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I find it more difficult going to the nose for some reason. I am a back foot dominant surfer so my balance is always weighted more to the rear which i think that plays a part in it. I can cross step back with no problem and feel like the board is sliding below me more than me walking back. If you watch longboarders that are really quick at getting to the nose and back, there is more of the board moving under them than them moving on the board. Its harder to do this on a large SUP of course. The  half step that pono mentioned is key. Once you have momentum and you are committed to cross stepping its flows much easier but getting started can easily through off your balance.

I think its awesome that 3 of us including myself like an 8-10 year old Laird Pearson the best for larger SUS boards. It really is an amazing shape. What fin setups are you guys running? I have tried a 2+1 with smaller sides fins and a 7" dolphin fin that is smooth and loose. i tried a 10" Bonga perkins single fin last weekend and it was nice for noseriding and bottom turns but didn't cut back as well. Needed to be further back on the tail to get it around with the single fin for sure. I have never tried quad but feel like that is blaspheme on a longboard IMO.

My go to for over a year now is my 10'1" x 28.75 Pearson Arrow Laird Hybrid. Only 133L and so much fun. I have owned and sold 3 boards under 9' that were all fantastic shapes but i always just end up wishing i had the Laird so i sold the others and kept the Laird. It's amazing how you can manhandle a big board with a paddle in your hand. Plus i can cruise up the beach a mile or so and surf alone. Went prone surfing a few weeks ago on a 7' Ricky Carroll and while it was a blast, i ended paddling against the current most of the time and once again kept saying, Wish i had brought the laird. Next board is going to be a 10' x 27" longboard.

With your experience paddling i would be inclined to go for something around 30" wide. The wider boards to help with stability but are not as easy to turn and maneuver. I started on a 12' x 33" Bote and quickly regretted my choice. I then got a 10"6" x 32" starboard widepoint. It was marginally stable and a bear to turn. Learned to catch waves a little later and deeper on that one so it served its purpose. For 3 sessions, then i traded it out! I am now on a Laird surfer hybrid 10'1"x28.5". Its actually not difficult to balance on due to the length and shape. It is 133L and is at a 1.35w/v ratio for me. I also had a 8'6"x31.5 F-One Madeira and did like it alot. It was 125L but really surfed as well as the Laird and i am longboarder so i sold the F-One and kept the laird. I have ridden the Laird from knee high to 2' overhead hurricane swell. It turns like a prone board. I am 36yo 6'4" @215.
One trend you will see here is the learning curve being quick if you have experience paddling or surfing. You will quickly outgrow a board that is easy when you get it so i would push yourself. Once you get below 8' your balance becomes not only side to side but front to back. I will never own a board any wider than 30" after 2 years of paddling i have grown so fast that i could go smaller but you lose the glide and paddle ability when you do. My next board will be around 9'6" x 27 @ 120L.
So as you have read already, get a good shape from a good brand. 1.4 w/v ratio is a challenging but totally doable range with a good shape. Try anything you can and stay on Craigslist. I have traded so many boards for other boards i cant even remember how many at this point. I bought one and it has been traded up many times over to my current board throughout my progression. Good boards hold value where as pop outs are too common and saturate the resale market.

i just picked up a Starboard Freeride and love it. 12'2" x 30" and easy to handle. Not a standard surfboard shape so it handles chop very well and not a displacement race board so you can catch a bump if it presents itself. Got last years model at a pretty good discount. There are a few online i have seen for around $1300. I have done all shapes for cruising and would not recommend a planing surf shape for a strict cruiser board where you will encounter chop and current. The slap under the board slows you down and kill momentum in my experience. Get a good paddle too! Boards will come and go but a good paddle is an important tool.

NJS, I have not made an order yet. He is working on a hybrid version that will be the same as Barra in the back half and a longboard in the front. This is more my style so im holding back until he perfects that model. Looking at a 9'6" x 28 at the 120L mark. Maybe this summer if all goes according to plan.

When I removed my old pad I used a multitool and sheared the old foam portion off like a sheep. Then goo gone heavily followed by a layer of plastic for a few hours. The adhesive came off easily with a plastic scraper at that point. Key is to lock in the chemical you are using so it doesn't dry and has a chance to soak through.

I have been rocking the 27N Kevlar surf paddle lately and love it. Stiff but lots if control. The shape gets momentum going immediately.  Made in Florida with a lifetime warranty. Good looking Too!

There will be a lot more info coming out soon on the Barra. He has been testing and tweaking through all the sizes. I am meeting up next week to put in an order for something in the 120L range @28" wide hopefully around 8'5". Can't wait to see the progress. He is a total board guru and has made so many notes on countless boards over the years. I can't wait to try em out.

Creek I'm in Jacksonville so let me know when your coming through. I'll try to break away for a few sessions.

Great Cast of Characters and great Vid. Keahi is amazing on any vehicle!

I did read that. Thanks. I'm looking at the pro model.  Forgot to mention that part. Can't seem to find anything on them good or bad.

Old thread but wanted to know if anyone has any opinions on these boards. Made at surftech. I am considering the 8'6" x29. Thanks

I have to agree that it was both a blessing and a curse. I now remember what really good surf is like, and yet had almost forgot and was truly enjoying 2' slop prior to the swells. I have been a bit grumpy and keep day dreaming about those few rides that were better than anything I've experienced before. But that's what keeps us going on the east coast. It's like training for a big game, dealing with the pain and practice then the game comes. All of the practice pays off and you kill it. I was just happy I put in all the time I have leading up to our fortunate weeks so I could really enjoy it. I've been surfing for 20 years but have been suping for just over 1 year. More fun in good waves on my 10' laird than i ever had on a longboard. New stoke has been formed with the swells and I really want more now!!

After the best day of surf I've had in memory I wanted to give an update on the laird. We have been experiencing hurricane Maria swell for a week now and yesterday was epic for us. Head high bombs, clean, fast and powerful. I took out the 10' laird and didn't regret it. I haven't sup surfed anything of size ever as I usually take out my prone longboard if it's really good. I was in heaven on this board in these waves. First thing was how easily I could get into them. Night and day difference to laying down. Then this board is so fast and carves so well I felt like a pro out there. Getting the best waves of the day on this big board and it felt amazing. Beating sections, off the lips, cutbacks and the finest bottom turns of my life. I've been working hard this summer to lose weight and get good on my sup. It all paid off yesterday and the laird hybrid is an amazing board for its size in all conditions. I'm still frothing from it!!