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On the other hand, yesterday I took my small wave board (6'10" x 31" x 125 liters), as the buoys were showing weak conditions: 1'-2', 7s period. But the sets quickly became quite powerful, a good head high with at least 10s period, and the peak was focusing efficiently the swell.
My board had too much width and volume for the conditions. Normally I would be on my 7'3" x 29.5" x 105 board for my 100kg. But I was lazy, didn't feel like taking the long walk on the sand to the van, so I stayed on my too voluminous board. And after some technique adjustments (akin to riding a twin fin), I actually had a blast! Volume has advantages, the added speed on open face surfing and carving can be exhilarating. Rail turns especially: with the volume, the rail does not dig very deep, so with the proper gear (well shaped rail + big twin fins so that the rail does not move sideways and lose speed) and technique (try to use a longer length of the rail), you actually can do rail turns with a wetted surface smaller than a foil, with the feeling of being on rollercoaster rails with no drag. The speed on fast sections was intoxicating.
Of course, I would have been better on a smaller board, and able to engage more easily and safer in turns. There is no question. But some volume is not all bad, it has also some advantages.
Am I on a board that's to big and makes it more difficult? I bought my first SUP last summer 8'2 x 32 x 4.25 = 122L and I learned pretty quick but seem to have stalled out. The board feels tippy but yet it's way over volumed for my size (5'10") 65kg. I borrowed a friends 112L board and had a lot more fun surfing and it wasn't any harder to balance on. I'm relatively new to the sport, but my go to surfboard is a 5'2 25L board so no problem surfing. Maybe I would benefit from a second hand 90Lish board and struggle for a few weeks, or is this too much of a volume jump from my current board? That 122L board I have now is great for little knee to chest high sets but when it gets a bit bigger I feel like I'm trying to steer a boat by walking around on the deck. I imagine the struggle to paddle out and stay upright in the flat stuff might be worth the effort if I can catch a wave, plant my feet and actually surf rather than hang on. Anyone have advice on progression? After reading through some comments 1.3 ratio or 85L might even be possible!?
Similar dilemma at 60-62kg.
But what length board at 80L ?
Too short can be a nightmare .
Too narrow and you will be falling of whilst paddling for a wave (especially at a shorter length )
Too square nosed and it's harder to turn and harder to paddle into off shore winds .
The lowest volume board I have is 109L 7'5 Slab and it feels good in small stuff. I actually have a 9'1 Acid (124L) yeah way too big but excellent in less than 3-4ft.
I also have an 8'8 Speeed (122L) which is also great on small waves but can get out of control on 3ft plus.....thrown of the back as this thing flies ......prefer the Acid for control.
Am considering an 8'4 Flow (110L) , 8'7 Acid (106L) or 8'6 Flash (112L) next . 8'1 (100L) Flow is the max lowest I will consider because of loss of paddle speed . Being to close to the pocket on a crowded beach break ion Sydney is no fun. It is a bit of a dilemma
Good rail shape on these high volume boards has helped quite a bit . A bulky rail would be a nightmare
GBoots,
FYI Deep customs about $1800
Ecs, Surefire customs also about the same...
One Sup customs about $1700
Sunova normal rrp + 5% for custom, 5% again for custom colour etc
I also really like the idea of the Infinity new deal 9 x 26 x 93L...different style of board but would be sick in crowded line up... but at $3k it's not cheap!
If you're shortboarding at 25 litres you wont to stand up those large floating board like SUP are on the sailing market now. And there are few chances to find the right shoe size for your feet. I reckon to you to do a custom board to fit your shortboard surfing style.
Like this board 88 litres would be velvet for you after some training.
Never give up the gift is at the end of the way.
www.shape3d.com/Viewers/Viewer3D.aspx?Account=6301&BoardName=MINE+BOARD
If you're shortboarding at 25 litres you wont to stand those large floating board like SUP are on the sailing market now. And there are few chances to find the right shoe size for your feet. I reckon to you to do a custom board to fit your shortboard surfing style.
Like this board 88 litres would be velvet for you after some training.
Never give up the gift is at the end of the way.
www.shape3d.com/Viewers/Viewer3D.aspx?Account=6301&BoardName=MINE+BOARD
Kami, that board you linked too looks amazing. I ran into a guy on a recent surf trip to Costa Rica who had a similar shape and he was much bigger than me, with an 88L board. Have you seen Portal Surf Designs barra or phantom boards? This is what he was using and I think a link to his design explanation is somewhere in this thread. The round pin tail and slightly pulled in nose just makes sense to me. I think I'll start watching the local adds for a smaller fun shape or surf oriented SUP. I'd rather struggle on a cheaper used board than dish out $$$ for a custom, but maybe soon.
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=2ahUKEwi7i8iBuarhAhWxKH0KHQuRCPUQwqsBMAN6BAgIEBA&usg=AOvVaw0VTJzWxrN8ZFOD4xbU2nov
Gboots, I only live down the road from you in Miranda and have a couple of boards that you are welcome to try if you want. BTW, I'm 71kgs at 178cm.
I have a JP Surf Pro 8' x 27" @95L and recently dropped to a Sunova Acid 7'10" x 26.5 @80L
Both great performance boards that work best when the surf lights up. FYI, Had my 5th surf this morning (in winter wetsuit) on the Acid for 2+ hours in these conditions (was windy down the coal coast this morning) and am convinced of the benefits of dropping litres for what I want, which is sacrificing wave count for more lively surfing and turning in the pocket.
Cheers
Thanks Potty . Impressive.
You must have an amazing core and strength . An Acid of that size needs some seriously good balance and foot placement
You also raise a good point about
wave count vs quality . Wave count is important to me as I get limited opportunity and I also haven't got the skills to be in a crowded pocket . Not yet and maybe never
I am satisfied with the boards I have and my wave count that's for sure but I would not mind taking it to next level.
End of season is not far away and there will be sales so this may be a good opportunity to find something during the off-season.
I just want to give my advice which is maybe go short and wide, I can only tolerate a 7.6 X 27.5 = 90L for larger surf now, a 7.4 x 28.5 = 85L for crappy conditions, but my all rounder is a 7.2 x 30" = 90L for everything, I feel like a longer board is just too hard / does not turn quick enough and a short board handles and surfs much better and is more fun!:-)
Here is some analysis on some boards I have looked at this arvo.
Of interest is the tail and nose width provided by Sunova on their page that provide an additional stability consideration. The Acid for example looks a good option on ratios but you better be on it with that nose and tail width.
I have allowed about 3kg extra for winter . Dropping or putting on a kilo makes quite a bit of different to ratios the smaller you go
Numbers off course don't tell you everything but they are a good starting point
Well I've dropped a heap of weight and now sit at 82kg. Mostly surfing a 7'2 x 25 jp surf pro. Only a few surfs in but it's feeling OK.
In fact, my 7'4 90litre board felt worse the lower weight. Something about the jp I think.
Anyway, I just got a 7'5 x 24 ex harry maskell board at 75l to try - hopefully this weekend.
I've been enjoying the challenge of dropping board size, so much so it's been the driving factor of my weight loss. Been a very long time since I've fitted in 30inch jeans ??
Back to points raised before. Start with what you want, commit and then be determined and patient! You'll get there
Thanks Matt.
Lots of generosity on this site . Amazing group of people.
Appreciate the offers from yourself and Potty.
What I really need to do as just go for it and buy a low litre board and put in the hard yards. Sounds like it's worth a shot. Probably will need some boring flat water paddle sessions to get my sea legs first .
