Board Recommendation

[palmettothrasher]

Hey everyone,

So, I'm new to the stand up paddle board scene; however, I have been surfing my whole life. My normal ride is anything from a 5'6ish retro-fish to a 5'10 pretty standard shortboard. I'm living in South Carolina and understand the conditions will not always be supportive of my shortboarding ways and have decided to look into paddleboarding (plus my girlfriend wants to learn how). I'm 5'7, 150lbs and a fairly athletic guy looking to get into the sport. I will mainly (like 90% of the time) be using it for riding in surf. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money as this is kinda a beater board or something to keep me in the water on a daily basis. If I really end up liking paddle boarding, i'm sure i'll get a nicer craft board in the future (I have a love for Vernor surfboards and I heard he just got into crafting SUPs). Really dont mind if its a punch-out cheapie.. Just looking for the best bang for the buck.  Thanks ahead of time for your support.

[waveshark]

When i first started out, i was in the same boat. I bought a Jimmy Styks 11'6
Great for learning. very rough. I beat the crap out of it, still is one piece. Surf all kinds of waves, no problem.
Got very thing, paddle, board bag, leash, very thing you need and delivered for around 900
I see they are even cheaper these days. check craigslist.
Very basic, entry level. You might get away with a smaller size. because of your weight.

[surfnpoppy]

I see your a short boarder try to resist starting out short on your first SUP. My first SUP was rated for an intermediate/advanced user and was to small to learn on.... caused me alot of frustration. Recommendation: Buy used and remember whatever you buy now you will outgrow in a year...

[lee]

Take your credit card and buy the girlfriend whatever she wants , you could probably surf a door,so any cheap POS would be fine for you..LOL

[palmettothrasher]

I was looking at the jimmy styke's ones. They make a dedicated surfer w/ a 5box set. I think its a 9'6. I know I could surf a 9'6 board (as its almost double the size of my shorty), but how easy would it be to pick up paddling on it?

About the Starboards -- are there any vendors online? closest distributor is a ways away from me.

Thanks for all the help everyone.