Hi all,

I have been surfing for around 25 years on both shortboards & mals. I haven't really had too much interest in SUP's in the past, but a recent shoulder injury and the fact that I'm fast approaching 40 has made me start to think they may not be a bad option. I have had four or five sessions playing around on SUP's on flat water and had no problems at all (an Allwave & Nalu), so thought I would give surfing one a go.

I hired a SUP from the local shop last weekend (a big 10'2' x 30 NSP thing), and headed off to the beach. Conditions were really good - around stomach/shoulder high waves, super clean with a tiny bit of offshore. I dragged the big barge down the beach to a nice deserted peak and launched.

I fell off paddling out, I fell off whilst waiting out the back for a wave, I fell off when trying to paddle in to waves. Pretty sure I would have fallen off it if I has just tried to stand on it back on the sand?.

I reckon I must have fallen off the bloody thing 100 times. I caught absolutely no waves. Nothing. Zero.
Eventually after 30 minutes or so of torture on the SUP I gave up and went and got my surfboard, and had a really good session after that.

So whilst I now have quite a bit more respect for the SUP'ers I used to laugh at tipping themselves off - the real question is, does it get any easier? Was I a bit optimistic in trying my first surf in those conditions? Was the board a bad choice? Or am I just a fu*#ing gumby?

How long can I realistically it to take before I can expect to catch a few little tiddlers?

I had been pretty close to splashing out and purchasing something like an Allwave, but am now reconsidering. I am not sure I am ready to be going back to feeling like a complete beginner again - I'd love to hear others experiences, please help!