Surfing Waves

I'm trying to find a board for overhead conditions on the Oahu south shore reef breaks. I've been surfing for about 4 years now and consider myself average surfing ability. I'm 5'8" and about 160lbs. I usually ride a 9' longboard in most conditions. I'll also ride a 5'6" trunk board when surf is clean and about chest high. Of the two, the longboard goes out when it gets overhead. However, the longboard will get held up on windy days and isn't the most agile thing out there.

If I had to list important qualties it would be...

1) easy to paddle into the wave
2) stable
3) can be a little late on the drop
4) more sporty than the longboard

I'm hoping you guys can reccommend some boards and dimensions. THANKS!!! From scouring the web I found the the following...

a) big shortboard - 6'8" and up
b) rusty pirahna
c) fireware addvance or dominator
d) bear wombat

If you really want a good board for overhead reef breaks. Check out the Channel Island K-step up, or the Channel Islands MSG (Merrick Semi Gun). Although these 2 boards will handle much bigger than overhead conditions, you will get the hold in and confidence on either of these 2 models. You can take off late and still make the drop so you do not need as much floatation for paddling. If riding a high performance board is not where you are at, then I would check out a board like the Merrick M13 with a rounded pin tail. Good Luck!

Thanks Tony! I hadn't even considered a gun like shape in my search. Will look into all the boards you suggested.

Talk to a couple of your buddies and find a referred local shapper and have a chat with him, tell him what you want, how you want to surf etc and if he is any good he will build your dream stick. The best thing I have done for my surfing was finding a quality shaper that builds high quality, custom boards for me and my abilities. My shaper has improved my surfing and stoke level 10 folds. My only problem with him is it takes forever to get a board built. I have a deposit with him since January for my new fish to be ready in "April" and its now May 21st yet still no new Fish. He has promised it to be ready this month though ....haha. Worth the wait for quality custom rides.

Talk to a couple of your buddies and find a referred local shapper and have a chat with him, tell him what you want, how you want to surf etc and if he is any good he will build your dream stick.


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I use a 6'8 step up for waves up to 10ft, then I go to my gun. My 6'8" has a little more thickness and width to make it easier to paddle into waves. A rusty piranah is not made for big waves, and the other brands you mentioned are just that, brands, they have 6'8 surfboards that would do.

When I was a bit lighter, your size, I used a 7ft skinny guy, but the older/bigger me needs volume more than length...

Go with rusty pirahna