From 6'4'' Thruster to Longboard... Advice needed!
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2015 3:34 pmTo my fellow surfers willing to provide sound advice,
I'm 24 years old, about 200lbs, 6'2''. I live on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) - Favorite local spot to surf is Assateague Island.
My first time ever surfing was about 4 years ago. My brother threw me on a 6'0'' during a hurricane in late September. I had a 3/2 wetsuit with holes in it, two left handed gloves, and a 'pair' of boots (one was size 11, the other size 12). Needless to say, I barely made it past the break and just sat there wondering "What am I doing out here?!".
I paddled for a few, got destroyed, and came home wondering, "When can I go back!" But in all honesty I was excited for the next swell to hit, just hoping for a little bit smaller and calmer waves the next time around...
I've kept with my surfing over the years. I bought a used Cole BDIII a few years back. 5'5'' x 21.5'' x 2.75''. That board was fun, but I knew I needed to progress to a proper shortboard if I wanted to advance at all in the sport.
I bought a Firewire Alternator last year. 6'4'' 19.5'' 2.25''.
I love this board when the waves are big and steep. I need to lose a few pounds for this winter as paddling this thing with a 6/5/4 and hood/gloves/boots is brutal when the water is 30F...
Last time I went out my friend had a beat-up Walden on the beach. It was an 8' x ? x ?. I asked if I could take it out. I have never ridden a longboard (does this justify a longboard?). It was a three fin setup and the board had been buckled twice and had countless repairs. This board was stiff as a rock. Am I selling this board yet, sounds great right?! Actually... That was the most fun I've had in 4 years surfing.
My first wave I paddled for. Popped up, walked the plank and got 5 toes hanging and stepped back before the wave died out.
I thought, "Man have I been punishing myself the last few years by never giving these things a chance!"
I want to keep my Firewire thruster for bigger days, though I'd love to take a longboard out on the next overhead clean day and see what I can do.
The thing is, I have nowhere to start... I want to get a feel for the traditional style of surfing. I'm sold on a single-fin longboard. I have no idea what length or width or tail, etc.
I'll be surfing 99% of the time at Assateague Island, which is longboarder's heaven apparently.
I want to just cruise and walk the plank.
I want to nose-ride and feel loose on the board.
If you were in my shoes (sandy feet?) what would you be looking to buy?
Thanks for all the help,
all things considered, I'd like to buy a used board... I know there are some great East Coast shapers, but I just can't justify dropping $1200 on a longboard at this time. Maybe one day!
Cheers!
-Logan
I'm 24 years old, about 200lbs, 6'2''. I live on the Eastern Shore (Maryland) - Favorite local spot to surf is Assateague Island.
My first time ever surfing was about 4 years ago. My brother threw me on a 6'0'' during a hurricane in late September. I had a 3/2 wetsuit with holes in it, two left handed gloves, and a 'pair' of boots (one was size 11, the other size 12). Needless to say, I barely made it past the break and just sat there wondering "What am I doing out here?!".
I paddled for a few, got destroyed, and came home wondering, "When can I go back!" But in all honesty I was excited for the next swell to hit, just hoping for a little bit smaller and calmer waves the next time around...
I've kept with my surfing over the years. I bought a used Cole BDIII a few years back. 5'5'' x 21.5'' x 2.75''. That board was fun, but I knew I needed to progress to a proper shortboard if I wanted to advance at all in the sport.
I bought a Firewire Alternator last year. 6'4'' 19.5'' 2.25''.
I love this board when the waves are big and steep. I need to lose a few pounds for this winter as paddling this thing with a 6/5/4 and hood/gloves/boots is brutal when the water is 30F...
Last time I went out my friend had a beat-up Walden on the beach. It was an 8' x ? x ?. I asked if I could take it out. I have never ridden a longboard (does this justify a longboard?). It was a three fin setup and the board had been buckled twice and had countless repairs. This board was stiff as a rock. Am I selling this board yet, sounds great right?! Actually... That was the most fun I've had in 4 years surfing.
My first wave I paddled for. Popped up, walked the plank and got 5 toes hanging and stepped back before the wave died out.
I thought, "Man have I been punishing myself the last few years by never giving these things a chance!"
I want to keep my Firewire thruster for bigger days, though I'd love to take a longboard out on the next overhead clean day and see what I can do.
The thing is, I have nowhere to start... I want to get a feel for the traditional style of surfing. I'm sold on a single-fin longboard. I have no idea what length or width or tail, etc.
I'll be surfing 99% of the time at Assateague Island, which is longboarder's heaven apparently.
I want to just cruise and walk the plank.
I want to nose-ride and feel loose on the board.
If you were in my shoes (sandy feet?) what would you be looking to buy?
Thanks for all the help,
all things considered, I'd like to buy a used board... I know there are some great East Coast shapers, but I just can't justify dropping $1200 on a longboard at this time. Maybe one day!
Cheers!
-Logan