Hi all
I am new to Stand up and have only been on the water once two days ago. I was on a friends Laird 11 footer and had no problems with balance or paddling. I'm totally hooked. I have surfed most of my life but was forced to give it up 15 years ago due to severe arthritis. I have narrowed my sights on either the Naish Mana 10' or the Nalu 10.65. This time of year I can get a board and paddle combo for a great price. I live on 90 Mile Beach New Zealand and have a small meandering river in front of my house for flat water and at high tide I can paddle out to the surf on the river. I found it very easy my first time on flat water. I imagine in the surf will be different story. I have very good balance and am in good shape. I weigh 85kg and am 5'8" tall. I plan on flat water paddling and small surf (no bigger than 4 to 6 feet). Which one of these boards will be best for me. I will be on the water a lot, but have no interest as of yet in up-grading to another board for a long time.
Cheers,
90 Mile
I don't think the boards that you're considering are very similar. The Mana 10 is 210 litres in volume and 32 inchs wide. It will be easier to balance on but a bit of a log in waves compared to the Nalu 10.65 at 160 litres of volume. If you're fit and want to develop into the board and get back into surfing then IMO the Nalu would be a good option. If fitness may be an issue and you don't want to be hauling yourself onto the board more than the minimum number of times then the Mana 10 would be a good choice.
I've had both.. Actually two of each.. and the new 10' 6 1/2" Nalu is the better board and IMO the one to go for.
DJ
Hi Simon & David
As for the
Mana 10 vs Nalu 10.65 I am leaning towards the Nalu. I'm getting back in shape and am on track to my goal weight of 80 kg. IMO it makes sense to purchase something with the future in mind. The board comes with the Vario adjustable paddle. I have a choice of 7, or 9 inch blade. What's your opinion on paddles and blade size. I'm going to demo the boards and paddles on Monday, but don't think I can get a real feel of either in an hour or two. I'm the new guy on the block and sure glad I stumbled on to this site. Any info you can provide is greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
90 Mile
Hi 90 mile
I am 90kg and bought the nalu 10 65 as my first board an love it. I can paddle on flat water really easily it seems to glide along nicely. In the surf it is plenty stable but once you are on a wave and get back on the tail it really is comes to life. I would definitely go the thruster version, I think it surfs better than the single, but you might as well have the option to experiment.
I have the 7 inch Naish adjustable carbon paddle, seems good. IMHO a 9 inch would be pretty hard on your shoulders when you are scrambling to get onto a good one at the last second.
Cheers chris
+1 on the 7" wide paddle.
IMO it will be much easier to develop a good paddling technic with a narrower, i.e. 7" or 8", paddle. You will be able to plant the paddle well and NOT have air sucking in behind the blade as you pull on the shaft.
