No space in apartment for Longboard (2nd best alternative?)

[creweba]

This question is different from the numerous "Longboard alternative" questions because of the reason. I am primarily a longboarder, but I just moved to a place where it just won't fit inside my apartment. Most of the breaks here are small and mushy for the most part, so I wanted to get a board that while not long as a longboard, can still paddle like a longboard. Main reason really is that I don't think I have enough paddle power to paddle shortboards into mushy waves.

Some of the stuff I am considering are the Firewire Submoon (7'6), Greedy Beaver or Addvantage.

[Big H]

(2nd best alternative) - Storage unit?

Take a look at the last page of this thread; addresses your questions almost exactly....down to q&a about the addvance and greedy beaver:

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2305&start=140

[pmcaero]

Also... taking it out and back in is always an issue. Get a board bag or a plastic board. My first board, and the longest I own, is a 7'9 Bic made of plastic, and it fits inside the closet (I have high ceilings) but every time I move it it bangs into something.

[oldgrom22]

The main question should be your size(ht/wt) and abilitites. Any of those boards could work as a longboard alternative, but will be dependent on your skills. If paddle power is a concern, I would say get the biggest funboard(LB outline) that you can fit into your place. Evaluate your skills(be brutally honest) to see how much of a step down you're ready for, otherwise you could be in for some frustrating times.

[creweba]

Thanks guys. Ended up with a McTavish Sumo 6'4. Saw one at half the price of the Submoon and it has good volume. (Speaking of, the Firewire volume calculator estimates my ideal voulme at 47-57 while everything else says 35-45L)

Oldgrom I hope I was brutally honest in assessing my skill and not regret it! I just wish I had space for a longboard!

[dtc]

Sumo is a nice board, good choice.

[waikikikichan]

There's got to be a longer span of 10 feet in your apartment. I have put my longboard(s) behind the couch. But I can understand if a longboard doesn't fit in your elevator or stairwell.

I think you should've gone more with a 7'2"ish fun/mini-mal, over that 6'4" Sumo. Awhile back there was this trend for longboarders to try go mid-length or squatted boards. "All the ease of catching like a longboard and the maneuvering of a shortboard" was the hype. Those boards like the Donald Takayama Scorpion ( and the McTavish Sumo ) is basically a trash can nose pin tail longboard missing 3 feet in the middle. A lot of my customers found out it didn't hold in well to the wave. The wide nose would catch on turns and push the front out of the trim line.

But at least now it'll only take one step to get to the nose.

[creweba]

Hi Waikikichan,
I live in Japan like you, so it is quite hard. Yes, the problem is actually the elevator and stairs, plus inside the house, the problem is the wife, who will most probably not allow me to put it behind the couch, haha. I'm really a longboarder but since I haven't surfed awhile + space problems + mushy waves in Western Kyushu makes me compromise. What board would you have recommended? Also, Board lockers would cost me 40,000 yen a year!

I wish I read your comment about the Sumo earlier. Already purchased it. I did read a lot of good reviews about it online though.

Hi DTC, thanks. Wasn't sure if I should get the 6'4 or 6'6. Guys from McTavish seem to think 6'6 has too much volume for me.

[waikikikichan]

As they say here, "Shoganai" - "it can't be helped" or "that's the way it goes". But also I would say, "better a board than no board".

I surfed North Kyushu, which was all beach break. If your rides are short quick dumpy mush, than maybe it won't matter if you had a long(er) board.

[creweba]

shoganai desu ne. Yes, mostly dumpy beach breaks. Was wondering why there arent many longboarders despite the small waves, I guess its because of the short rides? So I guess longboards aren't ideal for Fukuoka area?

Hope to do weekend trips to Miyazaki though.

[dtc]

I'm actually visiting Japan at the moment being a full on tourist. In Kyoto right now looking forward to a day of temples and shrines.

Nothing to do with surfing but I did see the ocean in the distance on the Shinkansen

[creweba]

Coincidentally, I was in Kyoto last week and learned that apparently they have good waves there.

[oldgrom22]

Let us know how you get on with that Sumo. I was actually looking into that board myself when I was dropping down, looks fun.

[creweba]

Waikikichan,
The store says I can exchange it for a 6'8 for an additional 4,000 yen for shipping. Do you think the extra 4 inches are worth it?
Essentially here are my specs:

145 lbs, 5'11 tall (180 cm), former board was 9'0. weekend surfer.

As they say here, "Shoganai" - "it can't be helped" or "that's the way it goes". But also I would say, "better a board than no board".

I surfed North Kyushu, which was all beach break. If your rides are short quick dumpy mush, than maybe it won't matter if you had a long(er) board.

[waikikikichan]

It's not so much the length that concerns me, but the PIN tail. If you are used to riding pin tails, maybe. But on dumpy quick beach break, I would go with a wide squash or Swallow tail. Something you can push against to hold momentum in Mush. Pins are usually more for down the line faces.

[waikikikichan]

Just thinking you might have a easier time duck diving the 6'4" versus the 6'8" with your height. I know I can't duck dive a 6'8". You already thought, researched and bought the 6'4" sumo. Just stick with it and make the most out of it.

[creweba]

Wakarimashita! I doubt I would need to do any duckdiving with the 1-2 feet beach break waves though (is it really that bad here?)