Im buying my first board, and have found a good deal (?) on a Cloudbreak SUP ($699 new), what are your thoughts? Any advise will be appreciated!
this is the only info I have.......
$699 for a Cloudbreak paddleboard (total value $1,500)
Available in wood, blue or green
Pick-up only available from Smeaton Grange, Sydney
This hand-shaped and finished paddleboard by Cloudbreak is finished with full resin tint colours and a high strength bamboo veneer finish, believed to be superior to epoxy SUPs. They feature a deck grip, round nose and tail, a three-piece removable fin set and retractable handle for easy transport and come with a lightweight adjustable paddle included.
Features
Measurements: 10???x33???x4.5???
Suitable for riders weighing up to 150kg
Welcome to the Breeze riderrider.. It sounds very cheap.. It's very hard for anyone to comment without seeing or paddling the board and I suggest you do that before buying if you can.. The dimensions seem ok.. How heavy are you?
It's like someone asking about a $200 dollar cheap mt bike from Kmart compared to a $800-900 Giant or Trek from a real bike shop.. Most people will suggest that you pay the extra and buy a big brand bike because the cheap bike will probably fall apart or break.. Sometimes a second hand big brand board can be a similar price.
But if it gets you into SUP and that's all you can afford go for it.. Once hooked I'm sure you'll be wanting to trade up to a big brand board and you probably won't get much for your cheap board.. Let us know how you go.
DJ
Select to expand quoteriderrider said..
Im buying my first board, and have found a good deal (?) on a Cloudbreak SUP ($699 new), what are your thoughts? Any advise will be appreciated!
My advice is don't buy paddleboards off Groupon. 
Select to expand quoteriderrider said..
Pick-up only available from Smeaton Grange, Sydney
I seem to recall there being another not so well known brand that also came from Smeaton Grange........that of course is a well known for its surfing and outsdoors shops (not)
DJs advice above is wise..........
Thanks so much for your advice, as I'm only starting out I would like a board that's not too expensive but is decent, once I get going Ill buy something super nice & the kids can take over the first board. Any suggestions of what would suit?
I'll put this out there, not because I can respond with any great amount of experience, but because it will get asked before anyone can really give you any meaningful advice.
How much do you weigh and how tall are you? Are you going to use the SUP for flatwater only or for waves or both? Those are standard questions to get started with.
I would also like to add that with my limited knowledge in researching SUP's obsessively, the bigger brands obviously put more time and research into crafting their boards which, imo, equates to a better product.
Answer the above questions, get an idea of what you want and then try to demo as many SUP's as possible to get a feel for what you like. With summer coming up, there will be many opportunities to get out and try a few.
I understand you get what you pay for, just keen to get started without a huge expense and a board the kids can hit and ding without me stressing.
Im 60kg and 161cm tall.
Im keen to hit small waves and semi flat water. Eventually I would like to get good enough to hit the bigger waves... think that will be down the track a fair way!
Try these guys. www.blackhawkoutdoor.com.au/
Yes they are a Chinese import however I bought a 9"6' Surfing Hawk and it has been a great board. I now have a Hobie and have sacrificed the Hawk to the kids...but even they can't seem to kill it. Good luck.
Select to expand quoteriderrider said..
Thanks, how did you find the paddle that came with the board?
I think you will find the paddles that come with these cheap boards are an absolute joke.. and I would not trust them.
Buy a cheap board but don't use a cheap paddle imo.
DJ
sounds like a good idea, I would love to get a good board to start with, but know I wont let the kids near it - want them to have some fun too. With the paddle, are there any particular ones you would recommend?
It doesn't need to be a top of the line paddle.. Naish/Starboard/Fanatic all have very good and reasonably priced paddles.. I'm sure QB and Werner have cheap paddles that you can trust and I know that Kialoa have one coming soon called the Insanity.. I like the skinny shafts and the small blades but it's a personal choice.. Pop onto your local SUP shop and see whet they recommend.
DJ
Or even cheaper!! http://www.goldcoastsup.com/collections/ccs-boards these are now from $549 website is a bit out dated!! Yes china board and no it's not as good as a Naish or Fanatic and we wont try to tell you they are!! you can buy one of these and still be able to spend some good money on a good QB or Fanatic paddle then when you need to upgrade the board down the track you wont need to up date your paddle.
Great first boards on a budget if money is tight!! Now also come in all sizes from 8'6 to 12ft.
Happy paddling!!
If you look at my post under the topic 'Adjustable vs fixed' I have provided an answer.
