Surfing Waves

Hi all, I surf now for 2.5 years and have been on the water for about 75 days, I am old (51), big (6.3) and heavy (200lbs) and my current board is a 8.4 x 23 x 3 CI Waterhog, with which I am very happy under most conditions. However, most of my surfing has to happen during spring and summer vacations at the european atlantic coast and we always had lots of days with small and weak waves. My home spot (Dutch coast) is gutless windwell anyway. I see that on those days, longboarders still catch more waves than I do, and while that is certainly also skill related, I thought about getting additional help and getting a slightly bigger board to catch more waves. The main aim is to enjoy longer rides and more glide, noseriding is something I doubt I ever will be able to do. Due to limited storage space, I cannot go much longer than 9'. The new board should work in 1-4ft waves.

As there is a very limited used market in my country, I looked for a proposal from a local shaper. With my limited experience it looks fine, but would like some additional view - so what do you think about this shape:



Thanks!

What is your weight?

I'm about the same size, weight, and experience level as you, Oldie, and that board is almost exactly the same dimensions as the one I ride every weekend. Very, very happy with it, in both 4-5' waves and little puddle ripples.

Big H wrote:What is your weight?

200 lbs / 90 kg

Can't tell from the program, but i recommend NOT to put any concave under the nose.

( anyone notice the "221.95 beers" for volume ? )

waikikikichan wrote:Can't tell from the program, but i recommend NOT to put any concave under the nose.

Why not? Just curious.

Tudeo wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:Can't tell from the program, but i recommend NOT to put any concave under the nose.

Why not? Just curious.

Me too.

Does this recommendation go for the bottom contour that looks as it goes from concave in the front to vee in the back; or to the tear drop concave you see often on some noderiders?

Anyone with opinions on the rocker?

Tudeo wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:Can't tell from the program, but i recommend NOT to put any concave under the nose.

Why not? Just curious.

Because...............

Oldie wrote: The main aim is to enjoy longer rides and more glide, noseriding is something I doubt I ever will be able to do.

If you don't intend to noseride, leave out the nose concave. All it does is slow the paddling down ( but benefits creating the air pillow to perch on, which you don't need ). What you could ask for is to put a Beak / Eagle Nose on the top to add more float to the front.

Oldie wrote:Anyone with opinions on the rocker?

Leave that to the shaper. Those bottom contours, rails and rockers is the "magic' touch the shaper designs into the board. ( especially if he is making a board for the local break he is at ) It's like going to Dick Brewer and asking him to shape a board like Ben Aipa's. He'd probably say "go to Ben Aipa then !" But ......... if you owned and ridden 3 to 4 of the shapers boards, THEN you can start discussing about more / less of this or that. It's a work in progress, just like any relationship.