Surfing Waves

Hi everyone! I live in San Diego, and the waves here are small most of the time. Most of the year, its smallish, under 5 feet. As such, my quiver is geared more towards smaller waves. I ride allot of hybrid, groveler shapes, fishes, and I own a fun board for when it gets really small. I do have a thruster that I ride when the waves get bigger, more powerful, and punchier. It goes good in that 6-7 foot range. My question is that I don't own a board for waves in that 8-10+ ft range. It very rarely gets this big in san diego. But when it does, I take out my thruster and I feel completely under-gunned, with no paddle power to get into waves of that size. I live in an apartment with limited space and no garage, and my wife is already pissed about the 6 boards I own taking up too much space. Do you think it would be worth it to invest in a step up board? I'm thinking no, because it rarely gets that big in SD. Honestly, how often would I use it? Maybe a few times a year max. Maybe I'm just looking for an excuse to buy a new board. I'd like to get something similar to my thruster (6'3), but a meaty 6'10 - 7'2, that would cruise into big one's easily.

Should I go for it, or no?

What does your wife really want, what could you bribe( buy) her?
Sell a couple of the grovellers and create space FIXED!
SW marriage counselling 101

I do like Jaffa's idea of selling a couple grovelers to create space. I will say that having the right board when the surf gets bigger can make a huge difference. I know when I have been under gunned or on the wrong board my confidence has suffered.

hit_the_lip wrote: I'd like to get something similar to my thruster (6'3), but a meaty 6'10 - 7'2, that would cruise into big one's easily.

Yes, go for it.
I bought something similar recently (6'10 x 21 x 2 3/4 - fairly high performance with proper rocker and rails) and not only is it a marked improvement on big days, it's become my go-to board of choice as it ups my wave count dramatically in almost all conditions.

You are asking a surfing forum whether or not to buy a new board? Obviously 'yes' is the answer. Even if you dont need it.

that question comes up alot with socal surfers. I'd say get one, and since it your only using it maybe twice a year, it will last forever.

I don't know, I don't think you should get a proper setup, if you see the boards in my quiver most of my shapes are pretty close to groveler, but my latest board has handled all the way up to 6 foot hawaiian so just about 10-12 haole. and I'm pretty sure I could push it farther but unless you're going to be charging some sick heavy 10 footers I think step ups are a waste of money, most people don't/ won't ever need the extra rail it creates in order to fully utilize a step up. With that being said, if you're using it as another excuse to get a board…why the hell not!? lol

Yes buy a step up. Just do it!!!

I don't use it all the time but every time I do I am grateful I have one.

I actually use it more often when I'm under the weather (or hung over, though I don't drink much so it doesn't take much to get a hang over). I use it so I can surf but use less energy in paddling and such. It also comes in handy when you want to surf mushy tourmaline of sunset cliffs

You wont use it often so it will last longer. You will not lose money in the long run.

You shouldn't need a step up board until it gets to atleast 7-8 foot (by that i mean Hawaiian or Australian measurement) Also depending on how hollow the waves in sd get, i'm usually fine riding my 5'8 shortboard all the way up to 6 foot.