Beginner- what dims should I choose for my height/weight?

[beginnersurfer518]

I'm a beginner with 1 year experience on a wavestorm. I have a bad arthritic shoulder that i just had surgery on 2 months ago. Supposed to have fixed it completely but still have pain which I'm hoping will still improve as time goes on. It was an ac joint resection via keyhole which I've read can take up to 1 year for scar tissue to fully form.

I'm 230 lbs 5"9 weight lifter.

I want to get a longboard that can do both hp and nose riding. Looking at this board here: http://naturesshapes.com/b_HP2.php
9"2 is the longest I'd venturing in getting because that will just about fit in my suv and in my garage when standing vertically on a stand.

I'm not sure what dims I should get in regards to width and thickness? Should I go big 23 and 1/2 and 3 and a 1/2 or would i regret that? I want to catch as many waves as possible while still being maneuverable.

[jaffa1949]

Welcome to hard and long, you are being quite realistic in your choice, it will be more functional than your wavestorm, but will feel a little twitchy compared to your old board. The shape and the dimensions suit, just a little more learning!
Performance well that is you upgrading your skills as will be the nose riding! Get your full basics up first!
Oh and enjoy thoroughly!

[beginnersurfer518]

Okay, thanks. I just held a 9 ft 23" wide surfboard under my arm and I think any longer, it'd be a bitch to carry. If I were taller and my arms longer, I'd for sure go wider, but I think 23 inches might be the sweet spot for me. Thoughts on this?

Thickness I think I'm gonna go big at 3 and a 1/2 though.

I just picked up an FCS bag that's 9"6 and stretched it out inside my car. Fits perfectly. So I think I'm gonna go 9'6" instead and lay it on it's side in my garage instead of standing up.

Poly vs epoxy? I think I'll go Poly because it's cheaper and easier to do ding repairs but glass it strong at 6+6+6. Thoughts on this?

Fin setup? Going to go futures. I have a 2+1 hatchet fins already actually. https://futuresfins.com/surfboard-fins/ ... -2-22.html

Does anyone ride a quad setup? I could go 4+1 to make it more versatile.

[jaffa1949]

Coming off a foamy, I recommend simplicity, 2+1 or go as a single fin would be fine, don’t get fancy at this stage.
Get your basics down and see if any other fin configuration suits then..

[beginnersurfer518]

Okay thanks. Any thoughts on tail shape? Would a diamond or squash offer more turning ability?

[dtc]

Okay thanks. Any thoughts on tail shape? Would a diamond or squash offer more turning ability?

Can you even find a diamond tail? They are basically superseded

In any case, the squash (or rounded) tail is the best option. Diamond tails do allow sharper pivots and perhaps slightly more stability (as they are wider), but you get a sudden turn as you go past a corner ie not turning then sudden turn. The rounded curves of a squash provide a more continuous turning arc that may be very slightly wider but is much easier to control

All the pros surf rounded tails of some kind and they turn ok.

It probably won’t make a huge difference at your level between the two. As long as you don’t get a pintail you should be generally good

[beginnersurfer518]

Okay thanks. Any thoughts on tail shape? Would a diamond or squash offer more turning ability?

Can you even find a diamond tail? They are basically superseded

In any case, the squash (or rounded) tail is the best option. Diamond tails do allow sharper pivots and perhaps slightly more stability (as they are wider), but you get a sudden turn as you go past a corner ie not turning then sudden turn. The rounded curves of a squash provide a more continuous turning arc that may be very slightly wider but is much easier to control

All the pros surf rounded tails of some kind and they turn ok.

It probably won’t make a huge difference at your level between the two. As long as you don’t get a pintail you should be generally good

The diamond tail is the default tail shape for that hp longboard model i linked.

Apparently it's hard to get in touch with the shaper. I wanted to let him decided what dims would be best for my skill level and weight but that might not be possible.

Any thoughts on going with 23 inches width and 3 and 1/4 thick?

[jaffa1949]

[quote="beginnersurfer518"]
Any thoughts on going with 23 inches width and 3 and 1/4 thick?[/

For you those dimensions are fine