The Big SUP Board Comparison
Nov 7th, 2007 by billb
March 30, 2008
Wow, I got way behind on this. the board showcase and the paddle showcase are both finished and up on www.kenalu.com. The showcase was a huge success, lots of people, lots of boards and paddles, too much fun.
The end result is a pretty useful resource of information about boards and paddles. Just click on the board or paddle showcase tabs to view the index page. Enjoy, I hope this helps you join the fun.
I will repost all postings about the Big SUP Board Comparison here as it develops. They will be in reverse chronological order, most recent post first.
November 17, 2007: Participants so far
(updated January 28, 2008)
It’s still early in this process, but we’ve got an impressive lineup. I don’t know yet which and how many boards each builder will provide, but it’s clear we’ll have great representation. Below is the list of companies that have responded positively so far. If you have a favorite builder that isn’t mentioned, let me know, I’m sure we missed some, and I’m still waiting to hear from some folks. I’m sure many are being careful, after all, who wants to pay freight both ways to send a board to some guy they never heard of. Here’s the list in no particular order:
C4
Jimmy Lewis
Sandwich Islands Composites
Hobie
Starboard
Bill Foote
Joe Blair
new:
Surftech (Laird, Munoz, Robert August, Takayama)
Naish
Amundson
Bic
Starboard
Hawaiian Island Surf and Sport has agreed to help receive and store the boards (thanks Lenny) assuming we don’t flood the place with big sticks. I’m going to have to rent a couple of vans, the Funmobile isn’t going to hack it. Assuming two boards from each builder we’re already looking at 14 boards, plus I’m going to add in a few standards like my Ku Nalu and Jimmy Lewis 11er.
I’m still looking for testers. I’m certain I can recruit the people I need once I get back on the island. But I want to have as much of this nailed down as I can as soon as I can. I’m also looking for administrative help–I’ll need people to record who has what board and for how long, collect the surveys, dole out the boards. I’ll be shooting board and helmet cam video and herding cats, Diane will be shooting boards and people, but I could use someone with a long lens and good surfing knowledge to take stills in the water. I’m going to have someone for security–I don’t want these boards wandering off. It’s bound to be a bit chaotic, but fun.
I’ll also be doing interviews and feature stuff from any of the builders that show up and the testers. I’ll try to get some SUP luminaries, we’ll see. Most of these guys are hard to nail down, they have their own schedule driven by wind, wave and water. If Jaws is going off there’s no way they’ll hang out and try a few production boards. Not even for a free lunch.
November 6th 2007
So I’ve committed–I contacted about all the board manufacturers I know of, or that you folks recommended, or I could find with a Google search who appeared to have progressive and/or interesting products. So far I haven’t had anyone say they weren’t interested, though I certainly haven’t heard from everyone. At the very least we’ll have the latest boards from most of the big players. I’m really hoping to have some smaller companies exploring alternative shapes and technologies though, there’s a lot of creativity there, and it’s harder for them to get exposure.
I suspect people don’t really understand how much more influential blogs can be than magazines. It’s mostly just timing and credibility though there is sheer volume as well. If someone writing a blog or posting in a forum says they like a product, its because they tried it that day, and there’s no commercial interest involved. This blog had over 40,000 unique visitors in less than a year, and 32,000 of them read the funky little board comparison I did last year. I bet that sold a few boards. Now that I’m actively wrting in the blog again (prepatory to being back in Maui) the daily visit rate has risen back to the 500-1000 per day level.
Then again, if you do a search for “Stand Up Paddle Surfing” or other similar phrases on almost any search engine, Ponohouse comes up in the first five or so listings, generally first page. That was kind of cool when there were 50,000 search results, but with 450,000 it’s pretty significant.
Anyway, the test will start February 15th at Kanaha Beach Park in Maui.
I also plan to do a paddle comparison, but in the middle of planning for it I realized I had no reasonable methodology for doing the testing. I need to work on that. I’m thinking about a combination of technical aspects and subjective opinion. But even the subjective part will be problematic if I have multiple testers since paddle length is critical. I’ll figure it out.
