First, I have been reading and learning for two years and you have been a wealth of info. Thanks.

I am trying choose a new Naish Nalu for rough water paddling on a big lake (80% of the time) and learning how to sup surf. All the recommendations I have seen have been for heavier riders and I am looking for a light weight person. The surf will be knee to waist high, nothing big. Paddle distance can be one to four miles. We have two race boards for flat water and a Nalu 11'4 GS. This new board is mostly for my wife. She is 5'9 & 127 lbs. She is a cautious paddler that doesn't like to fall and I'd place her as an advanced beginner. She likes paddling our 11'4 GS in choppy water and sticks to it like glue. The newer 11' nalu sounds like it is more stable and responsive, but slower. I am worried that the 11' will be too slow in choppy water paddling, but might be easier in the surf. I expect for a heavier person, like me at 190lbs, the 11' will be slower than the 11'4. For a light person will the 11' paddle slower than 11'4? Will the 11' turn that much easier than the 11'4? I expect both will need some cross stepping. Should we buy a 11'4 gtw or 11' gtw?

I know she can ride a shorter and wider board and we have done it on vacation. But, paddling four miles is not fun on a slow board. I also have access to low prices on the Nalu's.

Thanks
Kevin