Hi all,
With a budget of about $950 all in (board, bag, paddle) I can't make up my mind what to get. Plenty around but no reviews or experiences to back up brands. I know people will say stretch to a 2nd hand known brand but $900 is a lot already for me. I've looked at all the 2nd handers and can't find much close by. I'm in Brisbane.
I see Atlantis, Billy bud, Blackhawk etc but am really unsure. I'm a beginner, 86kg and 178cm. River and small surf is my target so was thinking 10'6", 32 wide and preferably 4.75" thick.
My question is has anyone bought the cheapies and are happy with build, quality? I don't want to flush a grand down the toilet! 
Regards
Warrick
Hi Wokatoo I think I can offer some advice.
I originally purchased a 9'6" Surfing Hawk from Blackhawk. About $800 for the whole package. I was like you and didn't want to set fire to a stack of cash for an entry level package. Since then others I know have bought the 11'6" and 9'6" Bondi Hawk and the 8'0" Arthur Z kids SUP. All in all these boards appear to be fairly robust. I've given mine he'll and it seems to withstand most of the punishment. It did spit a side fin however a lot of people were using it to learn on and I think this was user error rather than a product defect. The real down side IMO is the weight. These boards are heavy. Mine was 12kg and the 11'6" is nearly 20kg. Also after sales support is unknown as I never had an issue.
I had another mate purchase the Billy Bud package and this board looks the biz and isn't a bad option either, for entry level.
The other thing is progression. If you progress fast, then you will want to upgrade sooner than later and that means another purchase. Add the together and you are spending the same money when compared to buying a well known brand in the first place.
I would say that the best thing to do is spend as much as you can afford on a well known brand. I have seen some bargains on the Breeze. You can also pick up a new carbon adjustable paddle off eBay for about $150.
I started off with the cheap Chinese board but after a few months I upgraded to a Hobie and just yesterday I bought a Starboard Pocket Rocket in brushed carbon. Note that I paid $1,050 for the Hobie and $1,100 for the Starby. Add all these together with paddles and other gear and you have already spent stacks.
You may think that you can stop at one however SUP is infectious, just ask the other Breezers.
Good luck.
My first board was a Atlantis halo.. I'd recommend anyone on a tight budget to buy one of them.
Buy used and get a good paddle.
I think going cheap is a mistake. Better to wait(although that sucks) but will be worth it in the long run.
my 2cents!
Select to expand quoteAndyR said...
My first board was a Atlantis halo.. I'd recommend anyone on a tight budget to buy one of them.
Thx Andy, looked at these but with bag and paddle it's up around $1250... I did contact them as they are local but they won't budge on price. 
Select to expand quotesupgman said...
Hi Wokatoo I think I can offer some advice.
I originally purchased a 9'6" Surfing Hawk from Blackhawk. About $800 for the whole package. I was like you and didn't want to set fire to a stack of cash for an entry level package. Since then others I know have bought the 11'6" and 9'6" Bondi Hawk and the 8'0" Arthur Z kids SUP. All in all these boards appear to be fairly robust. I've given mine he'll and it seems to withstand most of the punishment. It did spit a side fin however a lot of people were using it to learn on and I think this was user error rather than a product defect. The real down side IMO is the weight. These boards are heavy. Mine was 12kg and the 11'6" is nearly 20kg. Also after sales support is unknown as I never had an issue.
I had another mate purchase the Billy Bud package and this board looks the biz and isn't a bad option either, for entry level.
The other thing is progression. If you progress fast, then you will want to upgrade sooner than later and that means another purchase. Add the together and you are spending the same money when compared to buying a well known brand in the first place.
I would say that the best thing to do is spend as much as you can afford on a well known brand. I have seen some bargains on the Breeze. You can also pick up a new carbon adjustable paddle off eBay for about $150.
I started off with the cheap Chinese board but after a few months I upgraded to a Hobie and just yesterday I bought a Starboard Pocket Rocket in brushed carbon. Note that I paid $1,050 for the Hobie and $1,100 for the Starby. Add all these together with paddles and other gear and you have already spent stacks.
You may think that you can stop at one however SUP is infectious, just ask the other Breezers.
Good luck.
Thx for your reply. When you say 'progress' what do you mean? A shorter board or just better make? I will be sticking to flat and small waves so can't see much progression?
Thx for
Buy a brand name used board, look after it and when you want to move up on to a more performance oriented board (which you will) you can sell it and get your money back.
