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Limits of wider/thicker boards? (semi fish/hybrids)

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:44 am
by Banks
After riding some pretty satisfying 6ft+ surf last week here in Cornwall (considering its the summer season) I am left wondering how much I can push using my rather thick and wide semi fish board before it becomes an issue. I expect to be riding similar sized surf, and bigger, once September and October hits.
I ride a 6' 6" webber fatburner with a low rocker which is 20' 3/4 wide and 2' 3/4 thick - arguably, pretty chunky compared to the average shortboard out there! It is designed for 1-4ft surf apparently...
Was riding the big surf pretty well, except for one wave where my feet slipped out as the board seemed to be firing a bit too fast during the bottom turn.
Does anyone have any experience of surfing similar boards in bigger conditions that aren't particularly suitable? and what are the limitations? Anything related to my particular example would be amazing.
Just wanting to know if i should consider buying something a bit thinner and narrower for those bigger days. thanks for any help.

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:01 am
by surferdude_scarborough
ive had a retro fish out in overhead and steepish waves. you should be fine on the fatburner. it doesnt get big all that often in britain.

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:53 am
by drowningbitbybit
If you can handle a genuine 6ft+ and only have one wipeout, then I'd say the board you're on is fine....

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:38 am
by isaluteyou
seen guys paddle out on a fish in DOH++ (probs close to 15/16ft)pounders couldnt say how they did as i was concentrating on not crapping myslef.
Your only limited by your skill - the contradiction to that is that a really skilled surfer would do a lot better on a board geared up for the coonditions


Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:20 am
by Banks
isaluteyou wrote:Your only limited by your skill - the contradiction to that is that a really skilled surfer would do a lot better on a board geared up for the coonditions

hmmmm. i think i may long it out til my next board purhase then - push the fatburner of mine in all types of conditions and then buy a new board when the feeling of freedom will follow. can only do good things for my ability!
however, there is an extremely tasty JP 6' 2" thumbtail shortboard i saw down a local shop yesterday and i cant say im more than tempted
thanks to you who have contributed to the thread so far

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 10:15 am
by drowningbitbybit
Banks wrote:however, there is an extremely tasty JP 6' 2" thumbtail shortboard i saw down a local shop yesterday and i cant say im more than tempted

Dont buy off the shelf. Get a custom made for yourself.

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 11:50 am
by surferdude_scarborough
definately get a custom. you will get exactly what you want that way. talk to kitesurfer. or check out JP surfboards in Swansea.

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:02 pm
by LucasG
surferdude_scarborough wrote:definately get a custom. you will get exactly what you want that way. talk to kitesurfer. or check out JP surfboards in Swansea.
And how would you know what you want? I mean how do you know what sizes will do better for you? I guess trying out several boards of different sizes?

Posted:
Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:25 pm
by isaluteyou
LucasG wrote:surferdude_scarborough wrote:definately get a custom. you will get exactly what you want that way. talk to kitesurfer. or check out JP surfboards in Swansea.
And how would you know what you want? I mean how do you know what sizes will do better for you? I guess trying out several boards of different sizes?
A shaper will make that judgement if you are undescided based on your requirements and skill level so honesty pays here when talking to a shaper
