom, for example)? Or Are they basically the same board with different colours and names for two different publics? I'm asking because I've looking for a Hokua and found an Alana for a good deal. If it's the same board, I have no problem it being a "girl's board".
Thanks!
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The Alana is somehow designed for women, but it doesn't really say much about how or why. They do look the same. It doesn't look girly to me.
I would send them an email if no one on the forum knows.
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Looks identical also to the 2018 Quest 9.6, same specs.
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I'll bet Naish is the only company to ever make a 170 liter surf SUP for women. ;D
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The Alana boards have always been, as far as I know, exactly the same as the “men’s” boards, just with a different color and a girl’s name. It is an extreme example of “pinkification” marketing. But actually, I know several men (including our own DJ) who have preferred the Alana color scheme and so have picked themselves up a bargain. I’m rather partial to it myself, in fact. I would certainly own one.
I think the Alanas have usually been the cheaper of the constructions, in years/boards where there have been two. Which is ironic given that women generally prefer lighter boards.
The gender politics of this are probably pretty tragic. But hey ho... at least they are thinking of women, even if not actually going so far as to actually make a range of boards to suit them...
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Very different. Yellow increases the manliness and therefore drives through turns better.
Women riding the regular board may also be subject to hormonal changes. Men riding the Alana may experience puffiness around nipples. Don’t risk it. Better to buy one of each for couples.
But seriously the “female” version of many boards get blown out online often. Keep a sharp eye (and spray paint) out and score.
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How many 200+ pound women can there be who would want to buy this board? Are there really that many that Naish would actually create a board for them?
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Keep a sharp eye (and spray paint) out and score.
This 10’6 Nalu (Alana) is available locally ... but there is not enough spray paint...
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Hi RecSuppa,
I haven't kept up on the changes in the Naish line for the past few years, but....
The Naish Alana was always the same board as a "man's" version... with a different name and color scheme.
From what I see, the two boards in question are exactly the same except name and color.
Several years back,I chose an Alana over a Nalu, because of weight.
I simply wanted the shape, in whichever was lightest.
At the shop, I picked up all of the Nalu's and all of the Alana's and chose the lightest one.
It was an Alana, that I kept for several years.
I loved my "girly man" board.
I always suspected that Naish may have made the Alana's lighter on purpose, but never quite knew for a fact, since all their boards seemed to vary considerably in weight.
I liked the look of my Alana and it held up well.
As far as needing to be a 200 lb woman to ride it:
That is only one opinion of the numbers game.
I know many women that have learned to surf on their 9'6 and 10' Mana's, Alana's and other similar boards.
They appreciated the width and float to help them learn the sport.... not everyone rides low volume, skinny boards.
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At 5'8" on a good day and 160 in wet swim gear, not getting hung up on colors and graphics gives me a lot more options to look at. Even some at the upper end of junior/kids' boards. I don't have any issues with brightly colored flowers on some of my island shirts; I don't think they would bother me on a board. As far as size/volume, my next board will be an all around that surfs waves on the small size reasonably well. The Alana is an all around.
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Probably smart for Naish to have moved away from literal pinkification, but still offer the Alana line. It gets the message to women that they are a customer base that Naish values.
If Naish did reduce volume and weight I think they’d find a bunch of guys on those boards.
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Thanks for the info, guys! I'll try to ride one for a test, let's see how it goes...