So I need volunteers on Maui. I know enough people there to be able to pull together the group I want, but it makes a sense to make sure beforehand. I want at least two volunteers in each of these catagories: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and experienced longboarder that has not tried stand up (I’m sure there are some that still exist). I won’t be testing officially–I’ll be running around shooting pictures and coordinating. But I’m going to get on every board that doesn’t sink like a stone when I step on it. I’m also looking for varied size–it’s fairly easy to get light weight surfers, but I’ll need a couple of 200+ pounders.
If you want to do it and can commit to at least three days of steady riding, paddling and filling out surveys, then drop me an email Billbab$$$@mac.com (without the dollar signs, those are just to screw with the spambots). I’ll need to know your height, weight, sex (”yes” or “frequently” is not a valid answer), skill level, and a phone number to get in touch with you in addition to email. There’s no money in it (well, you can have half of everything I’m paid–nada) but I’ll spring for breakfast and lunch at the beach. It will be a blast, but it will be work. Hope to see you there.
October 30th, 2007
I sent an email to C4 asking if they’d like to participate in the board comparison. I got a nearly immediate response from Greg Wunderlich saying that they’d be happy to participate and they’ll hook us up with their newest high performance boards. I’m almost certain that Jimmy Lewis will participate, though I probably shouldn’t say that before pinging him. But I know he’s well aware that this blog is widely read, it gets several hundred readers per day, bumping up to a thousand or so every so often. That’s probably as good as some magazines.
I’m going to ask all the other SUP builders I know of to participate, and the paddle builders too. If I get the level of participation I expect it’s going to be a big job. I’m going to need volunteers. I’m pretty sure I can recruit a few folks in Maui that I know, but if you’re going to be in or close to maui in early february, leave me a comment and tell me what you consider your level of expertise to be. I need some absolute beginners, some intermediate and experts. I’d also like to find a good longboard surfer that has never done standup.
We’ll do some video, a lot of still shots, and a fairly comprehensive checklist of likes and dislikes. It will take a lot of time, but I expect it will be a lot of fun and a learning experience.
I’d also like to know if there is anything specific that you want us to consider in these board tests. Remeber that I am at best an intermediate SUP surfer, I don’t pretend some deep level of expertise. If there is a characteristic of these boards you’d like to know about, then I’m all ears.
I’m also wondering what we should do about fins? Go with the board maker’s recommendation or try one or two “magic” fins as well. I’ve been real impressed with a few specific fins that seem to wrok on most boards. I’d like to know your opinion. I want to make this as comprehensive and useful a test as I can.
Do you think you’ll be comparing Ed Angulo models from Tropical Blends? I’m vacationing on Oahu right now and have rented the 11″9′ for the week. I’ve got to say that the difference between this and the 11′6″ C4 Waterman I’ve been riding since July is night and day. The stability is far greater for someone my size (6′2″/245 lbs.)and surprisingly, it surfs as well as the C4.
Bill,
Aloha, and thanks for the great blog! You have definately provided a great source for all paddlers. I am currently makng a few paddles and have emailed your brother. He suggested contacting you for the board test. I am active duty navy and just need some info on the dates so I can take some leave (as long as Uncle Sam doesn’t need me)! I’d be willing to paddle, do admin, and well whatever for the sake of scientific paddle research! Uhh, I mean paddle in Maui when I should really be at work!! Just drop me a line.
Thanks,
Scott Grier
Hi Bill,
We are interesting in participating on your test.
We have 3 or 4 employees who have sup experience.
2 guys and 2 girls.
Please inform us on when we are needed.
Mahalos,
John
hitech surf sports
Hi Bill,
Great to hear you’re putting on a sup board test.
We have 4 persons interested in helping in testing boards and paddles.
If you need assistance, please inform us when you might need us.
Mahalos and aloha,
John Chiu
Hitech Surf Sports
Hi John,
I’ll try to get down to Hitech tomorrow and talk with you–tried to make it today but it didn’t work out.
My buddy (Jim Hyatt) and I are here in Maui, we live here part time. We are long board surfers and sup surfers. We were at Hi-tech today and Steve said you may need testers for your sup comparison. If you still do, we would be more than happy to particapate. My cell number is 209-481-9922 please reply.
