Stand Up Paddle Surfing Community Website

need some helpful advice here

Ok....my wife & I have just recently gotten into SUPboarding &am now looking to purchase our first boards. We had started off with looking at the low end pop outs like NSP & Surf Tech, but after haven gone by & discussed things with Tim Nolte at his shop, we are now contemplating having him make us our SUP boards. We figured that going out & dropping $2K for starter boards & then turning right around in less than a year & purchasing more advanced boards, that we would go ahead & take the plunge right from the git-go & invest in some more quality boards, all the while supporting a local shaper in lieu of buying a board made overseas. So...we would like to read some feedback on these issues from some SUPers already in the know & already haven gone thru the process themselves. anyone...???

Comment by Leigh Collett on June 7, 2011 at 4:37pm: Hi Rich! I just purchased my second board through SUP-ATX. I got the board and an adjustable paddle for $825 + free shipping. They are wonderful to deal with and all of the newbies in my SUP meetup group are very envious. A bunch have tried my board and love it. Do check them out at http://www.supatx.com .

Comment by Rich Mallard & Stephanie Hogate on June 8, 2011 at 1:51pm: thnx, Leigh!

Comment by Buzz Lail on June 11, 2011 at 3:18am: Quality equipment makes the sport easier and more fun. If you have an outdoor sports background and are the kind of people who really get into something new and stay with it you should buy better gear. Somewhere on the high side of the middle is probably best. More important than price is design. If you know what you will be doing, surfing, distance, some of both etc. a surf shop can steer you to the right gear. I paddle a C4 Waterman Vortice 14 for distance, and surf an old hard top NSP 11'6". Both are great for me and are well made gear, something else may be much better for you. Most important do not be "afraid of the gear" any SUP you buy that is sized right for you will be fine with a little practice. Limiting yourself to the most stable boards will send you back for a trade in sooner if you get really hooked. Good luck. Buzz

Comment by Rich Mallard & Stephanie Hogate on June 12, 2011 at 4:35am: Thnx, Buzz! already looking to "upgrade" to my next board which looks to be the Tahoe 12 ft rubicon. and just purchased some Osprey 3 liter hydration backpacks for our outings to come.