# Is there a general consensus on SUP Surf Foil board design yet? **URL:** \ **Category:** Foils and Boards - Gear Talk\ **Created:** [February 3, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553 "2025-02-03T00:28:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 8:25am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/21 "2025-02-27T08:25:03Z")
Agree with this, the 8’11x17 is really miserable in the surf. Amazing for ocean bumps which is why I keep it, but I much prefer the 7’6x18 for catching waves, for the exact reasons you describe ---
**Author:** ![Beasho](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/beasho/32/197_2.png) [@Beasho](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Beasho)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:38pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/22 "2025-02-27T22:38:50Z")
**Long and Narrow: 100% Advantage over Short & Wide** 2 Summers ago I was SUP foiling Short Yellow vs. Long Narrow 50% of the time. 1 Summer ago I was SUP Foiling long narrow 100% of the time. Advantages: 1. Take off in almost ANY conditions. Small waves, flat water, wind chop, high wind, big waves . . . 2. Take off outside of ANY Surfers. 200 yards outside of the longest long-boarders. This means you don’t have to deal with crowds EVER AGAIN. 3. Ride the tiniest Waves. Last summer I was surfing the most crowded part of the United States in New England and was alone 15-20% of the time because people thought it was too small to surf. 4. Surf the biggest waves. This past week I was riding the 8’ 8" Orange board in 8 - 10 foot waves in and around Mavericks on an Axis 1350 fireball. Take off early and chose your destiny. The biggest problem with the Short and Wide boards is that you have to takeoff in or around crowds. Yes its fun to surf but you end up relegated deeper inside ‘old school’ surf breaks. When you learn how to take off, fly and pump downwind boards the entire ocean becomes your playground. ![2025_02 Boards Compared](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/a/a04115be12c059b183fcfdaf384f99a9af7ca570.png) ---
**Author:** ![Beasho](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/beasho/32/197_2.png) [@Beasho](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Beasho)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/23 "2025-02-27T22:43:45Z")
If you need more motivation watch this video of Kane riding a long-narrow board in the surf. Once your up and flying, as long as the board is light enough, you can surf it. [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/6/61068e6b545e9e9ce676b3a1a93660d2ba71339d.jpeg "KANE DE WILDE CARVING TIP OUT 360") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNSwoAvJcnk) ---
**Author:** ![drc13](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/drc13/32/8572_2.png) [@drc13](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/drc13)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/24 "2025-02-27T23:10:39Z")
Hah yeah already watched that video a few times, that’s what SUP foil is all about for me just smooth carves. I haven’t really considered short/wide again my interest is more in a less extreme DW shape kind of in between the two options 6’6-7’ish - 20ish I’m actually really interested to hear the dims of the board that @KDW is riding in this clip or his general thoughts in SUP surf boards vs full blow DW boards. ---
**Author:** ![DanFoil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/danfoil/32/4409_2.png) [@DanFoil](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/DanFoil)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/25 "2025-02-28T01:09:07Z")
Not 100% agree with you In my local spots you cannot catch the wave far away when is still a swell . You must catch the wave almost in the same lineup of the surfers/noraml SUP . The the long length becomes disadvantage. Also , in choosy and windy conditions the narrow board makes it hard to just stand and wait for the waves. ---
**Author:** ![Dontsink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@Dontsink](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Dontsink)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 7:30am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/26 "2025-02-28T07:30:25Z")
6.8 x 27.5 x 110lt is what i am riding I tried 6.8 x 23 but i just was falling too much when positioning and waiting unless it was really calm. And it is always pretty lumpy here. Maybe i will get better… I would really love to try a superlight narrow and +7footer like the Orange Crush ,just to see if the lenght will add stability enough for my abilities and conditions. Another problem is that in my car i can fit max 7, maybe 7.2 lenght inside. Longer would be roofrack with all the hassle that entails.Fuel,theft,board overheat in sun… ![1000043467](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/0/0126808815fd0cf92f961d9d2221b4e83d2548af.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 8:12am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/27 "2025-02-28T08:12:47Z")
