I have been wanting a new stand up surfboard. None of my paddle boards are suitable for surfing so I've been borrowing one. It is really big, to big for me and so I want to size down. It is about 10' and 200 liters. This is my dads board so it's really big. I weigh only about 145-150 pounds. I was wanting the Naish Hokua X32 9'1" but it's only 150 liters and I don't know how hard to balance on it will be. I have very good balance because I have done lots of paddling on narrow racing boards. I also used to paddle on a probably 8'8" maybe 2013 Mana which is super narrow so I can't surf on it. It is about 140 liters. So I was wondering if I should get the Hokua. I was also considering the 9'6". I do lots of surfing and paddling and so I want a good board. Will this board hold up in small chop also?
I'm about your weight and recently upgraded my 9'1'' to the bigger 9'6'' Hokua because I found the 9'1'' hard work in choppy water..
I'm loving the new 9'6''x 32.. 
No offence DJ, but I think Emma is around 60kg...
In my opinion the 9'6" X32 is waaaaaay too big for you emma, and is designed for riders 220lbs+ (100kg).
At 32 wide they are a pretty big hunk of board and you simply wont be able to sink a rail to turn it.
You mention paddling race boards and that you surf alot? iIf you are still looking at the X32 range the 8'3" is the one for your weight. Dont get too concerned by just the volume, things like width & profile also contribute a lot to stability.
I don't surf on the racing boards but I've been in small waves with them. I just need something fairly stable. I haven't ridden to many shortboards and stuff like this so that's why I'm kinda iffy. I just don't wanna make the wrong purchase! I'm more than 60 kg, I am pretty tall and active so I more mass and muscle.
in my opinion, boards became 30 + inches wide because of the market, not because they are better. The average person getting into SUP'ing is middle aged and a lot have zero water experience. Most people equate fun to feeling good. Falling a lot initally, does not do the ego good and doesnt feel good. To get more people on boards and make more money, the board companies made the boards easier.....not better.
nothing worth while is easy. Challange yourself.
My recomendation (and just opinion) is to look at width, and thickness first. Then the length, going for the amount of litres that suit. You weigh approx 68kg. lets say 78kg for you, board, wetsuit and paddle. That means you only need 80 + litres to float. Outline will of coarse play a roll in how tippy the board is, but also how well/easy it will surf. You may want to look for a pulled in narrow tail to turn easier and a fuller nose to retain some balance.
Ill say again, challange yourself, look at getting a board that you will not be great on straight away and something that pushes you to get better, rather than easy quick and then looking for a change soon again.
Hey i'm about the same weight - i started in the surf with a 9'6x29.75x4.75 and that was a really good board to learn on then went to a 8'6x31x4.75 which i really enjoy. I've tried the Mana 8'5 and really loved that too and other boards 8'11x29.25 etc.
The trade off is the glide and strength of women paddling against men on the waves imo. we have a lot of chop down our way and a lot of surfers and sups on 9'6-10' slabs that you are competing with for waves - so some days 8'6 is hard work as i tend to take off later, and paddling to outer breaks is a lot harder.
i've just bought a 9x30 board as a bit of a compromise, especially for choppy days.
anything over 9' foot will be easy and fun, 8'10 x 30/31 might be a good compromise to start with, especially with your experienced paddling background
Trial as many boards as you can - i trialed the Hokua 8'4 (i think) & is was too tippy on flat water and the Hokua 9'6 x 32 was huge 
The x32 Hokuas are great wave boards .
you just have to get the one suited to your weight .
68 kg
im 94 kgs and have the 9'6
The mana is also a good option .
if your having trouble with a 140 litre board maybe get a 9.5 mana .@163 litres or the hokua 9.1 @ 150 litres
then move down the ladder one step at a time .
Select to expand quotedamo666 said..
No offence DJ, but I think Emma is around 60kg...
In my opinion the 9'6" X32 is waaaaaay too big for you emma, and is designed for riders 220lbs+ (100kg).
At 32 wide they are a pretty big hunk of board and you simply wont be able to sink a rail to turn it.
You mention paddling race boards and that you surf alot? iIf you are still looking at the X32 range the 8'3" is the one for your weight. Dont get too concerned by just the volume, things like width & profile also contribute a lot to stability.
Oops.. Where are my reading glasses.. 
Sorry I misread that she was 200 kgs.. but I can see now her 10' board is 200 ltrs.. 
DJ this is a bit off topic sorry Emma but I am looking to get something to cover my legs out in the surf, what are those black pants you are wearing? Wetsuit or running tight?
Emma I see you are in the US I would hire one for the weekend. Look at the width as surfing is I would say 100 times more difficult to balance while you are learning than on flat water and 10 times as hard as open water.
Emma, you should not focus as much on volume. With your weight, you do not need volume.
You need width for lateral stability, and length (and a wide tail) for early wave entry. But if you have done lots of paddling on race boards, you should have the paddle technique to get enough speed for takeoff on a 8'8".
Are you sure your board is a Mana 8'8" ? I dont think any Mana was ever narrower than 30", it should be enough for your size, I guess you only need some practice on it on flat water or gentle small waves.
