All-Round/ Surf Paddle Board Review: Whopper vs Avanti vs Wedge by SUSS

Are you having a tough time deciding which all-round & surf paddle board is just right for you? Starboard offers the most comprehensive range of all-round/ surf paddle board shapes & constructions which means there is a board just perfect for your personal paddlesurf requirements. However, an extensive range can make knowing which Starboard paddle board is the right on for you a little daunting.
No worries, here's an easy to understand all-round/ surf paddle review video to explain everything you need to know which board is right for you before you buy.
Starboard Dream Team rider Michael Booth heads to his local surf paddle board shop to get some great advice from the guys that do it best. Will Wilson from Stand Up Surf Shop Freemantle, WA takes us through the 2021 Starboard all-round surf range comparing the Whopper vs Avanti vs Wedge and explains why each of these is a great board and which one will be best suited to your personal requirements.
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Note on some incorrect statements ~ there were some changes for 2021 which are different to 2020:
1/ 2021 Blue Carbon is not a full PVC wrap construction. Only the Blue Carbon Pro is full PVC wrap. 2/ The new 2021 Blue Carbon is not a sandwich board. We use Carbon Sandwich on our race boards.
3/ 2021 Starlite no longer has the carbon innegra rail. What it does have is the new Diolen rail - which is stronger for impact.
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Big thank you to Michael Booth for shooing this live on our Facebook page , as well as Will Wilson at Stand Up Surf Shop Freemantle for the awesome review video.
If you are in Perth or WA area and want to buy or rent a board, go visit the team at SUSS. They will give you expert advice and offer a wide range of Starboard SUPs to buy or rent: standupsurfsho...
If you want to learn more about the World Champion SUP racer and get some expert training advice, visit his website at www.michael-bo...
#starboardsup #paddleboarding #paddlesurfing

[@stevescott7171]

I bought the blue carbon board and was putting it down on my saw horse and dropped it from 14 inches above the saw horse and it knocked a hole in it. I can't believe how thin it is maybe 1/16 of an inch. I have a tuff lite board that I've had for 20 years and the only damage it has is a gouge my friend put in it when he ran me over with the fin of his board. I personally think the board needs another layer of carbon to strengthen it up.

[@roynicholls3677]

Hi , I,ve had two Whoppers and now have a Widepoint 10.5, 100kg 58 years old, mostly used for surfing but also used around the harbour, used on the south coast of England, very happy

[@burbusbond]

How did you find the whopper for surfing real small stuff Roy? I'm on the south coast also Roy and have been looking at buying a whopper

[@roynicholls3677]

@@burbusbond Hi Barbus, I can't think of anything better for South Coast England. It needs to be a hard board, the Whopper will catch very small surf with ease and because of its stability you will be able to catch waves in sloppy wind blown mush when everyone else is falling off. The difference between the Whopper and the 10.5 Widepoint is that the latter is quicker and turns more sharply on the wave, it is also less stable. Hope that helps...

[@burbusbond]

@@roynicholls3677 Thanks for the reply Roy. This will be my first hard board after paddling isups. I was toying between the whopper and one of the fatstik boards that are a little longer but narrower. I think I'll go with girth 🙂 👍🏻

[@jonathansomers6046]

Hi Roy Iam 55 and 100kg, how does the whopper manage on flat water ?

[@burbusbond]

@@jonathansomers6046 Been out on mine this morning on the flat. Not the fastest board but it does well on the flat. I'm about 75kg though.

[@charlieroberts8217]

What length whopper, are you reviewing.

[@MrBretHatch]

My concerns are simply knowing how well they float in the flat water and what liters I need to find a board in that works great in surf as well as flat....200 pounds really want the best of both surf and not sinking in flat

[@AlienTrees]

You can find that info on the Starboard website in the various spec tables. At 200 pounds, if you want something more stable take a look at the 10'0" or 9'4" Whopper (Wide Ride). If you want something more surfy take a look at the 10'2" or 9'2" Wedge. First decide if you want more stability (wide ride) or more surf performance (wedge), then use your weight as a guide to determine board length/volume that will float you best. I weigh 275, I've been surfing for a few decades, and I have the 11'2" Wide Point (now called Wedge), and its good for both surfing and flat paddling but sometimes I wish I had a little more volume, which would suggest the Avanti (wide ride). My suggestion would be don't buy a board if you're at the upper limit of the quoted weight range (found in the spec tables). Size up to the next length/volume for better overall comfort and less fatigue. So for you, maybe the 10'0" Whopper or the 10'2" Wedge. Hope that helps.

[@bigmammaman]

I’m about 205 and have the 9.5 x 32 wide point which is now the wedge I love it once I’m on a wave surfing but am considering moving to either the 9.4 or 10 whopper for a bit more stability

[@cmike0902]

120kg...what board do you recommend ?

[@surfncurtis]

Good job. Does anybody know the difference in Performance between the new 10.2 wedge starlite and the well known 10.5 wedge lite tech? I know the 11.2 wide point well - fantastic shape.

[@AlienTrees]

The 10'5" Wedge Lite Tech retains the same shape from last year. The 10'2" Wedge Starlite has the new shape that he talks about in the video (15:38) with stepped down deck, thinner rails, shorter nose and rounded pin tail. The 10'2" has slightly more volume (183L vs 178L), according to the Starboard website.

[@surfncurtis]

@@AlienTrees thank you for the Explanation, would be interesting to know the real life Performance difference 10.5 Wedge vs 10.2 Wedge.