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Buying first surf SUP when inventory limited

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Created by Kisutch > 9 months ago, 2 Nov 2020
Kisutch
392 posts
2 Nov 2020 11:39PM
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Hey all,

I've been SUP'ing whitewater rivers and flatwater (have a Red 10'8" inflatable) a long time, but only recently discovered surfing and I'm totally hooked. I'm 39, 5'11", 190lb, in Oregon USA. I've been borrowing a friend's Naish Nalu 10'6" -- I don't know width but he says it's around 140L. I can ride down the line and have rode waves to just over head high, but lol I can't really turn at all. I'm most interested in learning to turn and surf more aggressively.

I would just buy a used Nalu but in the US it's fairly hard to get sporting goods right now--many places out of stock and used market limited.

There is a store I can drive a couple hours to that has boards in stock -- it's called Gorge Performance if you're bored and want to see inventory (can't link)


I was considering:
Fanatic Stylemaster 10' (but folks on here reported it has durability issues)
NSP DC Super Surfer 10'x28"
Starboard Drive 10.5' x30" or Converse 9.5'x30"
Rogue Shuffle 9'4: x30"

Any thoughts on whether these are a good choice, or recommendations of what I should do? Really appreciate any potential help, thanks in advance
cheers

slsurf
234 posts
3 Nov 2020 7:11AM
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I would go for the shuffle at 9'4 30 because it will probably be the cheaper option and it has a nice hybrid shape. It will be an adjustment for you and take practice and good paddle technique and foot position to balance on. Anything under 30 wide is way too narrow for you at this point. Try to get a cheaper or used board while you are progressing if you can find something suitable. Also note turning these huge sups requires moving the back foot to the tail and moving it to the toe rail for front turns and heel rail for cutbacks all while using the paddle to lean or balance with correctly. I guess what I'm saying is there is a lot of technique involved don't think a board will solve everything although it is easier to turn a shorter board. If you are ambitious you could even consider a short wide shape 8'6 to 9 ft but 32 or 33 wide.

slsurf
234 posts
3 Nov 2020 7:22AM
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Went to the gorge website, the fanatic allwave at 8'11 x 31 145 liters would actually be my vote. Sounds like it is designed for exactly what you have in mind...

LeeD
3939 posts
3 Nov 2020 7:45AM
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Yeah, the Allwave is sweet.
My Fanatic Fly is solid, really well made, after 4 seasons.

Kisutch
392 posts
3 Nov 2020 11:20AM
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Thanks for feedback so far, appreciate the input!

Freogeezer
41 posts
3 Nov 2020 2:46PM
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I'm a similar weight and probably similar level. I have a Jimmy Lewis Striker 9'5 x 31. Great board if you come across a used one. I know you said the used market is limited, but if you're keen and get in the water lots you'll progress and look to go smaller sooner than you think. If you go new from that store the 'Allwave' would be a safe bet and keep some resale value. I'd go used but I realise that may not be an option for you. Good luck.

Kisutch
392 posts
7 Nov 2020 12:51PM
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Hey folks,

Couldn't stand the stress over US elections so for a distraction I just blew off work, got in the car and went to buy a SUP. Went with the Rogue Shuffle 9'4, it ended up being on sale so saved some money. Holy cow this thing is lightweight. Can't wait to take it out; I'll be psyched even if there's a steep learning curve and I crash constantly. Thanks for advice.
cheers

Kisutch
392 posts
21 Nov 2020 10:04PM
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Finally got out on the new board. At first I was struggling pretty hard with the lower volume and different shape (it's 130L), fell a lot paddling out. Then couldn't catch waves til I tried turning in to them, waiting for them to be steeper. Luckily had some practice with that from trying to surf my inflatable Ride Mega years back. once I figured that out the board was super fun on the wave. I wasn't really able to turn on the Naish Nalu all-around longboard I had learned on, perhaps cause I wasn't getting back enough on tail or getting on rails. But on the Shuffle it felt really intuitive and easier. Also despite being much less stable, Shuffle was better at getting out over waves, maybe cause more pointy nose? Really excited to surf this new board more! I actually finished day on my friends 118L Imagine SUP, wasn't as impossible to ride as I would have thought.

