So I have never owned a board before, been on a SUP twice for a total of maybe 10 minutes. The first time I couldn't balance - it was some 8' thing that, in hindsight was probably narrow too - and the second time I couldn't turn the Starboard Wide thing. Somehow I have taken it in my head that a SUP and I are a match made in heaven.

Why did I buy one? Well I have a really bad ankle injury that means I can't run, and dodgy knees which restrict bike riding and I hate swimming, yet I wish to do some cross training to retain some fitness for surfing(my boards can't get much bigger)? The days of five surfs a week are behind me for a while with a young family. I do, however, live two blocks from Geographe Bay, so SUPping on flat water is an easy possibility.

I looked at flat water SUPs but pfft...it was always going to finish up in the surf at some stage - who would I be kidding? A mate tried to get me out in double head high surf last night after I told him the Evoke arrived yesterday. He reckons I am soft for not getting straight out there.

A bit of fitness and a new skill set with the ability to surf some of our outer reef bombies is what I am after. I plan on updating my ignorant opinions and learning curve here. You have been warned. I'll also be asking my questions here rather than other threads.

My first impression of the evoke was amazement at the nose rocker, and the depth of concaves and vee in the bottom. It looks very dramatic. And, with my limited surfboard knowledge, looks like a bottom that should work. The vids I have seen have been in fairly crappy waves, but the bottom has given me a bit of confidence the board will work in bigger, punchier waves when I get there. I will be running the standard 2 + 1 for a while as my wife would shoot me with the cost of different fins. I reckon I want a centre fin anyway initially.

First question, I can surf. How much practice do I need before getting out in head to double head high waves?

I figure I need to be able to paddle in a straight line. Turn a bit. Anything else?