Mahalo
Hi Greg,
We’re pretty full up. I hate to turn anyone down, but we have almost as many evaluators as boards. And with the Superferry down there’s a little uncertainty about some of the boards getting here. We’ll be doing some evaluation of new boards quarterly–the showcase is going to be a permanent component of Ke Nalu. If you’d like to participate in that in the future I’ll add your names to the list.
Hi Bill
This is Sean Ordonez from sos boards…
Excuse that I have lost contact but I have been busy the last few weeks..
I have been setting up a new factory…
You should be coming to Maui soon, Please let me know when and where
My cell here on maui is 808 283 8254…
I will be happy to arrange to deliver my sos production standups to you for your testing…
Let me know how else can I contact you,?
sincerely
Sean
[…] Pono Bill, StoneAxe and the gang to test out a slew of stand up paddle equipment. More info here http://www.ponohouse.com/ponoblog/the-big-board-comparison/. I think Bill has something like 20 to 30 boards to test in one day. I’m interested to see how […]
Hi Bill,
When will you have results of the BB Test? Have enjoyed reading comments. Very instructive. Thanks!
Wow. This is going to be great. I have about three good deals available to me and would love to hear the comparisons. I am 205#, 6-1 and am an intermediate prone surfer (longboards and midranges). I also have had several back, shoulder and neck injuries which limit me a bit. The three boards available to me at a good price are: 11-0 Jimmy Lewis All-Arounder (11-0, 4.4″, 30″), 11-6 Naish (11-6, 4.5″, 29.75″), and the 11-6 Southpoint Kalama Timpone (11-6, 4.5″, 28 7/8″). The Lewis is the best deal financially by far, but it is also the shortest of the three (Foatiest: Naish, then Kalama, then Lewis). I certainly like to save money but I do not want to start out on something hard and if the extra half foot is going to make a big difference then I will look at the other boards. The full length single concave of the Timpone is intriguing. I am a fan of pintails (Naish - V tail), but for a board this size I wonder if the squash/square (more drive out of the turn) makes more sense than the smoother turning, better down the line drive of a (rounded) pin.
I am thinking I will use this more as a flat water/extremely small wave rider, as I am a prone surfer and love that. That said, who knows? Maybe I fall i love with it. But if that happens I will probably pick up a much higher performance board at that point.
The Naish is also a windsurfer and has a mast track and a handle built in (I am a sailor but not a windsurfer - might be fun to have the option)
Any advice is appreciated.
Sorry for the long post!
James
Actually, of the three boards, the JL 11 is the easiest to ride and the floatiest. You wouldn’t think so from the dimensions, but it’s true. we didn’t get to test the southpoint, so i can’t comment on it. both the Naish and the JL are excellent boards. I weigh 245 and own a JL 11er (among others). One of my all time favorite boards. I’m also a longboarder with shoulder problems. The last time i paddled a longboard was eight months ago. I paddle a longboard for day and my back hurts for two, but I SUP almost every day. My shoulders hurt every night, but I can pop out of bed and do it again the next morning.
Longboarding is sprint exercise, SUP is core plus aerobic plus sprint. Most people lose a couple of belt sizes the first few months.
The JL surfs well once you get used to it. You have to ride the rails, and then it’s fast, and kind of loose. If you get it, use the huge fin for the first week, then get something smaller, like a 10.5 Faberow flex. the big limitatiion of the JL is that it has no glide–it goes as far as you paddle it, then slows quickly. the Naish has more glide. If you really plan to wavesail, then you want the Naish, if you want an intro board that is very stable and surfs well, get the JL. the Naish is actually a little tippier. You should try all three if you can and see what you like best.
I know lots of longboarders who said they’d never switch to SUP except for small waves and flat water. Never lasts. It’s just more fun catching and riding thirty waves an hour than five, and surfing anywhere instead of just a few reachable breaks. I swore I’d never sup bigger waves–who wants to be tied to an aircraft carrier when the green room closes on your head. I was out yesterday in overhead sets at Kanaha. Never even thought of going home for the longboard. Sup is extremely seductive.