Select to expand quoteMickMc said...
Buy a brand name used board, look after it and when you want to move up on to a more performance oriented board (which you will) you can sell it and get your money back.
Ah I'm with you now. Thanks Mick. So brand names being Nsp, naish, coreban I suppose. I found drift boards in buy/sell but guess drift isn't a known brand?
Seriously, and being from Sydney i have no connections, but you could do worse than get in your car and go and see Ange and Jacko at Roar, they will look after you, support the industry and are genuinely nice people! 
Select to expand quoteShireSUP said...
Seriously, and being from Sydney i have no connections, but you could do worse than get in your car and go and see Ange and Jacko at Roar, they will look after you, support the industry and are genuinely nice people!
Thx Shire. Called them and they only have CCS brand in stock at $629. Great price but I really worry about quality for that low cost. They don't get any more Roar Boards till march. Shame, they looked perfect. 
Select to expand quoteWokatoo said..ShireSUP said...
Seriously, and being from Sydney i have no connections, but you could do worse than get in your car and go and see Ange and Jacko at Roar, they will look after you, support the industry and are genuinely nice people!
Thx Shire. Called them and they only have CCS brand in stock at $629. Great price but I really worry about quality for that low cost. They don't get any more Roar Boards till march. Shame, they looked perfect.
Hi Mate
i think i spoke to you on the phone about the boards.
The CCS boards are fine and do the job of getting you out and in the water, we also stand by what we sell even on the boards this cheap. There are pro's and cons to every board and really at the start it's more just about getting out there and enjoying it. If you do bye a cheap board to start with then spend the extra and make sure you get a good paddle as you will want to upgrade your board down the track but the paddle that is something you can keep for ever if you get the right one to start with!!
You could get a CCS board with a QB paddle for the money you are wanting to spend no worries at all. If you get a chance come in and see us and we will run you through all the differences in the boards and paddles and even get you out on a few to make sure you buy the right size board first time!!
Cheers Jacko
Jacko,
Thanks so much. I like the look of the CCS boards and your commitment to getting me the right board. I'll come and see you Saturday!
Warrick
By progress I mean that you will become so hooked that you will improve quickly and your skill level will surpass the capability of the board. Hope that makes sense.
Select to expand quoteWokatoo said..MickMc said...
Buy a brand name used board, look after it and when you want to move up on to a more performance oriented board (which you will) you can sell it and get your money back.
Ah I'm with you now. Thanks Mick. So brand names being Nsp, naish, coreban I suppose. I found drift boards in buy/sell but guess drift isn't a known brand?
Yep, sorry should have said "well known and respected brand" to make it clearer. In no particular order, and apologies if I leave any out: Fanatic, Starboard, Naish, Jimmy Lewis, JP, Hobie, Coreban, C4, PSH. Check out the buy and sell section of this forum for starters. All these brands do a good range of boards suitable for beginners depending on your size and weight.
This one looks ok 2013 JP 9'8 fusion with two paddles for $950 .... he'll probably accept a near offer, most people do.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~azwlg/2013-JP-Australia-Fusion-9-8-79-cm.aspx?search=XY18oMsXky2aI77FVpVnyA==
Don't know the guy at all but that sort of board is what I reckon you should go for. Seems like a good deal and if you look after it you'll sell it in a year for the same price .... or you may well want to keep it and get another one for different conditions.
My recommendation would be to go brand name in the second hand option. I did exactly what you did 5 years ago and purchased an ananconda board which simply did not(IMO) stack up.
I made the decision in the last 12 months to upgrade and in the last month after a year of saving up bought myself the JP 8'2x28 Pro after having started on a 10'6. You will want to upgrade especially when you get the board out in the surf. My advice is go for quality straight away as you wont be disappointed. Pay peanuts and I am afraid that is what you will get.
Cheers O
Select to expand quoteMickMc said..
This one looks ok 2013 JP 9'8 fusion with two paddles for $950 .... he'll probably accept a near offer, most people do.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~azwlg/2013-JP-Australia-Fusion-9-8-79-cm.aspx?search=XY18oMsXky2aI77FVpVnyA==
Don't know the guy at all but that sort of board is what I reckon you should go for. Seems like a good deal and if you look after it you'll sell it in a year for the same price .... or you may well want to keep it and get another one for different conditions.
