Hi, recently broke my Naish Mana 10 ft (can't blame the board) and will be replacing it in the next few weeks. I am thinking of going shorter.
Background: I am 50 years old and wanted to get into SUP as I have extensive experience in canoeing and telemark skiing and moderate experience in surfing. Found that SUP was a superb feeling of combining all three: the J Stroke of canoeing meant I could immediately paddle in a straight line and this combined with the balance of skiing and being used to catching waves on a longboard meant instant fun. Also really enjoyed watching the wildlife while standing up - you get a much better view of whales and marine life in general compared to sitting on a 'normal' surfboard. Have now done about 15 days.
My first board was a Reality Ripper 9.5 and didn't like it. Replaced it with a Nash Mana 10ft and loved it for the style of SUP I like: basically mellow waves up to waist high. Found it to be stable in chop yet still felt loose on the wave for its size. I am not interested in big surf etc - still take some risks in whitewater kayaking and skiing but like to really 'relax' in the surf and tend to go out only when I am not going to have to paddle over big sets and hang on to my hat!
Finally, to my question. Should I replace the 10 foot Mana with the 9.5? Is the 9.5 still nice and stable when I am cruising around out the back in some chop while waiting for the next wave? Does it turn noticeably better on a wave yet still catch waves easily and run down the line? Obviously, being shorter and narrower there will be some differences but how big are the differences? Or should I look at one of the other Naish boards in the Hakua line? Any other recommendations?
I am 75kg and 5' 8" (can never remember what that is in cm!)
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
At your weight definately go the 9'5 Mana. You will manage the step down easily. I have ridden both.
You could even consider a 9 Mana which would be a logical step further I think. I've never ridden on of these so maybe someone else can comment.
PS. Welcome to the Forum Cobungra
Hi Cobungra I am a 94kg newbie SUP surfer and have demo'd both the 10' and the 9'5 manas and found the 9'5 the best so as Daneli said you will find the step down to the 9'5 easy or even the 9'0 should be ok for your weight.
If you are happy with fun and cruisy then the 9.5 is your board. You would probably be fine on the 9 but it will make you work a little harder so probably won't have the cruisy fun feeling your after.
9'5 would def do the job. I'm 100kg and it floats me just fine. Really is super stable and you should be able to surf it just as good as the 10'. I found the stability the same as the 10' but really didnt notice too much in surfing it. It should be what you are after if you are sold on the Naish.
Looks like the consensus both here and on an USA site is that the 9.5 will work well for me. Thanks for taking the time to reply so far.
One more question, is there much difference between the 2010 and 2011 models? Can get both with the 2010 a bit cheaper.
And another question.........opinions on the differences between the AST and wood sandwich construction? Thanks!
Hi I have the Naish 9'5" Mana AST. Peviously had an older 10' Mana. I am relatively new to SUP and find the 9'5" feels lighter and more agile. There just seems to be less board and bulk in front of you when turning. Stability I think is almost the same. I would get the 9'5" or demo a PSH 9'6" Wide Ripper.
cheers
Thanks everyone for your opinions. Between here and a USA site everyone has said to go with the shorter board so that's what I am going to do. Just have to decide whether to spend the money on the 'wood sandwich' board. Cheers!
Hi Daneli
I am an old gumby so probably not good to go by my experience. Only had about 3 paddles on a demo. In the bay will a little wind ripple on the water and a small swell it was fine. Seemed to glide better than I thought it would. In the surf zone with water that was a little bit eneven I tended to fall more than I liked. Only caught a couple of small shapeless waves so can't really judge. Felt loose and not too big a board under foot. I probably could have mastered it in time and will get one a bit later. I think it would be a better board when swell is up compared to the 9'5". So for now in that situation I grab the surfboard. Cirumstances and impatience sees me on the 9'5" which I like for my ability at the moment. cheers
Ive had my 9'5 for bout 15 months now and still love it.Thouroghly recomend it. Had it out on the outer reefs, flat water paddles with the missus and the beach breaks and no complaints at all.
Seen a few crew with the 10' mana out and about and it is a lot of board to handle in the waves. Bit too much for me at 73kg anyway.
After lookin at all the wave boards etc Im pretty sure my next move is to the 9'0 Mana.
My thoughts anyway
W
hi there,
dont want to spoil this threas but maybe you can help me with this?
like so many others i am new to the sport. i had a great time with the fanatic fly 10´0 in nice 3-5 feet waves. i thought the boardsize was sufficiant (volume around 160 l). i can get a very good deal on the nsp 10´6 (seems to be quite similar to the fly 10?) and quite good deal on the mana. the mana would be around 30% more expensive.
i would like to spend time in waves with it but will use it for flat water as a training device as well. i am 80 kg by 5´11. do you think the mana would make me much more happy so that i should spend the extra money?
You will find the 9.5 mana a very very easy transition from the 10.0.. If you are going to stay with a mana then consider the AST as they are way cheaper and noticably lighter than the bamboo (imo) and I reckon just as strong. If you are surfing a lot and like a challenge then also have a demo on a 9.6 hokua and a 9.0 mana if you can - they are insane boards and very comfortable for such a small board. You cant go wrong with the 9.5 mana though if you want super stable with a little bit less performance than the hokua and lil mana.
