How do river SUPs perform in ocean / river waves?

[koma]

Dear readers,

I am thinking about getting a new SUP. As I live close to a lake and rivers and I want high durability I am thinking about getting a dedicated river SUP. I have 75kg, my two favorite boards are:
http://star-board-sup.com/2016/boards/9-6-x-36-inflatable-stream/
http://star-board-sup.com/2016/boards/8-6-x-33-inflatable-x-stream/

How will these boards perform in ocean waves (holiday) or river waves?
Due to the added witdth they will probably more stable and less agile then dedicated surf SUPs but will they work?
I am also into river surfing and have a couple of (standing river) waves nearby. Often they are not strong enough to support my normal surfboard, so a SUP would be a valuable addition.
What do you think about my plans?
Which model should I get?

Thanks for your time,
Florian

[surfcowboy]

Results will vary. The only inflatable I've ever surfed was an Uli. Note that I've tried to surf 3 inflatables but the only One that would catch was an Uli. Lol

Truthfully, they are better now overall but a lot depends on your weight and the inflation/stiffness. Here's my deal. Take the inflatable to the ocean for general paddling and if it surfs, awesome. If it doesn't, rent a hard board for a few sessions and it all work out. Or, buy an inflatable that's made to surf.

These shorter SUPs will likely surf well enough for someone who's not trying to charge, but just play around at the coast I'm sure. But I have little river experience, is the move to shorter and shorter boards there as well? These seem short for paddling on a lake (the 9'6" will likely work ok at your weight). I'm assuming that in white water you want to be able to maneuver. If you're looking to paddle in still water I'd look at something longer maybe unless you have already picked these for your local river and have knowledge. As usual, it's all about compromise but for myself (I'm really small too) I like at least 10' for an all around board so maybe the 9'6" will cover you.

I think there are guys on here that can speak to this better but I gotta say, if you're buying something to do it all, you will compromise so pick g you do the most and buy for that. Then you can adapt to the stuff that's less common.

What do the other river guys say? Educate us!

[koma]

Hmm I am 179cm, 75kg ( 165lbs, 5'10 1/2). Which other inflatables did you try? What were their properties and why did they not catch?

Unfortunately I can only test the subs at a lake with no moving water. I only have access to sea/ocean on my kitesurfing holidays. I want to to SUP when the wind is low.

I have a couple of river waves nearby, this one for example


Very often they don't have enough power to be used with normal surfboards, so I figured a SUP might be fun.
I think all iSUPs will surf only over the fins as the rails are so/too thick.

The shorter board is 12cm the bigger one 15cm thick, I believe this difference will be pretty insignificant as I would need much thinner rails for the typical surfing feel?

I have access to more allround and racing oriented SUPs on the lake between 10'' and 13''.  I am often messing around trying handstands and riding with crossed legs etc...From my testing I concluded that I want a wider but shorter board.

I am a beginner at river/wild water SUPing but think I might enjoy it and I have a couple of interesting rivers nearby so my new board should be suitable for rivers.

Most river SUPs seem to have glued on fins, what I really like about the starboard is that they have interchangeable FCS fins, so I can try mounting bigger fins for deep water/surfing and even try whether it works with my kite in light winds
Any experiences with that?

[Fog City Rider]

Unfortunately there is no one board that will do everything well. 

To me, the Astro Streams look like general river-running boards and I would only get those if that will be your main use.  The 9'6 would be more forgiving & lend itself a little better towards general use, while the 8'6 would be more advanced & playful.   

Both of them will surf, recreationally.  But if river waves are your main usage rather than river running, I'd look into a more surf-specific inflatable because it will surf better in both river & ocean waves.  Smaller brands like Hala & Badfish even make river surf-specific inflatables. 

[PonoBill]

Most river boards I've used have very soft rails to let the water run under the board when you lighten up the rail. Not what you want in surfing in the ocean. Fine for standing waves.

[koma]

Thanks for the feedback. Hmm which concrete Models would you recommend? Would you go for the smaller or the bigger version? I can also imagine getting two boards in the long run, a smaller river surfer and a bigger touring board..

Main use will be paddling around on the lake and drifting down rivers with occasional trips to the sea, river and kitesurfing...

The ability to mount big fins for deep water / ocean surfing / kite surfing would be amazing.

I found these models interesting:

http://halagear.com/product/hala-peno-inflatable-paddle-board/

http://halagear.com/product/hala-atcha-river-whitewater-inflatable-paddle-board/

http://badfishsup.com/irs-inflatable-river-surfer/

I am more and more thinking about getting two boards a big one for touring around and a small one for action and my 55kg girlfriend.

[capobeachboy]

The Wiki Rail from ULI is a game-changer for iSUPs in the surf.  At first I thought it would not work well in rivers but the East & West coast ULI river riders have embraced it and since they have won some national events I'll take their word for it. The ULI Zettian series is designed for rivers but work well in the surf. The two models are 9' x 34" and 11' x 32".  They can be ordered in 100 mm or 120 mm thickness and the kevlar tech construction and high pressures make the thinner boards very rigid. The ULI Zettian MultiSport won the Payette River Games and one of our paddlers just got 2nd place against the 12'6" race boards at the La Ventana Classic in Baja this past weekend.

[Fog City Rider]

Main use will be paddling around on the lake and drifting down rivers with occasional trips to the sea, river and kitesurfing...

The ability to mount big fins for deep water / ocean surfing / kite surfing would be amazing.

I found these models interesting:

http://halagear.com/product/hala-peno-inflatable-paddle-board/

http://halagear.com/product/hala-atcha-river-whitewater-inflatable-paddle-board/

http://badfishsup.com/irs-inflatable-river-surfer/

I am more and more thinking about getting two boards a big one for touring around and a small one for action and my 55kg girlfriend.

I think that ULI Zettan multi-sport 11' with a wiki-rail is a good recommendation, that kinda sounds like it'll cover all your bases.

[koma]

Hmm I think I will find a 11" too long.
The normal Zettian seems shorter and wider.
https://www.uliboards.com/product/zettian

But these boards come with glued on fins, I think larger fins will be a game changer when it comes to deep water and kitesurfing.

[capobeachboy]

Actually ULI can build the board with FCS or Futures compatible fin boxes. If you like to occasionally go finless it's a good way to go.  Personally I like the urethane glued on fins - they have plenty of bite and you can't rip them off or destroy them and it's one less thing to worry about losing in travel.

[capobeachboy]

Not a SUP but here's an ULI inflatable surfboard slotted at a heavy San Diego reef notorious for sneaker sets.  I'd say that's a good testimonial.