Looking for advice on best sup for taking the pooch. She likes to wander, so needs to be fairly stable, but not too huge. Combined weight for me and the dog will be approx 100kgs. Will mostly be paddling on flat, and occasionally on small surf. Am considering inflatables as well as something like a Naish Mana or Nalu and don't want anything too heavy. Any advice appreciated.

I'd be looking for something in the 10'0-12'0 range, at least 30" wide, with a full deck grip that goes right to the nose of the board. Dogs love sitting right at the nose of the board, or wandering around the entire deck, so giving them grip everywhere (especially if you're planning on catching some waves) makes it easier for them to stay on the board. It will also stop the dog from scratching the board if there isn't some grip for it to stand on.

Inflatable is an option too (I took the dog surfing in small waves on one today), but you will notice every movement the dog makes if they're running up and down the board. So if its a small dog it won't be too much of a problem, but if you've got a large dog, I'd suggest sticking to a solid board.

In addition to the 10'10" Nalu, you could also look at the Starboard Widepoint (10'5"x32") or Blend (11'2"x30") in the AST 'Candy' construction, which have the the full size deck grip.

Time to go to Specsavers I reckon...I read the thread title as "Best board for talking dog"

HumanCartoon said..

Time to go to Specsavers I reckon...I read the thread title as "Best board for talking dog"

As a friend of Her Majesty the Oceanqueen, I can honestly say that though the royal pooch is pretty clever, she definitely can't talk.

Mahanumah said..

I take my dog out on the 11'4 Nalu. Nice and stable for combined weight just over 100kgs.

Agree that you should try to get deck grip all the way. My dog wanders up and down. When he gets off the grip he slides everywhere. Usually off the side.

Another thing to do... Get the dog a life jacket. So when he does come off... And he will... Its not such a problem

^^^Same - although over 110kgs combined. Full deck grip a must, and although the dog's claws will eventually shred it - it's better than scratching the board!

It really depends on what level your dog is at and background sports he's been into kiting, surfing ,soccer, basic stick retrieval, playing dead, biscuit begging, has he ever skateboarded that always helps. Also probably need to concider weight, local beach conditions, wind blown chop, waves and his ability to sit and stay on a unlevel platform, oh and swimming ability but most of all toilet training, just my thoughts ;-)

I would have to agree the NSP e2 boards are the go. I do pretty much all my paddling with my dog. my old board was a 11ft simon anderson, had to add more grip as my dog likes to hang up at the nose. Though have moved onto 9'8 NSP board as my go to board, the board handles me (85kg) and my dog (25kg) no worries and also my new SUP puppy in training on occasion. Super stable in the surf too even with the dog on board
the full deck grip also helps alot. Any of the NSP boards will do, my girlfriend has had three full size border collies on a 11ft NSP at one time no worries.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I have gone with a 10"5' x 32" Starboard. Nice and comfy for me and the dog. Can't wait to get out on the water....