SUP Surfing Progression: How To Ride a Low Volume board

Want to take your SUP surfing to the next level? If so, you'll probably be looking to lose some volume in your next board. While providing close to shortboard levels of agility once you are on a wave, low volume SUPs are not exactly the easiest things to paddle around on. In this video, the Blue Planet Team provide a few pointers and also a few reasons why one would ride a small Stand Up Surfboard.
For reference: the board Ty Judson rides in the video is a 7'3 x 23" x 68L board and he weighs 74kg.
This is a post with more of our thoughts on board volume depending on body weight, type of use, and skill level:
blueplanetsurf....

[@tarajordan1385]

A slalom windsurf board is really fun for wave SUP. I use a Thommen F2 volume 86 L, width 53, length 269 . Great speed and amazing manoeuvrability due to the nose of the board.

[@cesdevilallonga]

really or joke?? hahahaha slalom F2 from the 90s are really narrow!

[@dronezone3994]

Awesome edit. I really liked the way you integrated some drone shots there. It really added value. The surf in Indonesia looks absolutely fantastic. Keep on doing your thing, awesome job!

[@blueplanetsurf]

Thank you Drone Zone, aloha!

[@retrain35yo87]

Im 87kg and got a 82L sup. It definitely sinks without momentum and its a real challenge to balance weight on it evenely. It took me 5 sessions to get used to 110L from 135L. I think getting the stamina and balance to popup with a paddle on such an unstable platform would take me 3-6 weeks. The hardest things are: paddling normally especially on the weak side, staying stable while submerged, and coming out from submerged. Also i definitely recommend a full trackpad on the deck because on wax you will submerge, the slip, and kill someone in the lineup when you sup flies out of submersion.. Surfing is easy and once you get on a wave, the performance is another level.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Riding a board that does not float you takes skills and more work/ focus, no doubt. I personally prefer SUPs with a bit more volume than my body weight.

[@JUCKERHAWAII]

Cool... we received the story from Fabrice for our SUP Mag in Europa, Epic trip, epic boat.

[@blueplanetsurf]

+JUCKER HAWAI'I Awesome. We are looking forward to seeing the travel story!

[@Murr808]

what advantage does using a low volume sup have over just using a surfboard at this point?

[@blueplanetsurf]

Having a paddle in your hands can help catch waves and make tighter turns but their goal is to surf like they would on a shortboard.

[@rksnote9635]

Gordon, a low vol sup still has more volume then most longboards so you can still sit further out then shortboards. You will have to be more skilled at balancing and use more enegry to paddle but thats the consequence of going low vol. The reward is that you are part of only a few in the world that can surf it.

[@michaelburk9173]

Excellent video. I think "it depends" is a good answer to many board volume questions. We need to be realistic about our capabilities and expectations. Those guys in the vid are less than 1/2 my age, maybe 2/3 my wieght, and probably 10 x my skill. What's a "challenge" for them would be impossible for me. We all need to be challenged a bit, but fighting constantly just to stand on the board reduces the enjoyment.

[@blueplanetsurf]

well said, they are taking low volume to the extreme. For more information on volume for beginners and intermediate paddlers: blueplanetsurf.com/news/sup-board-volume-and-floatation-vs-body-weight-explained/

[@clavapa1_old]

I do like to ride low volume boards, but I would never ride something that sinks with me on top, weighting 85-90kg, I generally ride 110 to 130 lt performance sups

[@Luka-xb2ge]

Hello, I am 183cm tall and 80kg. I'm currently riding a starboard sup 6'8 size 76 liter board. I'm used to catching waves, but it's hard to stay standing for a long time. Are overseas professional players similar to my weight and height riding lower volume than that? Then I wonder how it's possible.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Yes, as mentioned in the video some of the pros ride very low volume boards and make it work to maximize performance on the wave. They end up having to paddle out prone as it’s too hard to stand up paddle for a long time, so it depends on what your priority is. For me, I like boards that can float my body weight, so volume in L= my weight in kg

[@cesdevilallonga]

So cool to watch but....dare to try it in our messy waves in the Mediterranean sea !