I got the 10'2 fusion, I'm 90 - 92kg and can say it's a great board, really stable and fun in the surf. I've been at it for about 6 months and have been in the surf for about 4.5 to 5 months of that. I bought it in winter and wanted to be in the waves by summer, killed that target. I'm not ripping it up but having fun all the same.
That board in the link above looks like a great buy, if I had the cash, I'd grab it for the smaller size in the surf.
Select to expand quotebobajob said...MickMc said..
This one looks ok 2013 JP 9'8 fusion with two paddles for $950 .... he'll probably accept a near offer, most people do.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~azwlg/2013-JP-Australia-Fusion-9-8-79-cm.aspx?search=XY18oMsXky2aI77FVpVnyA==
Don't know the guy at all but that sort of board is what I reckon you should go for. Seems like a good deal and if you look after it you'll sell it in a year for the same price .... or you may well want to keep it and get another one for different conditions.
I got the 10'2 fusion, I'm 90 - 92kg and can say it's a great board, really stable and fun in the surf. I've been at it for about 6 months and have been in the surf for about 4.5 to 5 months of that. I bought it in winter and wanted to be in the waves by summer, killed that target. I'm not ripping it up but having fun all the same.
That board in the link above looks like a great buy, if I had the cash, I'd grab it for the smaller size in the surf.
Too late bro, I snapped it up quick. Thx for all your help. Now to give it a go in the river and down currumbin. V happy I have a decent board now thanks for all your advice. 
Select to expand quoteWokatoo said..bobajob said...MickMc said..
This one looks ok 2013 JP 9'8 fusion with two paddles for $950 .... he'll probably accept a near offer, most people do.
www.seabreeze.com.au/Classifieds/StandUpPaddle-Surfing-and-Cruising-Boards/~azwlg/2013-JP-Australia-Fusion-9-8-79-cm.aspx?search=XY18oMsXky2aI77FVpVnyA==
Don't know the guy at all but that sort of board is what I reckon you should go for. Seems like a good deal and if you look after it you'll sell it in a year for the same price .... or you may well want to keep it and get another one for different conditions.
I got the 10'2 fusion, I'm 90 - 92kg and can say it's a great board, really stable and fun in the surf. I've been at it for about 6 months and have been in the surf for about 4.5 to 5 months of that. I bought it in winter and wanted to be in the waves by summer, killed that target. I'm not ripping it up but having fun all the same.
That board in the link above looks like a great buy, if I had the cash, I'd grab it for the smaller size in the surf.
Too late bro, I snapped it up quick. Thx for all your help. Now to give it a go in the river and down currumbin. V happy I have a decent board now thanks for all your advice.
Glad to be of help mate. Enjoy your new board.
Select to expand quotebobajob said...
So you got the one in the link? I noticed it's gone. How you finding it?
Haven't had it out yet, bit concerned to go river solo. Am looking to test it this weekend somewhere. Trialled same board though and was fine. 
My husband and I just starting out so we bought a couple of cheap 10'6 boards 12 mths ago of eBay and have to say that we have definitely got our moneys worth out of them. Friends of ours have the Starboards and found ours comparable as far as stability and buoyancy goes. I did however invest in a Naish paddle instead of the one that came with the board. We haven't had the boards out in the waves so I cant say what they're like in the surf but just great cruising up and down the river. I do want to upgrade so saving for Naish board at the moment. Hubby has upgraded to a 12' Blackhawk. So all up, the cheaper ones great to start out on but eventually you want better.
Select to expand quoteslushy said..
My husband and I just starting out so we bought a couple of cheap 10'6 boards 12 mths ago of eBay and have to say that we have definitely got our moneys worth out of them. Friends of ours have the Starboards and found ours comparable as far as stability and buoyancy goes. I did however invest in a Naish paddle instead of the one that came with the board. We haven't had the boards out in the waves so I cant say what they're like in the surf but just great cruising up and down the river. I do want to upgrade so saving for Naish board at the moment. Hubby has upgraded to a 12' Blackhawk. So all up, the cheaper ones great to start out on but eventually you want better.
If you're going to be selling your board, not keeping it forever, then obviously the resale value is a big factor when you buy. Buy a good second hand board and you not only get a good board to learn on, you get your money back when you sell it.
Leo's surf shop across the road near the restaurant is also very good. He sold us a great BG Soft Top (2nd hand) for $400 and we love it. 10'6"x34". Very stable and lots of fun.
