Surfing Waves

Hey just signed on to this forum thought I would post. I am sure it has been answered before but i just bought a new board, I have been surfing a 7ft 4inch, 21 1/4, 2 3/4 hybrid/minimal... I believe it is pu... This is all I have surfed...I have now decided to progress to an "EMERY BEEF" 6ft 10, 21 3/8, 2 3/4 this is more of a short board shape and will definitely be a handful!! What I am worried about is pressure dings and damage and durability... What are these epoxy boards like? My board is epoxy but has a wood stringer as well...I'm tipping this isn't fibre flex etc... I really am a novice with technology... Been surfing for years but just been working with the one board... Can someone help???? I'm scared to even strap it to the roof in case I ding it! Hahaha... I have a decent cover not supper padded but not a sock either, will this do?... The other thing I have been told is that I'm going to put pressure depressions just from surfing it... Is this how it will be? Will this matter??? Any ideas help or tips would be appreciated.

Attached are some snaps of the new stick.



Jay.

Hi mate,

board looks cool and whilst I have no idea what you surf like, I do know what its like to ride a 7'4 mini mal and from the photo's a 6' 10 looks like a good choice....I like the tail..

there are probably plenty of people with more expertise and more informed opinions than me out there, but I reckon don't worry about indentations etc...Its a board, surf the hell out of it and see how it goes,,,learn all about what it does, how it performs, how it handles in all the conditions and if it dings or dents up and it stresses you, just move onto another board....

I use to ride a 7'0 shortboard when I was a bit younger and the thing flies..I still have it but my surfing style and preference is changed. I mostly surf in average conditions and I got frustrated with the shortboard thing in average surf hence the mini mal etc etc....the point being is my 7.0 whilst a great handling board has compression spots and dents its in it....but is is still plenty surfable..

So for whatever my opinion might or might not be worth,enjoy your board and dont worry too much about all the other stuff you mentioned....

Ross

Hey Ross,

Thanks for the reply, I have surfed it a couple of times but waves have not been great, put a couple of dents in the deck already but I'm taking your advice and just getting into it and not worrying. The dents are just in front of the grip pad... I think I land my back foot there... I seem to be too far forward but feel if I am further back I'll just come off the back of the wave... Any tips on popping up onto the right spot? I have deliberately put wax only where I feel I should be standing with the intention that I will slip off if I'm not on the money... However I haven't yet slipped and only have seldom felt the grip pad... Reckon if I find a day with some more solid waves I'll be better able to get this baby going... I also find that when I paddle in and go to pop I delay a bit in a half prone position waiting to ensure I am "actually on" lol... Any tips on getting in and up quicker? I see some guys that just are so smooth and just make it look so effortless especially with their timing... Hope your break is going well over this festive season!

Jay.

Jay_EmeryBeef_AUS wrote: I also find that when I paddle in and go to pop I delay a bit in a half prone position waiting to ensure I am "actually on" lol... Any tips on getting in and up quicker

One More Stroke!

Rather than popping up as soon as you think you might have got the wave, and then waiting half-prone to make sure, take one (or two, or even three) more strokes than you think you need. Even if it feels like it will make you plummet down the face, take another stroke... then you'll feel that feeling when you know you've got it and it all goes a lot more smoothly

That will also help your foot land at the back of the board because the board will be accelerating underneath you as you push it down the face, rather than getting bogged down behind you as you pop up slowly.

The more you ride your board the more u will learn the 'pick up' feeling, keep at it mate!

DBB Has it right on the nail, one more stroke to get you down the face, try dropping your chin on the board as well to help you slide

I agree

Sick thanks guys I will give it a crack! Wind has crapped out woolamai (Phillip island) so I'm stuck on dry land... Where you guys get waves? I'm usually hunting Phillip island or Torquay/surf coast... I reckon I have been riding the mini mal too long and think with those couple extra strokes might get in better... Where you guys at?