[@blueplanetsurf]

Rough water makes it harder to balance for sure but once the board sinks a bit it can be less sensitive to side chop

[@hrburrell]

I weight 90k and paddle a 185 liter sup. I can't imagine going any lower. Aside from the fact that it's my all around board that I use on flat days as well, the amount of effort necessary to generate speed and glide on a submerged board seems like it would be a lot of work. I guess for high performance surfing the super light small boards can rip but I am fine on my 10'6". It would be fun to try though.

[@pku2222]

I weight 195 lb (88.5 kg). My first board was (broke it in a shallow shore dump) a Naish Mana 10'0" (210 lt). My 2nd board is a Starboard Hero 9'0" (149 lt). My 3rd board is a Quatro Glide 8'8" (143 lt). Both Hero and Glide support me quite well and don't sink too much into the water when I'm not moving, and they track reasonably well. On a choppy day I get tired sooner on the Glide (tiring to stay standing/balanced on the board). I'm thinking about going a bit smaller/narrower for my next board so I can do more short-board like surfing. Don't think i want to get a board that would sink too much though...

[@adamk3244]

@@pku2222hey mate thanks for the info. I’m in the same boat right now. Feel reasonably confident in some of the mushier indo waves on my 170lt board. Am looking to drop down. How’d you make out?

[@sengyo]

low volume... be careful of your back... that is the main issue for me. I prefer riding 120l volume for 75kgs (very often choppy and windy conditions, variable pics (needing some speed to move on the line and catch)). Shortboard shape 8'5 helping me to catch almost everything.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Nice 👍

[@Jpgundarun]

I don't expect a SUP to be like a surfboard so why would would you try to SUP on a surfboard?

[@blueplanetsurf]

If you want to surf it like a shortboard 😎🤙🏼

[@tormarquis]

I was really hoping for a demonstration of how you get up on a low volume board.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Getting up is the same as on a higher volume board but you have to be in exactly the right place so you sink the nose and tail evenly. Paddling creates dynamic lift which makes it more stable. So take a few strokes on your knees, get up quickly and start to paddle right away. Hope that helps 🤙🏼

[@tormarquis]

@@blueplanetsurf thanks. I was successful paddling on a "one knee and one foot" position to get speed first . Then , I was successful getting up in a "surfer" stance. I did it on a big SUP. Now , the challenge is to do it on a smaller one.... Aloha

[@codepenna1131]

Aloha brother, im shaper here in brazil, the timestamp 1:30 this video, please please please could you tell me measurements of that board , my sup today have 87litres my weight 82kg, thanks and congratulations the magics guys on sup

[@blueplanetsurf]

Sure, it's in the description too: the board Ty Judson rides in the video is a 7'3 x 23" x 68L board and he weighs 74kg.

[@TheSurfrer1]

I went too small on my SUP and found that prone long boards could out paddle me. I lost the edge I was looking for from the start.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Yes, we hear that a lot, a little more length and volume helps get in the wave earlier and keeps it fun, especially in choppy conditions.

[@stunterstyle]

Awwww poor baby. Maybe you should share waves more often instead of being a typical SUP wave hog.

[@TheSurfrer1]

More is better. FYI, I could out surf you with a McDonalds lunch tray.

[@okay333666]

Sorry I wasn't listening, I was distracted by the beautiful waves and the surfing.

[@blueplanetsurf]

😂🤙🏼

[@jeremyrosenahagen4577]

What would be the ideal goal of weight to volume for surf sup? b4 it become crazy small.

[@blueplanetsurf]

I'm not sure what the right amount of volume is, it really depends on the the person and the conditions. I weigh about 90 kg and really start to struggle on anything below 100L but I guess the only way you get used to lower volume boards is to use them. Seeing what Ty and Nathan can do on boards that don't float their body weight is motivation to go smaller for sure. For reference: the board Ty Judson rides in the video is a 7'3 x 23" x 68L board and he weighs 74kg.

[@blueplanetsurf]

Here is a post on our thoughts on board volume depending on use and skill level: blueplanetsurf.com/news/sup-board-volume-and-floatation-vs-body-weight-explained/

[@86cadaver]

I’d be impressed to see someone try this in NorCal

[@blueplanetsurf]

I don’t think it makes a difference where you are

[@tigerlikeswater]

The young woman nailed it. "The paddle is your walking stick"...............