I ride the longer board when conditions are as you describe, but the board handling in the surf is much worse, This is just physics of a long board in the water. And riding experience is worse, not terrible, but a huge compromise. After riding a longer board, it makes a 7’ feel like a prone board. On both I can paddle up on bumps, only the long board is necessary for faster swells, in which case I’m probably downwinding and happy for compromise. Kane can ride more aggressively on a smaller board for sure, that video doesn’t prove your point, only carves and cruising ---
**Author:** ![Dontsink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@Dontsink](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Dontsink)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:20am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/28 "2025-02-28T09:20:05Z")
You have to take into account that Beasho’s Orange Crush boatd weighs only 4.9kg, less than most Midlenghts by top brands. And that the teardrop shape allows a very forward Center of Buoyancy and therefore a very forward foil position. Which further reduces swing inertia and lenght of board in front of the foil Very interesting board that probably outsurfs most DW shapes. ---
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:23am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/29 "2025-02-28T09:23:22Z")
the primary issue and topic raised is about handling in the water. I’m not a physicist but I don’t think 1-2kg makes a difference in the water > [@jondrums](#): > > Where I am having trouble though is “spinning to go” on a wave, and maneuvering into the right spot. Also once going for the wave I find myself wanting to turn while the board is still in the water (start paddling perpendicular to the wave, turn down the line before or as the foil engages). > [@Matt](#): > > but the board handling in the surf is much worse, This is just physics of a long board in the water. In the air the weight makes a big difference sure, but everything is a tradeoff. Point is that someone buying a 8-9ft board should be aware that it’s a hassle in the surf lineup ---
**Author:** ![Dontsink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@Dontsink](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Dontsink)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:42am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/30 "2025-02-28T09:42:26Z")
I make my own boards and i cannot agree on the importance of weight. Half a kilo is a big deal for me,it takes away so much liveliness even in a short 5.2 wingfoil board. On longer lenghts it matters even more due to the longer swing arm. EDIT: i did not read your post fully ,sorry ☹ If you mean difference when floating around then i agree, no t a big factor. But for getting up and turning then yes. ---
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 11:51am UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/31 "2025-04-14T11:51:42Z")
> [@Matt](#): > > Kane can ride more aggressively on a smaller board for sure, that video doesn’t prove your point, only carves and cruising Not sure if this is additive towards any idea of consensus on SUP design other than Kane is able to rip incredibly hard on that thing. Incredible!! > **[mama karen on Instagram: "Smooth SUP Foil carves in Heat 2: Kane Eddie Ian...](https://www.instagram.com/reels/DDdXuwDyJvr/)** > > 3,930 likes, 49 comments - foil\_fan on December 11, 2024: "Smooth SUP Foil carves in Heat 2: Kane Eddie Ian Pono Tyler Ryan > @kdmaui @eddieofoil @ianchun34 @its\_me\_pono @tychi1808 @lafoiler > @foil\_fever @kaohileash @hawaiianalldatime @shanedeetman". > **[mama karen on Instagram: "🥇SUP: Kane relentless carving🔥 Foilers of Aloha...](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DDib1gbS0r9/)** > > 569 likes, 19 comments - foil\_fan on December 13, 2024: "🥇SUP: Kane relentless carving🔥 > Foilers of Aloha Kauai 2024 > @ktfoiling > @foil\_fever @kaohileash @its\_me\_pono @hawiianalldatime @shanedeetman". ---
**Author:** ![Gorgesailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/82dd89/32.png) [@Gorgesailor](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Gorgesailor)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 4:52pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/32 "2025-04-14T16:52:57Z")
Noticed these boards don’t have the roundness of most of Kanes earlier shapes … pretty flat on the bottom… ---
**Author:** ![SpokeyDoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc29f/32.png) [@SpokeyDoke](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/SpokeyDoke)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/33 "2025-04-14T18:31:19Z")
Not much discussion of rocker here yet…and the Frank/Axis Mako is touting that as one of its defining characteristics (“banana board”)…I haven’t seen that much from others moving very far in that direction so far…thoughts? updates? ---
