I know there is a significant difference between the two boards ive listed, but i wanted to check:

I am 110kg and 186cm - i tried an Aqua Marina Pure Air (which was 10'2 x 30" wide and 4" thick and 110kg weight limit) and really struggled to balance. i know a big part of that is me and my skill/fitness but i wondered if a larger board is likely to help at all.
i found with the Pure Air the surface of the board in the middle was slightly underwater - but only just splashing.

i found the adventure king 10'6 board which is 32" wide, 6" thick and has a 150kg weight limit.
from what ive read (despite still needing a LOT to learn about balance) the additional size and volume is likely to at least help with keeping the board above the surface and maybe marginally more stable and steady while im trying to learn?
Also that for someone tall and large like me, the width is probably better?

the other option is the Aqua Marina Beast, which is similar spec to Adventure King in size etc, but double the price?

Any advice would be very welcomed about the best options - or is it really just a matter of practice to get some balance.

PS - my 9yo daughter got the 9' Aqua Marina Pure Air Youth, and has never fallen off yet!

Thanks

At 110kg and 185cm you need width, at the very least 32", and volume, at least 170 liters.

You also need stiffness, so 6" thickness (not 4"), and a quality construction which will make the board stiffer than the one you tried with is single-skin. Look for double skin boards. And it MUCH better go too big than too small.

Do not listen to the snobs, (good) inflatables are perfectly fine for flat water paddling (the Gong shaper recently said that he now uses only inflatables for flat water fitness paddling). It is only for surfing in waves that they suffer major disadvantages compared to hard boards.

I was only offering some advise Colas as i know the brands ! Why spend money on an inferior product thats bound to fail ! Plenty of good sh big boards that r cheaper than the rubbish on offer and as i only see one reply im assuming you have called me a snob !

simonhmorgan said..
I know there is a significant difference between the two boards ive listed, but i wanted to check:

I am 110kg and 186cm - i tried an Aqua Marina Pure Air (which was 10'2 x 30" wide and 4" thick and 110kg weight limit) and really struggled to balance. i know a big part of that is me and my skill/fitness but i wondered if a larger board is likely to help at all.
i found with the Pure Air the surface of the board in the middle was slightly underwater - but only just splashing.

i found the adventure king 10'6 board which is 32" wide, 6" thick and has a 150kg weight limit.
from what ive read (despite still needing a LOT to learn about balance) the additional size and volume is likely to at least help with keeping the board above the surface and maybe marginally more stable and steady while im trying to learn?
Also that for someone tall and large like me, the width is probably better?

the other option is the Aqua Marina Beast, which is similar spec to Adventure King in size etc, but double the price?

Any advice would be very welcomed about the best options - or is it really just a matter of practice to get some balance.

PS - my 9yo daughter got the 9' Aqua Marina Pure Air Youth, and has never fallen off yet!

Thanks

Hi Simon

When teaching, we use 12' x 34" 250 liters
Small women or large men.... this size make learning fun and immediate.

Since you have a 9 year old, I am guessing that you are fairly young.... and that means a LOT when learning to paddle SUP.
Your learning curve should be fairly fast.

Just make sure that you get a board that is wide enough.... I say at least 32" wide
If you are really fit, you could survive with less....

if less fit.... wider than 32" is much better
At 6'1, 110 kg, you would probably learn faster on something 34" wide.... and 10' or longer

Inflatables can be stiff and stable if they are pumped up to enough air pressure (PSI)
Inexpensive inflatables are not generally designed to handle high pressure.... and will easily bend in the middle with a big guy on them.
Quality inflatables can handle 21 PSI and above.... at that pressure, they are stiff enough for a heavy guy to paddle comfortably.

If storage and transport isn't an issue, finding a nice used hard board around 11' x 33" at over 170 liters would make learning a lot more fun.

Enjoy your dive into paddling!

Hey mate, I'm looking at getting an inflatable too and noticed the Aqua Marina Monster is now $399 at anaconda.

supthecreek said..

simonhmorgan said..
I know there is a significant difference between the two boards ive listed, but i wanted to check:

I am 110kg and 186cm - i tried an Aqua Marina Pure Air (which was 10'2 x 30" wide and 4" thick and 110kg weight limit) and really struggled to balance. i know a big part of that is me and my skill/fitness but i wondered if a larger board is likely to help at all.
i found with the Pure Air the surface of the board in the middle was slightly underwater - but only just splashing.

i found the adventure king 10'6 board which is 32" wide, 6" thick and has a 150kg weight limit.
from what ive read (despite still needing a LOT to learn about balance) the additional size and volume is likely to at least help with keeping the board above the surface and maybe marginally more stable and steady while im trying to learn?
Also that for someone tall and large like me, the width is probably better?

the other option is the Aqua Marina Beast, which is similar spec to Adventure King in size etc, but double the price?

Any advice would be very welcomed about the best options - or is it really just a matter of practice to get some balance.

PS - my 9yo daughter got the 9' Aqua Marina Pure Air Youth, and has never fallen off yet!

Thanks

Hi Simon

When teaching, we use 12' x 34" 250 liters
Small women or large men.... this size make learning fun and immediate.

Since you have a 9 year old, I am guessing that you are fairly young.... and that means a LOT when learning to paddle SUP.
Your learning curve should be fairly fast.

Just make sure that you get a board that is wide enough.... I say at least 32" wide
If you are really fit, you could survive with less....

if less fit.... wider than 32" is much better
At 6'1, 110 kg, you would probably learn faster on something 34" wide.... and 10' or longer

Inflatables can be stiff and stable if they are pumped up to enough air pressure (PSI)
Inexpensive inflatables are not generally designed to handle high pressure.... and will easily bend in the middle with a big guy on them.
Quality inflatables can handle 21 PSI and above.... at that pressure, they are stiff enough for a heavy guy to paddle comfortably.

If storage and transport isn't an issue, finding a nice used hard board around 11' x 33" at over 170 liters would make learning a lot more fun.

Enjoy your dive into paddling!

Thanks for the helpful advice.
Although having a 9yo, i am 46 and not fit!

the Adventure Kings board im looking at is 32" wide, 10'6 long, and listed as 210L at 15PSI.
Seems to get decent reviews and i have feedback from another 6ft tall, 100kg guy that it works well for him with no flex.

I just wasnt sure whether the additional L and double lining on the Aqua Marina BEAST (at 300L and double lined) was worth double the $ for me as a beginner.

BTW - we plan on no surfing, only flat lake, river paddles with the daughter on her Aqua Marina 9' board.

I think im prepared to give the Adventure King a go - it seems decent for the price

And totally understand that a big part of it comes down to my own fitness and core strength - im not expecting miracles!

The pointy noses are less stable, but paddling with them is more satisfying, as they part water and chop and have less drag.

Wider nosed boards are more fun for paddling with kids and/or wife, fishing... and the very stable feel can feel more reassuring.