My wife is buying a board at the moment and we are a little stuck as to what to get her.
She is new to the sport and has rented some boards a few times, she has no problems with balance and using them, we have only used them on flat water and I expect most of the time that's all she will do with the new board.

We were looking at about 9.6ft x 30" she did really want a particular pattern of board but this pattern only comes with the surf board nose, I am really not sure if this will be a problem, I have seen the rounded boards are more stable surf board less so.

But how much of an impact does it really have, does it have an impact in just flat water paddling ? will it effect speed or anything ?

This is just a beginner board for her and we are not spending over 1k for including the carbon paddle.

she is small and light so the board will be fine for here apparently if I want to jump on as well it will hold me ok, me being 90kg and 6ft.

any suggestions would be helpful.