Hydrus Paradise

“I think the question is more are you buying it for paddling OR surfing. If it's a flatwater board it's going to feel like a boat in the surf and if it's a surfboard it's going to feel like standing on an exercise ball on flat (I'm exaggerating). Some backstory: my buddy got a 10'8 board because it was cheaper (he's 6'4, probably north of 210lbs) and anything short of pure glass and he just sits down because he can't balance on it at all (he's also really good at slackline, so his balance is pretty fantastic in general). I got a Bluefin Cruise Carbon 12' initially (I'm 6', 185lbs) and with regular chop it was a little tippy at first, but a month later I bought a Hydrus Paradise X (I don't remember the exact measurements, but it's something like 13'3" x 28.5"). I'm totally fine on it in flats and I'm not sure if I ever fell off it in chop, but let's just say if there's a boat flying by beside me I brace myself (I also have slacklined a ton, so my general balance is really good, but then I tore everything in one knee so the side to side stability took a hit). Take that all as you will, but personally I wouldn't risk it without at least finding a place you can demo the board. Otherwise, size up. More stable can be more boring, but unusable absolutely sucks.”