Pro surfer Rebecca ‘Bec’ Dunning puts the new HONU Torquay board to the test in her home breaks

With Honu launching its brand-new carbon SUP surfboard this year, marking the brand’s return to its composite roots, we wanted to take a closer look at the design, shaping and thinking behind this latest addition to the range. Developed in collaboration with John “Bosch” Atkins of Blue Seas Watersports, a shaper, designer and surfer with more than 40 years of hands-on experience building and riding SUPs, the new Honu Torquay board brings decades of practical knowledge and craftsmanship to the brand’s latest chapter in SUP surfing.

To get a genuine local perspective on how the board performs in the waves, we caught up with Rebecca ‘Bec’ Dunning, a pro surfer, experienced coach and founder of Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, based in Shellharbour, New South Wales, Australia. With her deep roots in the local surf scene and years of experience on the water, Bec was perfectly placed to put the new HONU Torquay through its paces in her home breaks and share her thoughts on its design, feel and performance.

We spoke with Bec in the lead-up to this year’s Shellharbour SUP Festival, taking place from 30 October to 1 November. An annual celebration of stand-up paddleboarding, the festival brings together surfing and flatwater events, welcoming paddlers of all levels to share their passion for the sport.

Bec’s story is deeply connected to the Dharawal Country of the Illawarra region, where the land and waterways hold profound cultural significance. These connections are an important part of the local community and the relationship we build with the places where we paddle.

With this in mind, we chatted with Bec about her journey from surfing to SUP, the shared vision between Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour and HONU – two Australian brands united by a passion for the water, community and adventure – and what makes their partnership such a natural fit.

We also took the opportunity to hear her first-hand impressions of the new HONU Torquay, putting both the 7’1″ and 7’6″ SUP surf models through their paces in her local waves.

Photo by Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour

Hi Bec, welcome to TotalSUP! Could you share your journey from surfing and bodyboarding to SUP, and how Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour came to life?

Thanks for the invite, I love reading your stories to motivate me and inspire my paddle boarding. I became a bodyboarder at 13 and went on to win two Aussie national titles in 1994 and 1996. In 1996, I represented Australia at the World Surfing Games in California. From there, I progressed to surfing both shortboards and longboards, but family life took priority with my two beautiful girls, Allyssa and Zoe.

In 2012, I was introduced to paddleboarding. At the time, I told Justin, my husband, to get back on his shortboard and called him an old man for SUP surfing! Lucky he loves me so much! It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with the sport. I loved being able to SUP in the surf and on flatwater, in big or small swells, with our kids or on my own.

In 2016, we were offered a stand-up paddleboarding school, and that’s when our business, Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, was born. Coaching has always been in my blood. I’ve been a personal trainer for over 20 years, and sharing the stoke is something I truly love to do.

Photo by Australian Paddle Surfer

For those discovering SUP Shellharbour for the first time, how would you describe the brand, its mission and what you’re building within the local SUP community?

SUP Shellharbour vision is to be known as one of Australia’s premier Stand Up Paddle Boarding schools by continuing to deliver fun, safe and exhilarating SUP experiences, and to grow the passion for paddle boarding, enabling all abilities to ‘have a go’.

Our experiences are led by highly qualified instructors, designed to showcase the natural beauty, wildlife and relaxed coastal lifestyle of the Shellharbour region.

We don’t just rent SUPs, we lead amazing tours, coach SUP surfers, take guests on Night SUP experiences using underwater lighting, and relax guests with SUP Yoga. We are proud to deliver high-quality, sustainable experiences that connect visitors with nature and adventure.

Photo by Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour

How important is your connection to Dharawal Country and the local environment in shaping what SUP Shellharbour does and represents?

Our partnerships with local Dharawal leader, Dr Jodi Edwards, and Gumaraa local authentic Aboriginal experiences, allowed us to develop our Cultural Connections to Waterways tours. During the tour, guests hear the stories of country and deep cultural significance of the land and waterways of the Illawarra region. These connections are extremely important to us.