Thanks Bill. I am a decent surfer so the JL sounds good - I ride Harbours, Cooperfishes and Tylers with some proficiency - not a lot, but some! Harbours have full rails and tend to be very glidey while my Coop has superpinched rails and is fast, the Tyler has a boatload of concave and pinched 50/50 so it is slow and technical.
I do want to use the SUP on flat water a good bit though and the lack of glide with the JL is a bit worrisome - is it hard to get into waves with it because of this? I expect not. The deals are these: The Naish for $950 with a pad, the JL for between $750 and $850 with pad, paddle and bag.
I do not care about the windsurfing really…
Just comes down to the glide (do I need it) and surfability I guess.
Thanks so much. I am really looking forward to your comparisons. I wish they were out now - I might go for something else if there were a board that was more stable, had more glide and surfed easier than the JL. Of course, I wouldn’t get that deal…
J
(Sorry to post such a blog hog personalized note here but I couldn’t seem to find a contact email for you - maybe just a bit blind!)
there’s no problem with long posts, if you look at the SUP 101 postings you’ll see some that go on for pages–it’s all good. I prefer to answer questions online so everyone can gain.
Wow, $750-$850 for the board, paddle and bag is FREE. I don’t think i could beat that deal buying direct from Jimmy. Is that the new JL paddle? if so, it’s Quickblade blade and his own shaft. I haven’t tried it myself, but I saw Jimmy using it in some nice big waves the other night at Kanaha. Looked pretty good, though the big Peahi blade he had doesn’t work for me with my dodgy shoulders.
You can’t go wrong with either board. I really enjoyed the Naish, haven’t tried it in bigger waves, but I suspect it’s great.
the JL surfs great, it just takes a few sessions to understand the mechanics. the squash tail makes it fast. the only guys that don’t like them are the ones that either don’t like to move around on the board, or never replace the fin. the lack of glide isn’t that big a deal, in fact i tend to use my JL for upwind/downwinders (paddle against the prevailing wind direction until it picks up, then turn around and return) just because it’s a better workout. I use my Starboard 12′6″ for real downwinders because if I was slow my buddies would beat me back to the car and drink all the beer.
the Naish has better glide, but that’s because it’s a little narrower and more of a pintail. That also makes it a little tippier, especially when you step to the back of the board to turn it in front of a wave.
I read somewhere on one of the blogs that Starboard made a board using the Ku Nalu for the mold. What model did that become in the Starboard line? If you tested it, how did it compare to your original? My use priority is: flat water glide, windsurfing, and then surfing. I live 8 hours from the coast and 2 minutes from a lake.
Hello Bill,
THanks for sponsoring this site. Couple of quick questions. When will the SUP comparison be posted? I am trying to decide between the Naish 11′6
and the Admundson 11′3. I surf and windsurf so want the windsurfing option. I am just learning SUP and want a beginner friendly board to teach others and tandem. The Admundson looks to have a lot of great features, built in eva deck and paddle guard. THe Naish looks extremely thick which could be good for me my weight 210lbs 6′2height, but maybe harder to handle in the waves. The Admundson looks thinner which could be more responsive in the waves but perhaps more tippy or less floaty?
ANy help is appreciated.
YL
YL–the showcase IS posted. It’s on http://www.kenalu.com click on the Showcase button. I guess I should do a ponohouse post to make sure everyone knows that. we’ve been working so hard on Kenalu we kind of forgot to do that.
Smitty–the Starboard version of the Kenalu is their 12′2″ which they are unfortunately discontinuing. It’s a challenging first board if you’re new to the sport, but it’s fast, surfs well, and is the best wavesailer I’ve found.
Billb, thanks heaps for the outstanding site! It is great to find a place with truly independent reviews. I am looking at purchasing a 11′6 C4 Standem as there is a slightly used one close to me for sale. On the review at Ke Nalu it states the Standem has a volume of 137 litres. However, the 11′6 Naish is only 3/4 of an inch wider and has 230L of volume. Is the volume for the Standem incorrect? I am 250 lbs and will certainly need the volume, but the numbers for the standem dont seem quite right. I tried to post this on the Ke Nalu forum, but couldnt figure out how to post there. Please feel free to contact me on my personal email address. Cheers!