We have been using the Starboard Hero for the past two years here at our watersports center located on Klong Dao Beach on the island of Koh Lanta in Thailand.  The Hero is the perfect board to teach kids and small adults how to SUP as it is easy to turn around, very stable, and just the right size for them.  The board is also amazing in waves and performs like a traditional surfboard but with the benefit of being able to catch the wave much sooner because of the speed you can achieve with the paddle.  You can do floaters, cutbacks, and all the tricks of your regular surfboard but catch twice as many waves, what is not to like?  Another great advantage of the board is the ability to teach surfing to beginners and get them surfing waves on their own in a matter of an hour or two instead of weeks and weeks with a traditional surfboard.  The Hero is so wide, at 33 inches, it gives a great platform for stability an helps the beginning surfer get the feel of the wave without falling in almost every time.  Check out the picture of some of the kids having fun on the board.  Great board and Great fun!!!