What do you think makes the Shellharbour coastline such a special place to paddle and surf?

Shellharbour is riddled with surf breaks – both sandy beach breaks and reefs, capturing swell from the north, east and south. We have endless choices for surf! There are also plenty of flat water options – from the lake to the river to creeks and the open ocean. We often paddle with seals, dolphins and even spot whales!

Photo by Michael Williams

Please tell us about the relationship between SUP Shellharbour and HONU. How did the collaboration come about?

After winning the 2025 National Titles at Phillip Island in Victoria, I was contacted by HONU. The CEO, Mark Travers, was super excited about the range of fibreglass SUPs about to be shaped and released onto the market.

I was previously sponsored by Wave Chaser and thank the owner Nigel for the opportunity to ride his boards. At the end of an era with Wave Chaser, I was in need of a sponsor, and Mark’s call couldn’t have come at a better time.

I was announced as part of the Australian Irukanji’s Team to compete at the 2026 World Titles and I was excited to be going on a brand new Honu SUP. Although the 2026 World Titles have been put on hold, I am keen to be training in readiness for the go-ahead.

Why HONU? What was it about the brand, its philosophy or its boards that made you want to work together?

Honu is an Australian brand. Its mantras include “Born amongst the waves” and “Inspired by the ocean”. That’s me! The ocean just seems to wash all your worries away.
When Mark said that he was collaborating with John “Bosch” Atkins who has more than 40 years of shaping, designing and surfing, and that I would love his designs… I was all in. It’s not often that women in sport are supported, and I am truly grateful to be a Honu Team rider.

Our business, Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour, takes guests for tours, teaches SUP Yoga, and even ventures out after hours for Night SUP. Honu inflatable SUPs offer our guests an amazing ride without compromising on quality. The Honu Bondi is an inflatable SUP surfboard which allows our guests confidence when learning to SUP surf. Their range is incredible.

Photo by Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour

You’ve had the chance to put both the 7’1″ and 7’6″ HONU Torquay SUP surf models through their paces. What were your first impressions of each board?

The shape was similar to what I had been riding previously, but the Torquay 7’1″ is 4″ shorter with an additional 2L of volume. It didn’t take long to get used to. My favourite feature is the rounded tail – it sure does move and sends a lot more spray. It responds beautifully through the bottom turn and clean out of top turns. My turns feel sharp and I feel in control, even in critical sections of the wave. The boards feel strong – it was a genius decision to off centre the handle so that the stringer doesn’t interupt the natural flex of the board. And the colour – just beautiful!

I’ve only had one opportunity to ride the 7’6″ in bigger surf so far. I was very impressed that it was just as easy to turn despite the difference of 8L of volume. It has the balance needed for bigger swell and choppier conditions without taking away any of the performance features. I’ll be taking both boards to Phillip Island, Victoria for this year’s Australian National Titles.

For someone moving from a larger all-round SUP into SUP surfing, which of the two would you recommend as the better progression board?

The Torquay comes in 6 sizes from a 7’1″ (78L) to a 9’5″ (147L) so there’s something for everyone. There’s a size guide on the webpage, but I’m always happy to lend my board to anyone that would like to try the two smaller options. We are holding the Shellharbour SUP Festival from 30th Oct – 1st Nov this year.

Honu will be there, so it’ll be a great opportunity to speak to us about the boards and try them out.

Photo by Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour

What makes the HONU Torquay a good fit for the SUP Shellharbour community?

Honu talks about how the oceans, lakes, and rivers connect us. The Shellharbour SUP community are a mix of both recreational and competitive paddlers, enjoying our time both on flat water and amongst waves. We believe that the only way forward is to unite all types of paddlers. Having a range of products to do so, lets us paddle together.

Photo by Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour

Thanks you so much for sharing your story – we can’t wait to follow your SUP surf sessions!

Revisit our conversation with Mark about the new Honu Torquay board 

To find out more about HONU, visit honuboards.com

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Follow Bec and Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour on Instagram and Facebook and visit their website supshellharbour.com