**Author:** ![FoilFondler](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/foilfondler/32/299_2.png) [@FoilFondler](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/FoilFondler)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 7:17pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/34 "2025-04-14T19:17:32Z")
I think the banana shape you mention makes a lot of sense for wind chop and maybe for going lower volume. The former since I’ve noticed when in a deep trough when you want to be putting the power down, you are suddenly balancing on the ends of the board, and thus suddenly unstable. The latter since the center of flotation is closer to your feet, so maybe more stable? And also for dw, the wind pushes you faster if narrow, and that creates stability, so loss of stability is more mitigated in dw than for surf I’d guess. I have a Kalama 7.5’x22” that has been great in the surf. ---
**Author:** ![venturaChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@venturaChris](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/venturaChris)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/35 "2025-04-15T16:19:54Z")
I finally was able to ride my “frank” board that I built so its not 100% the same but I did have a scan of the frank board at my disposal. The banana shape is pretty unstable and wants to spin when you are paddling. It doesn’t want to track straight like my Kalama 7’10. It really really likes to turn. The rocker is extremely nice once up on a wave however. ---
**Author:** ![Matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Matt](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Matt)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/36 "2025-04-16T15:29:59Z")
> [@venturaChris](#): > > The banana shape is pretty unstable and wants to spin when you are paddling. It doesn’t want to track straight like my Kalama 7’10. It really really likes to turn. The rocker is extremely nice once up on a wave however. This tracks (lol) with my experience with more rockered boards. ---
**Author:** ![drc13](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/drc13/32/8572_2.png) [@drc13](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/drc13)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2025, 11:57pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/37 "2025-04-27T23:57:44Z")
I can actually add a little bit extra info now as in the past week I picked up a smaller SUP to finally find out if I could feel a difference in surf performance at all. I went from a 7’10 x 19.5 @110L board to a 6’10 x 20 @95L board (about 800g lighter) so it’s not apples to apples with the volume but I can report back even at these early stages of getting used to a new board, it surfs and pumps much better! I have definitely lost a bit of paddle speed so not sure how it would go in really small conditions but in the waves we had over the weekend I was getting 35 decent waves a session so it’s still a wave catching machine. I don’t think I could go all the way down to 5’ though but can say I definitely noticed the difference of 1ft shorter and 15L less. Goodbye 110L you served me very well ![_HDZ3284-(ZF-2699-34352-1-001)](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/a/af1a93afc562e31f309d7c53330ae618e65e42eb.jpeg) Hello to possibly the ugliest board in history but damn it surfs well 🍆 ![IMG_5435](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/4/47082c9489e6e7ea702691e097524365817e3b84.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Erwin\_VMG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/erwin_vmg/32/11651_2.png) [@Erwin\_VMG](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Erwin_VMG)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/38 "2025-12-18T21:56:02Z")
mid-length board (6’6”, 88L) seems easier to pump and carve around in the surf ![IMG_6427](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/progressionproject/original/2X/6/667d751750e1fcff56ed7957cd5701b1283c9e9d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![drc13](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/drc13/32/8572_2.png) [@drc13](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/drc13)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2025, 11:04pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/39 "2025-12-18T23:04:26Z")
Very nice! Good bump too as I actually have my next SUP surf board on order and I’m pretty excited for it. Went with a custom Amos Cypher (wing) 6’6 x 21 @85L but here’s the exciting bit, built in their new carbon/kevlar construction which apparently is very light and strong. Hopefully receive it some time January/February ---
**Author:** ![Steve](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.progressionproject.com/steve/32/6617_2.png) [@Steve](https://forum.progressionproject.com/u/Steve)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2025, 12:53pm UTC](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553/40 "2025-12-19T12:53:59Z")
Size matters, first transition was 8’6” down to 7’ once you start dropping down it’s really hard to go back. Now I’m down to a custom 5’11” x 18” 92L. Love it for DW but SUP surfing this small is past the point of diminishing returns I think and mid 6’ range probably more ideal but I haven’t tested that theory yet. it takes time but once you figure out the technique on small boards you’ll never look back, it’s like prone surfing with a paddle in your hand. [Previous page](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553.md?page=1) [Next page](https://forum.progressionproject.com/t/is-there-a-general-consensus-on-sup-surf-foil-board-design-yet/8553.md?page=3)