One weird thing, I think my 2019'ish Rogue Shuffle lists for $1600 USD, they have new(?) website with latest version just under $1k. I got mine on sale for 1200, so not bummed, but also curious what's up.

cheers, thanks for help with board buying

slsurf
234 posts
22 Nov 2020 1:49AM
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Cool thanks for review. It can take a lot of practice when downsizing, being able to catch waves right away I would think this board will become quite stable for you eventually. I like to spend some time paddling a new board in flat water to get the sweet spot for the feet dialed in and practice paddling, turning and balance in between surf days.

supthecreek
2583 posts
22 Nov 2020 8:27PM
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Kisutch, you are doing really well for a relative newbie in surf.... ahhhh, the advantage of youth!

So stoked for you, what a great road you have ahead!
Enjoy the new ripper and save for the next step down!

Kisutch
392 posts
26 Nov 2020 9:31AM
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Thanks guys

Psyched to be in that improving beginner phase where everything is novel and super fun. I miss this part of my hobbies that I'm better at.

Feeling less stable on new board was scaring me away from going after bigger waves out of the lee of the jetty. I got out a second time on new board and after warming up in lee of jetty, went down beach for more powerful, head high waves. Everything really clicked with the stronger waves, new board felt great. Did get one awesome wipeout trying to catch biggest wave of day too late. First time losing paddle and reminded me of a yard sale on skis.

I should chill out, but I'm already looking for a second board. I'd like a longboard like the Naish Nalu I started on for when waves are small, or to take my wife/friends out. But damn the used market is so slim here.

Kisutch
392 posts
25 Jan 2021 7:11AM
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Been having a blast on the Rogue Shuffle, I've had it out maybe 10 times now in mostly 4-6 ft waves, both mushy and steep. Learned to bottom turn both ways (still pretty weak on backside), holy cow is it fun to step on rail above fins and carve turns, feels a bit like snowboarding in powder. Only issue so far is the board has some pressure marks where my feet are when in parallel stance. Think I need to worry about that at all? Cheers

slsurf
234 posts
26 Jan 2021 2:06AM
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If it become soft it should be eventually repaired with some fill and maybe a carbon patch, or ask dealer about it. If it isn't soft don't worry about it just minor cosmetic. Some of the brands have really beefy decks or composite to prevent this.

Kisutch
392 posts
27 Jan 2021 3:40AM
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Thanks for heads up slsurf - I think I may have contributed to the pressure marks by sort of hopping to get forward/back on board when paddling in parallel, trying to be more gentle...

micksmith
VIC, 1674 posts
27 Jan 2021 11:59AM
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Have you looked at the infinity range, they have some really great quality boards and being American should be accessible.

Surlygringo
76 posts
27 Jan 2021 11:26AM
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2nd the Infinity recommendation. Also, if you can find a Stylemaster from a few years back I don't think they have the construction issues you mention with the newer ones. I have a 2017 in the LTD construction that looks great after almost 4 years of use.

Kisutch
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 1:34PM
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Oooh the Infinity boards look really neat, just saw a cool custom one out on the water. I posted on here bout looking for a board for my wife, lol now I'm scheming about getting the 8'2" Infinity RNB my local shop has, to step down in volume, then keep my 9'4"x31 shuffle for her:)

Kisutch
392 posts
28 Jan 2021 1:34PM
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Oooh the Infinity boards look really neat, just saw a cool custom one out on the water. I posted on here bout looking for a board for my wife, lol now I'm scheming about getting the 8'2" Infinity RNB my local shop has, to step down in volume, then keep my 9'4"x31 shuffle for her:)

Souwester
WA, 1255 posts
29 Jan 2021 8:57AM
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+1 Infinity Boards - you wont regret it.



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"Buying first surf SUP when inventory limited" started by Kisutch