[@blueplanetsurf]

Yes that’s a great way to think of it!

[@SurferSteve]

Awesome Rides...

[@pupupoopface]

A small volume sup can fit in most cars. You don’t have to mess with roof racks, or buy a bigger vehicle.

[@blueplanetsurf]

That is a big advantage of going smaller 🤙🏼

[@rmrib5]

wich small size surfboard , but still reasonable stable for a beginner do you recommend ?

[@yungboys9152]

Amazing waves Where is it

[@blueplanetsurf]

+Neox this video was shot in the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia

[@danielibanezkite]

Where is this beach?

[@blueplanetsurf]

This was filmed at several locations on a boat trip in the Mentawai Islands.

[@wsimtx]

Where where where is that spot? Thanks

[@blueplanetsurf]

The footage is from several spots in the Mentawai Islands in Indonesia. The Blue Planet team went on a boat trip there in April 2017 and this was shot on the trip. Here is a video about the first day of the trip and getting there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5bbaoRpjritec0

[@CosmoAlexandreOficial]

Nice video! i weight 85kg and my sup has 79liters. Thats not easy , I need practice! hah

[@otai196]

that's great for doing turns but uncomfortable for paddling and enjoying the in between period of riding the waves. I'm 80kg and have a 103L sup. I think it's a good balance, I'm not keen on sinking, may as well break out the short board in that case

[@codepenna1131]

hey, aloha, i weght today 81-82kg, And my new sup have 87litres, not easy 28'' x 3' 11/16''

[@elscotto9551]

Is there a "moreso" drinking game happening here...? This word is not usually heard frequently, moreso infrequently ; P

[@clarkewi]

Where is this surf spot.

[@blueplanetsurf]

+clarkewi this is in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.

[@metalguru2007]

My five cents worth - Most people attempting to surf sups.. are on far too "voluminous" boards! Twice your body weight for beginners*? Nup... enough volume to float you, the weight of the board and a wet suit.... .. and a no more than 20 litres on top of that. After than, its only going to become less stable.. Other factors come into it, such as plan shape and rocker....but essentially the boards I see going out the surf boutique door.. and more like boats! As for the whole issue of "keep moving".. in crowded line ups.. you dont want to be that person! So in those situations.. practice remaining in a smaller area as possible... before you venture into the realm of "daggers" :D *Im assuming that refers to someone beginning to surf a sup.

[@blueplanetsurf]

I think it really depends on the person and conditions. For a very fit sup surfing beginner with good balance that already has some basic paddling skills, a body weight +20L board might be doable as a first board in smooth, light wind conditions. It's more useful to use a % of body weight as 20L is 33% of body weight for a 60 kg paddler and only 16% for a 120kg paddler. The width is also very important for balancing. For the first time on the water, we still recommend body weight x2 as a volume guideline. For more information on the volume we recommend by body weight and skill level, please visit: blueplanetsurf.com/news/sup-board-volume-and-floatation-vs-body-weight-explained/

[@hrburrell]

Lord Kuz my experience has always been the opposite...higher volume boards that I have owned were always more stable and caught waves more easily. Maybe not as fast to turn on waves but easier to manage in sloppy conditions and chop and more stable which means easier to keep in a straight line and build speed when paddling to catch a wave. Nothing worse then trying to fight to keep your board lined up as the wave is coming up behind you. The bigger more stable boards make easy work of it. They are slower and more cumbersome but for a beginner that doesn't matter as much as learning to catch the wave and perform basic turns..

[@anthonyvallario7561]

It looked harder to balance on that thing than it would to just learn how to paddle and then stand up on a surfboard

[@blueplanetsurf]

+Anthony Vallario true, it's easier to learn to surf prone than a tiny SUP like this but that's part of the challenge and having the paddle in your hands has a lot of advantages.

[@anthonyvallario7561]

It all looks fun to me. Sup. Longboard. Shortboard.

[@jetpaynter1685]

I don’t see a point in it just surf

[@GarlandGay7]

Or you're just use a fucking surfboard and go surfing.

[@sammaskell612]

hahahaha imagine standing there in the lineup half submerged balancing for hours, just learn to ride a real surfboard...

[@kokobee9447]

Starboard 3,500

[@blueplanetsurf]

Price for full carbon construction?