Sorry all the sup gurus are on the Goldcoast

Hi Dave
Welcome to the coast, for the most part SUP riders are found at Noosa and Maroocydore river mouth, then probably Bulcock Beach at Caloundra and Moffat beach, also along the open beaches such as Kawana. Shops include OceanAddicts opposite Aldi Aerodrome road Maroocydore, Sunshine Coast kite & SUP opposite the caravan park in Cottontree (Maroocydore River Mouth) who I know to be both very able in guiding you with gear. Then there's Adventure Sports Kitesurf at Noosaville and Sunshine Coast kite and Sailboards in Caloundra, also all good shops.
As far as groups go, consider joining our club - details are at www.sunshinecoastsup.com/
We hold a time trial around Lake Kawana every Thursday afternoon starting at 4:45 about at the north end of the lake by the stadium.
Up your way is one of our best watermen being Woogie Marsh and there is a Noosa SUP club. Will try pm you the details.
As always demo all you can, to which end there is a massive demo day on at Lake Kawana on 17th June. See
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Sunshine-Coast-Race-Board-Demo-Day-and-Time-Trials

Hi Dave,
Yep, heaps of spots to SUP up the north end of the coast. I live at Yaroomba and ocean paddle north and south from there as well as SUP surfing around Yaroomba.
Favourites though are flatwater paddling in the Noosa River and Bays as well as ocean paddling from the river mouth to Granite and back. Good spots to launch at Noosa are the Lions Park and Quamby Place. You will see fellow SUPers there at most times.
SUP surfing on the points is awesome but crowds are a major factor when it is working. I would advise against Tee Tree Bay and Granite until you are well practised.
There is only really one shop in Noosa area at the moment and that is Kitesurf Adventure Sports at Noosaville as JT has pointed out. They are great people and know their stuff.
I paddle from Noosa a lot of weekends on a white Fanatic 12'6'' usually from Quamby Place. In the surf I am on a green Fanatic 9'6". So look me up and say hello. The local Noosa SUPers are a mix of older flatwater paddlers and some younger surf chargers.
Keep in mind that the father of SUP in Australia kicked the sport off in Noosa.
Good luck and have fun.
Cheers ET.

Hi Chris, thought the Marsh's were dealing in Coreban on the coast. Have they lost the dealership.

DaveyG said...

Hi. Ive just moved to the Sunny Coast (Sunshine Beach) from Cronulla (Sydney) and am keen to get into a bit of SUP. My wife paddles SUP on flatwater only but I'm keen to get into a bit of allround paddling and small wave surfing. I'm 43, have been surfing for 30+ years and kayak regularly so I'm a keen watersports lover but still haven't quite been bitten by the SUP craze. However with such good local paddling spots at my mercy I'd be mad not to have a crack. I'll be looking to pick up a new board soon, can anyone point me in the direction of the local shops/ SUP gurus? Cheers, Dave

North End Sunshine Coast Shops would be Laguna Bay (Shot Gun Surf) they are out towards Noosaville in Bartlett street. These guys can do you up a custom and know the Noosa Waves. Speak with Tully

Heaps of People to hook up with up this end.

I know of a ladies Group that Paddles most mornings round the Noosa Sounds and sometime venture out into the ocean when perfect.

Check out the local Sup School down Gympie Tce - Stand up Paddle Australia - Hayden is about your height so will be able to help you on as he has tried a heap of boards.

What it gets like on the open beaches

thought today was June 1 not April 1

Hey Dave
I am sure there are a local few shops who will all look after you. This is just my two cents based on my own experience (not bagging anyone else, just praising the one who gave me the best deal/service out of the places I went to):
The team at Ocean Addicts are great. They were really helpful, respectful of your aims and ability (when you get to 50 and carry a couple of extra kgs, some surf shop types can act like you have just driven the tractor in from Dubbo, even if you can surf rings around the scrawny buggers). The lads at Ocean Addicts did me a really good deal on a second-hand Naish Hokua 9'5. I went back a week or so later to get my paddle (bought a while ago elsewhere) down to size and the young bloke did a great job and did it for free cos "it was easy" and I guess maybe he knew i'd shopped there before. They have good stock, a few good demos, often have good specials -- and a lot of happy people wandering in and out who they know (mates and repeat customers raving about where they have just been paddling/surfing). They have great local knowledge too. Anyway, like I said, you may well find someone just as good at the Noosa end of the coast, but if you are in Maroochydore some time, have a squiz. They have a good website too - and i think they are good supporters of Seabreeze.
I have no vested interest at all. I don't know the guys personally. I am just a happy customer. And you did ask!
Dave