Surfing a narrow board

[BaNZ]

I rented a 8'6 board that seems to be more narrow compared to my own board. But I checked the spec and it isn't. My Torq has more volume, width and thickness throughout the entire board. Whereas this board is about the same width 22 5/8 vs 22 3/4. It did feel a lot more narrow on the front of the board. I felt like I was able to catch waves easier and paddle faster with my noodle arms. Balancing was a bit harder but I did felt that it was easier and faster to turn. Actually I really enjoyed it.

Would I be right to think that a narrow board would give me more speed and easier to turn but harder to balance? Perhaps it is time to move off the Torq and go on something else.

[dtc]

Remember that a board's width is only the widest point; if you have a longboard shape with parallel rails, then it will be wide for quite a lot of the board. If you have a hybrid or egg shape, then the wide point may literally be a single point.

So why the hired board was easier to turn could well be the outline rather than the width (given you say it felt a lot more narrow along the front). Narrow nosed boards can be easier to paddle, especially through choppy water; although if you are paddling a long distance then that advantage disappears in my experience (the broader/more stable nose will help out). But just paddling from shore to the waves, narrower noses can be easier unless conditions are glassy. They cut through the water/waves rather than just slap up against them.

As to catching the wave, that may be related to paddling but it just might be a wider or thicker tail, or you were 'on' with a new board because you were really focused and not being lazy. Although less stable boards feel faster because you are doing a lot more with your body; stable boards you stand there and can just take it easy. All else being equal narrower boards will be less stable; but a narrow nosed/tailed wide board (eg hybrid) will be less stable than a thinner board with a wide nose

Narrower boards wont be faster, but they will be easier to go from rail to rail simply because there is less distance to travel. That can cause them to create a lot of speed. I like this article, saying 'narrow boards are quicker, wide boards are faster'

http://www.surfline.com/blogs/talking-d ... s-a_40518/

But the outline of a board is a pretty minor factor in speed. Think of fins, rocker (especially), concaves, rails, tail size - all of which have more of an impact than outline.

So, as always, its complicated. If you liked the board you hired, then by all means think of getting a new board. Plenty of people have boards that are almost the same dimensions and one is a magic board and another is terrible (for them).

[BaNZ]

So why the hired board was easier to turn could well be the outline rather than the width (given you say it felt a lot more narrow along the front). Narrow nosed boards can be easier to paddle, especially through choppy water

You're spot on with the conditions. Yes it was choppy onshore wind with 3 weak swell in different directions. With my Torq, is has a rounder and wider nose. In choppy conditions, I can very often hear the board slapping the water. Even sitting at the lineup, I can constantly hear the board slapping the water.

The information you provided is very useful. Because I don't normally surf in bad conditions like this. Most of the time I only pick clean glassy days. So perhaps a wider board would give me more fun. I really don't know, I think I'll rent for another weekend and see how I like them.

The hired board also uses 3 small fins rather than 2 +1. Which is definitely not the standard that came with the board. I checked the fin box and it was damaged, probably why they removed the long fin.

All your points are spot on really. Glad that I asked.

Another question that I'm sure people have asked here many times. Would riding a 8'0 Torq or NSP feel like a 9'0 longboard? They don't have them in any of the shops so I can't really try them. 8'6 feels very much like a longboard. But going from 9'0 to 8'0 loses 20L in volume. It might be too much, however I'm only 64kg so I'm hoping it will give me the same amount of fun! Only reason I'm going even smaller than 8'6 is so that it will fit inside the car. I do have roof racks but I still need it to go inside the car sometimes. 8'6 will fit but 8'0 will fit even better.

[dtc]

Another question that I'm sure people have asked here many times. Would riding a 8'0 Torq or NSP feel like a 9'0 longboard? They don't have them in any of the shops so I can't really try them. 8'6 feels very much like a longboard. But going from 9'0 to 8'0 loses 20L in volume. It might be too much, however I'm only 64kg so I'm hoping it will give me the same amount of fun! Only reason I'm going even smaller than 8'6 is so that it will fit inside the car. I do have roof racks but I still need it to go inside the car sometimes. 8'6 will fit but 8'0 will fit even better.

When you say 'feel like a 9' longboard' do you mean in terms of how it feels on the wave, ease of catching waves, margin of error re foot placement etc?

I dont actually know the answer - I have a 9'2 board and my next one is 7'4, and they do feel quiet different. But they are different outlines, noses, concaves - plus I'm 85kg.

The Torq 9' to 8' is only 12L difference, and the 8' is still 60L. If you follow the surf simply volume to weight calculations, then you are probably looking at a 36- 50L board (level 3.5 to 3). So I dont think the volume side of things should worry you. Whether you prefer the longer board - how it feels etc - is up to you.

https://surfsimply.com/surf-coaching/vo ... ht-ratios/

[BaNZ]

When I switch from 9'0 to 8'6. It is still pretty effortless to catch waves. I can glide through the waves easily. When I switch from 9'0 to 7'6, I have to make an effort to generate speed. It does not give me the same feeling as I would on a longboard. With a LB, I can ride 1 feet waves and still have fun. With a 7'6, unless I stay at the section where the waves is powerful. I won't get much speed. I'm hoping a 8'0 would still let me ride it it like a LB, since you can fit 2+1. I'm guessing it is between a funboard / LB.

[dtc]

ah, yes, the longboard glide feeling. I'm the same - 9ft glides, 7'4 doesnt. Where that cut off is between glide and 'not glide' I dont know. I imagine for you its shorter that for me because you are lighter. 8ft seems a reasonable guess, but unfortunately you wont know until you try. You can find a larger (wider/thicker than the Torq) style 8ft board if you are nervous about it