First SUP dilema - Element do-able?

NORTHY · 19-Jul-2010, 04:02 PM

Hi

Im looking to get into SUP - i can surf badly/slowly on minimals etc and have windsurfed for over 20 years (currently ride Mistral twinnys); and weigh 82kg ie 185 lbs.

Im looking for a SUP for clean grnd swell wave riding (chest to knee high); playing with the kids; adding a sail and doing some lightwind stuff maybe, and some flat water paddling - a bit of everything!

On this basis - i had chosed the 10'5 drive as a great compromise board

HOWEVER - i measured my van interior and it wont fit in (its a long wheel base VW kombi with a row of 2+1 seats for passengers behind the drivers). The max length under the rear seats and upto the drivers is about 9'8. (and I dont really want to add a roofrack if i can help it, or wont get under barriers and i dont want to take seats out...thats the reason i got the lwb kombi).

So - as alternative - will the Starboard 9'8 Element be fine as my first board....or do i need a rethink on transport ideas to accomodate and better to go with the Drive? I know some people have used the 9'8 fish as a first board...but they all seem a lot lighter than me.

Many Thanks - appreciate the feedback

Sup-position · 19-Jul-2010, 07:09 PM

You will have a greater learning curve with the Element as your first board.
I weigh the same 185#.
I started with 10' boards and just made myself get there.
I am sure I provided lots of laughs as I was the only SUP around.
Having Surfed for 40 years it was time for a challenge.
In the beginning I would SUP for an hour then Surf for an hour or 2.
Gradually transitioning to Sup only now.

If you have an opportunity to Demo some boards
you will have a better feel for weather or not the Element is your board.
I think it is doable but it will require alot of fortitude.

www.Sup-position.com
Huntington Beach, California, USA

19-Jul-2010, 04:02 PM	#1
NORTHY New Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3	First SUP dilema - Element do-able? Hi Im looking to get into SUP - i can surf badly/slowly on minimals etc and have windsurfed for over 20 years (currently ride Mistral twinnys); and weigh 82kg ie 185 lbs. Im looking for a SUP for clean grnd swell wave riding (chest to knee high); playing with the kids; adding a sail and doing some lightwind stuff maybe, and some flat water paddling - a bit of everything! On this basis - i had chosed the 10'5 drive as a great compromise board HOWEVER - i measured my van interior and it wont fit in (its a long wheel base VW kombi with a row of 2+1 seats for passengers behind the drivers). The max length under the rear seats and upto the drivers is about 9'8. (and I dont really want to add a roofrack if i can help it, or wont get under barriers and i dont want to take seats out...thats the reason i got the lwb kombi). So - as alternative - will the Starboard 9'8 Element be fine as my first board....or do i need a rethink on transport ideas to accomodate and better to go with the Drive? I know some people have used the 9'8 fish as a first board...but they all seem a lot lighter than me. Many Thanks - appreciate the feedback

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19-Jul-2010, 07:09 PM	#2
Sup-position Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Huntington Beach, California, USA Posts: 102	You will have a greater learning curve with the Element as your first board. I weigh the same 185#. I started with 10' boards and just made myself get there. I am sure I provided lots of laughs as I was the only SUP around. Having Surfed for 40 years it was time for a challenge. In the beginning I would SUP for an hour then Surf for an hour or 2. Gradually transitioning to Sup only now. If you have an opportunity to Demo some boards you will have a better feel for weather or not the Element is your board. I think it is doable but it will require alot of fortitude. www.Sup-position.com Huntington Beach, California, USA