Hi Everyone, I'm looking at changing sups and would like some advice and opinions. I've been surfing shortboards for 45 years and reasonably competent. Been riding sups 7 years now, probably more than prone surfing and maybe once or twice a week and would say intermediate level. I'm 5'8" and 65kgs. I ride up to about 4 foot surf and generally reefs but nothing too critical. I'm on a Hypernut 7'2"x28" @105 L which is fantastic but I reckon I could comfotably go less volume. Before that a Raptor 7'x31"@116L which I loved but a bit too much volume for me. I tried the 28" wide Raptor and JP slate years ago but they were a bit above my skill level then. I've been trying to find a 28" Raptor but there's none around.Naish has a couple of newer models of crossovers with foil boxes and about 700grm extra weight and based on the Raptor shape but I prefer short board style surfing and not really interested in foiling. On my current Hypernut I still fall off a few times waiting for waves esp in chop that's why I'm thinking probably 28" width is about as narrow as I could comfortably go. I like the look of the 7'2" x 27" Minions but don't want to spend more time in the water than above it. Any thoughts on my next board? Cheers!
I'd say just adjust your footing to get more balance in chop, so you will not be limited to high volume boards.www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/SUP/Mastering-lateral-balance-on-a-small-SUP-board
Then I would suggest going down in volume, to avoid the cork effect in chop (I guess you could drop to 85 / 90 liters), but keep some width for stability, especially since you are tall, I would stay in the 28"+ range since you do not go out in big waves
However I would try to get a bit more pulled in nose and tails than the hypernut and raptor shapes. These full "Tomo" shapes are fun in weak and slow waves, but I find them a bit limited for performance surfing: the wide square nose catch rails on committed rail turns, and the wide tail slows the rail-to-rail action.
Ah, and the lighter, the better, especially at your weight.
I',m similar size to you, its impossible to find stock boards of proper volume (1.4 ratio or less) in stable outline. Consider custom or have one of the production brands thin out a stock model for your size. Colas has good rec. for shape, for myself I would call anything over 27'' stable for a wider nose/tail kind of a shape, and 28'' stable for a performance shape. 26'' and below for advanced performance or if less skilled dead smooth water. Lighter riders can definitely go narrower but there is no formula for this that I have found.
Hi Colas and Slsurf, thanks heaps for your info and links Colas and board info Slsurf. What you describe makes so much sense from a physics and practical sense. I enjoyed the link and your videos and will be totally re-thinking my next board shape and volume. First I'll be in the water and learning and trying the new stance. Will let you know how I go and what I end up getting. Have a great one guys!!!
Personally, would strongly suggest you consider a Smik hipster twin. Very stable board but still has a more pulled in tail with the hip and fin combo allowing for very snappy turns. Fast and fun and work well in a wide range of conditions. You could surf 27" wide comfortably I reckon as still a pretty parallel outline. In my experience a much better board than the minion (I have both though Smik less volume). Colas' comments re the downside of Thommo shapes spot on for the minion which requires good footwork with back foot to extract proper performance. Smik rail to rail transition much better.
Hi Steve, at 65 kg and with so many years of surfing background, I suggest that you meet a local shaper to make you build a custom board as the construction of the board can be done as a normal sufboard with a stringer and epoxy glassing.
Just an idea of your board 7'2" 26'5" 81 litres , what's your though please?
www.shape3d.com/Viewers/Viewer3D.aspx?Account=6301&BoardName=STEVE8
I have almost the opposite issue to you. I am similar height/weight (a little heavier at around 71-72kg) and recently downsized to a Starboard 7'10 x 28 (102L). Im looking for something more stable for choppy/weak/mushy conditions. Hypernut is on my short list, but just saw a Smik Spitfire for sale
Honestly, I have bought and sold like 20 Sup boards. I constantly get lured back to the concept of these boards, but the reality is that these square outline boards just do not perform as well as the more traditional shapes...I recently fell back in love with the concept, bought a 72 X 26 JP slate (at 1:1 weight to volume) and it still does not surf as near as well as the 7'4 x 27 JP pro. Theres a reason why you don't see these shapes at contests... In a fast beach break close out where speed is everything, it has a place, but in anything else, just ride a more traditional outline board - like the SMIK hipster or whatever
Steve8
Front fins are now the rear 4.5's and rear two fins are 3.3's.
The original H'NUT fin set inhibited the performance of the h'nut design I believe