6 inch difference...Big Brother Sting

[Swerfin]

I recently bought a 9'6" Big Brother Sting by Aipa x Surftech, and a part of me has some buyer's remorse.

I feel like the 9' would of been better for my stature (5'6 163 lbs).

I was just wondering how much of a difference is those 6 inches is going to make ?


• 9'0" x 23.5" x 3.88" - 91.33L
• 9'6" x 23.44" x 4" - 99.17L

These are the dimensions.

I've ridden it a few times and I'm enjoying the board. I haven't had a chance to really turn with it yet.


I'm a fairly beginner surfer. I want to grow and improve with the board as time goes on. The board offers great stability and paddle power.

Is it worth the hassle to try and get the 9' version or just stick with the 9'6"?

EDIT: I'm running a 2+1 fin set up.

[waikikikichan]

For your weight and height, I would have gone with the 9'0". But since you already got the 9'6", you just need to work with it.

You say your set up is a 2+1, but what size center fin and side bites ? 7 inch or 8 inch ?

You say you haven't turned yet, may I ask what size type board you were using before the Aipa ? ( Like a 9'0" x 22" x 2 3/4" )
How was turning on that ?

What size wave and surf break condition are you using it in.

[Swerfin]

I'm riding mainly beach breaks and a beach here in SoCal (Doheny) good for longboarding. Also drop in at Surf City Huntington Beach.

waves are about 2-3 ft. Very nice forming . Sometimes they can go up to 5.

my center fin is 9". side bites I have to go home and check. I'm thinking somewhere between 3-4".

Center fin: https://shaperssurf.com/9-classic-series-box-fin-translucent-black/

before this, I was riding the standard 8 ft wavestorm and I have a 7'8 Torq V+ Midlength (7’8 x 22 1/2” x 3 3/16" 64L).

So far this longboard has been so easy to catch and paddle waves into compared to the other boards. I get in early and glide with the wave. Very good stability.

I guessing the trade off between the 6 inches is some stability vs maneuverability/control.

[waikikikichan]

I would say running a 9 inch center fin with 3.5 inch sides is TOO much. I would try it with JUST the 9 inch center fin, NO side bites.

It's not so much the added 6 inches in length, but the added thickness in the rail. 3.88" is a lot of rail to control and engage, FOUR inches is even harder. That's why I recommend you not using side bites until you learn how to bottom turn consistently, engage the rail and trim, so that you can later "break" trim and turn up and turn down the board.

When you do try a 2+1 set up again, say in a few months, go with maybe an 8 inch fin instead.

That board was designed for the BIG BRADDAHS in Hawaii ( they call it the Big Brother, so you mainlanders can understand ), for the BIG BOYS, say 200lbs+.

[waikikikichan]

This is last Sunday. Aipa Big Boy Sting 7'4" with a 7 inch FCS2 tool-less center fin only.

[Swerfin]

that 7'4" looks badass.

I tried taking out the side bites today....they were so tight...couldn't remove at the beach. the surf conditions were crap today /w cross-shore winds, lots of white water. Was able to still some waves and rode the white water.

[zalle]

Why did you buy a 100L longboard?

[Swerfin]

Why did you buy a 100L longboard?

The shop owner made a mistake and order the 9'6. I just went with it.

UPDATE: been surfing the board a lot. getting better at surfing. Fun board to catch puddles and small waves. I could improve my paddling for when the waves get a little bigger. It pulls the tail up and I nosedive when that happens..

WaikikiChan: Is the Big boy sting good with overhead surf? What waves does it handle?

I'm considering getting that board next. Either 7'4 or 7'0

[waikikikichan]

WaikikiChan: Is the Big boy sting good with overhead surf? What waves does it handle?

I'm considering getting that board next. Either 7'4 or 7'0

It can handle what ever wave that you can. Especially with a 4+1 setup, you can ride it Single, Quad, Thruster, Twin-Stabi for different wave conditions.

I could improve my paddling for when the waves get a little bigger. It pulls the tail up and I nosedive when that happens..

Then don't get a 7'0" / 7'4" Big Boy Sting. You are not ready for a short(er) board yet. If you can't get in early and down the face on a long(er) board. On a 7'0" / 7'4" in comparison to a 9'6", your take off will be 10,20, 30 feet further in where the wave will be steeper and much quicker. If your paddle and reaction times are not up to speed ( literally ) , you will be flipped over the front even worse.

[Swerfin]

WaikikiChan: Is the Big boy sting good with overhead surf? What waves does it handle?

I'm considering getting that board next. Either 7'4 or 7'0

It can handle what ever wave that you can. Especially with a 4+1 setup, you can ride it Single, Quad, Thruster, Twin-Stabi for different wave conditions.

I could improve my paddling for when the waves get a little bigger. It pulls the tail up and I nosedive when that happens..

Then don't get a 7'0" / 7'4" Big Boy Sting. You are not ready for a short(er) board yet. If you can't get in early and down the face on a long(er) board. On a 7'0" / 7'4" in comparison to a 9'6", your take off will be 10,20, 30 feet further in where the wave will be steeper and much quicker. If your paddle and reaction times are not up to speed ( literally ) , you will be flipped over the front even worse.

My surfing has a pretty high variance depending on the beach and conditions. Some days I got it down good, others day not. I have a 7'8 midlengthwhere I can catch waves in steeper hollower sections. That board does have a medium rocker compared to the Big Brother Sting. But yea I'm still tinkering and making micro adjustments.