I'm keen to give SUP a go but it seems really pricey to start off with new gear and there doesn't seem to be much of a market in 2nd hand gear as yet. Is it possible to start off on an old windsurfer or I have seen those soft beginner surf boards for sale that are 9ft and really big and floaty, or am I better off getting straight onto the real thing?

I'm an addicted windsurfer and a surfer however my surfing is as useless as boobs on a bull. The versatility of sup appeals to me as it can be paddled flat water, surf, attach a rig, and also I imagine there would be nothing stopping me getting a canoe style paddle for the kiddies to potter around on.
I was wondering about starting off on another board ie old windsurfer as old boards of that length are worth nothing and people are usually throwing them away as opposed to going out and spending $2000 straight away on a sup board. That way I can give it a go get the some of the basics before looking into investing into the real deal. Is this a feasible way of starting or am I kidding myself? Also are there places around Perth that hire?
Thanks for any advice.

Going the mast track will be automatic! Seeing as windsurfing is my current number 1 addiction and waster of hard earned $. We never seem to learn and look for new addictions to add to the list and fork out more money for.
We had a council street side rubbish collection recently where there were several old sailboards being chucked out.
I know at the Balcatta recycling station there are always old sail boards of similar length that they ask $20 each for where if you lost foot straps etc might do for the short time.
They don't look as nice as those Naish sup paddle boards though.

Hey akhawk,
I have just purchased a state of the art SUP board from Balcatta tip for $10.
It's an old windsurfer which is about 11' long. I have tried it in my swimming pool and it seems ok to learn on. My thinking is that once I learn on this I can purchase a new board around 10' which in my opinion is going to be a better board for the surf however not so good to learn on.
I have convinced a couple of mates to do the same and we are just in the process of modifying some old canoe paddles.
If you see us down at the beach just north of Hillarys boat harbour next weekend, don't laugh, come over and give it a go.
Cheers
Simon

I surf mini mals (badly!) I think the thing that appeals to me about the sup surfing is the variety. Even though I've never tried it, it seems to allow you to get out and get wet in any conditions, anywhere which is the main appeal to me (especially now I realise you can put a sail on them)

yeh hawkie me thinks that would be the appeal for me...wacking on a sail in light conditions and just cruising through the line up...(sought off in small conditions)..then maybe getting som waves..but dont know how it woul work with sail in light winds if board travs faster then wind when on wave (backwinded??)...youd be sought of back to square one i would thought

SUP sailing

for those of you looking for cheap gear, you can start out with a plastic/alloy paddle for around $50 or put one together yourself fairly easily if you can get hold of a some old canoe paddles and kayak paddles. you can save yourself the hassle and get them online for $50 though. just google "stand up paddle surf australia" and youll find them.
for a board -old windusrfers will float you if they are big enough, but dont bother taking them anywhere near the waves. it just doesnt work. fine for flat water though. you dont necessarily need a board over 11ft to learn on. its quite feasible to learn on a 10ft board that is 29-30 inches wide if you start in flat glassy water and arent over 90kg. With SUP you will definitely grow into your gear. It doesnt take long to get the hand of a smaller board. if you plan on doing a bit of surfing, a shorter board is definitely the go.
there arent many second hand boards around, but boards are getting cheaper and cheaper. you can get a package deal for a new SUP and carbon paddle for less than $1300 these days.
second hand boards can also be found on the same website as the cheap alloy paddles. just google "stand up paddle surf australia". There is something for everyone there. I also have a few of my own that i havent listed yet. email me if you want any details. and if want instructions on making a paddle, let me know.

Gday as an old longboard surfer I stole DJ's idea and got out the old windsurfer and made my own paddle.Whilst you do get a rough idea of what SUP is probably like ,it could put some people off.The windsurfer for me is quite unstable (I am 100kgs and 6'4") it is do able on flat water with little wind,a friend who is lighter,shorter ,and younger has less stability problems as you would expect.We both surf longboards often and were keen to give SUP a go at little cost,but we could not use the windsurfer in surf without much much more practice if ever.I have not gone the extra yard yet and bought a dedicated board as I am unsure about how much use I would get out of it ,as when there is surf we normally longboard.Some thing which does get me leaning towards the Naish etc is the mast track as I used to windsurf when there was no surf,when it's flat and no wind the exercise aspect of SUP would be good.Until I hire or try to borrow a proper SUP board I think I have some reservations about stability etc for use in surf.My advice would be try the windsurfer to get some sort of feel for it but from what I have heard don't base too many assumptions on it's stability etc,as the proper board will be a lot different.

Im with you there mate, i just got a cheap windsurf board its about the right size
to float me and i dont see a problem.if you search "stand up paddle"on youtube
somewhere there is footage of a guy on an old board on a river shooting rapids,he looks like hes got it sorted,although he complains its "abit tippy" it still proves to me it can be done.I hope to try mine soon although here in uk sea temp is V cold.


Just refound that footage search-"stand up paddling white water river "

Good day to you sir

yes that looks good but its not the same vid.but it kinda proves if its got enough
float you can stand up (although not nessesarily surf).been relooking at my windsurf board and the rails look abit on the hard side infact they come down to
a square edge the length of the board i dont know how this will effect it,guess
i just got to give it a try. Gday. Ian

If you think the 11'6" is light..just wait till you lift a 10'6"..It feels half the weight..

I lashed out and bought my first sup because I thought I was going to give myself a hernia lifting the old plastic wally on and off the roof of my car..

DJ

Whitewater vid was good It was interesting to see the guy use some classic canoe technique that worked quite well. Tried some canoe strokes on a SUP about a year ago and found the same good response. (my only ever go on a SUP by the way) Looking around now at what to buy.

Ben dover said...

Hi David

I see you dont have any grip or wax!

U obviously dont go out in the surf.

So do u just use crocs for paddleing around the flat water?

I've only had this Naish board a couple of weeks now..and I'm just about to put deck grip on so I can get it into the waves.

Tomorrow I plan to put a couple of leash plugs in the center of the deck..(ala C4)...and then on goes the deck grip..I can't wait to get it in the surf.

I've used the crocs in the surf on past boards and they work ok except for being a little too grippy..and I've also had them twist and come off in a wipeout.

I ended up gluing a yoga mat on my last board so I would not have to wear the crocs in the waves.

So..Yes you're right..I've just been using the crocs on my new board for flat water stuff lately.

BTW...even after I get my new deck grip on and start using this board in the waves..I will continue to use crocs on flat water..and anywhere that you might cut you feet if you jump in..There's nothing worse than feet cuts.

I've been thinking about these AC's.. www.activecasual.com/index.html ...They might work better than crocs.

DJ