Surfing Waves

Hey all, I come seeking your advice! I have my mind set on the Lost RV and am having some trouble deciding between sizes. A little background on me:

I am 6'2'' around 185lbs. In my mid 20's and in decent shape. Been surfing for 6-8 months and have picked it up relatively quick (skate/snowboard background). Started on a 6'8'' hybrid, then about 2 months ago purchased a 6' Rusty Dozer. Roughly 32L of volume. It's been fine for the most part and I've had a lot of fun on it but I am missing more waves than I'm catching in less than perfect conditions. (surfing mostly beach breaks in So Cal). I tend to get left at the tops of waves and let some good rides just pass underneath me. I am trying to change that and want to step up to a board with more volume to up my wave count.

That's where the Lost RV comes in. So I am stuck between two available sizes.

5’10″ x 21.75 x 2.56″ | 37.52L VOLUME
6’0″ x 22.25″ x 2.75″ | 42.18L VOLUME

A 5'11'' would probably be perfect but non of my local shops have one and I don't want to spend another $100 for shipping...

Both are a decent step up in volume. I am wondering if it is better to go for less foam or more foam? Surf should be picking up now that it's almost winter and my surfing is only going to improve so I'm starting to lean towards the 5'10''. It is still an increase of about 5 litres of volume from my last board and I like the idea of something shorter/skatier that I can whip around. But at the same time I just want to catch more waves!

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! And if you have any questions for me that might help in the process ask away!

Take these as my grumpy old man personal views

You have 6 months experience and you are missing a lot of waves. All of this points to getting more volume, as you say. So why the issue with getting more volume - ie the bigger board? The difference between them is pretty minimal really, and you probably wont be able to notice the extra volume in any way that adversely affects your surfing

There is, and this is not directed at you, an obsession by some people to surf the lowest volume possible. However, while lower volume is useful to get that extra 10% out of turns or make a turn that 10% 'better' or helps with airs etc, unless you are already surfing at your boards performance capacity, then that extra 10% doesn't mean anything. Its like only being able to drive at 150km/h and getting an F1 car - sure you could go faster, in theory, but in reality you can't so just stick with a normal sports car that you can control.

And, the downside to lower volume, is that you miss a lot of waves and don't get to surf or practice or get to the stage where 4L volume difference is relevant.

finally, keep in mind that you are moving from one board design to another. There are far more issues in board design that will affect performance, or how you use the board, than volume. Rocker, for example, has a much greater effect than volume on paddling and wave catching - I looked up the two boards you mentioned, but the websites don't even talk about rocker...although the Lost board seems to be more user friendly,

Anyway, I suggest going for the bigger board. You will notice a difference between your current board and the new board, but there seems no reason to go for the lower volume board given the reasons you are seeking a bigger board. Obsessing over minor size differences is a bit pointless.

I surf an 8 foot fun gun and can easily out paddle the youngsters with their little dinky shortboards when the waves are bigger, but my old man surfer friend who has a huge longboard can outpaddle me on the smaller waves. Find a board that suits your style of surfing, that does what you want it to. Shorter boards are going to be harder to catch waves with. You will have be more precisely lined up and the bigger it gets the more difficult it will be. I think because the pros all surf with incredibly short boards everyone thinks they need one too but the pros are pros, they already have skills and wave knowledge and paddle power. If you are having trouble at 6 feet going shorter is only going to be more difficult. By the way you are one of the few who learned on a shortboard congratulations on that. Another option is to work at positioning and build your arm strength and go shorter but realize it is going to be more difficult.

I wonder if getting a slightly shorter arrow will help me hit the target. Maybe wider feathers ? Will switching to bamboo arrows fly straighter than aluminum arrows ? STOP Blaming or relying on the board to catch waves. YOU need to catch the wave. Computers have no potential on their own without the user. It's not the arrow but the indian that is important. Upgrade your skills and knowledge first.

But hey, if you got loads of money compared to skills, the surfing industry needs your help. If I had to choose, I go for the 6'0".

waikikikichan wrote:It's not the arrow but the indian that is important.

I have the Lost RV 6'4" and am 6' 235lbs and 45 years old. Go with the 6' at 42 liters in volume. You are a pretty big guy and new to the surfing game. Besides being in your mid 20's you still have some "thickening out" that will occur as you move to your upper 20's lol, We guys tend to get a bit thicker once we get on the other side of 25. I almost bought a 6-2 RV that I thought had 42 liters in volume?? However, I didn't - I used my mid 40's wisdom and got the 6-4 and happy I did with its 50+ liters. I think that 6-2 will hit the sweet spot for you and remember foam is your friend unless you are getting paid to surf.
opps. sorry I was wrong my RV has either 48 or 49 liters its my 6-7 Joe that has 50+ liters. I am pretty sure my RV is 6-4. 23" wide and 2.93" thick with 48 or 49 liters.

Simple statement , on the RV groveller you certainly will be, I. You mind you have bought the sales pitch for a totally unsuitable board at this stage of your development.

jaffa1949 wrote:Simple statement , on the RV groveller you certainly will be, I. You mind you have bought the sales pitch for a totally unsuitable board at this stage of your development.

I'm curious why you think so, Jaffa. It seems like if carboatfish is catching waves on a short board, albeit not enough, then this would be a good confidence builder in a higher volume package.

What about this board seems non-user-friendly for an early intermediate to you?

It would seem to me that, if he does get enough volume under him, he'll paddle well, catch well with the RV's moderate rocker, and get a chance to carve the face a bit more. I'm with Surf Hound, I'd think the 6'2" might be well suited to you, carboatfish.

I'm too am considering this same board, in a 6'0" at 42L, but I do have a more than a decade more experience, riding long boards, fish, a McCoy Nugget 6'6, etc. And I'm lighter -- 5'11", 38yo, 183 Lbs. I'm thinking about adding this as a groveler-shoulder high, hoping to carve turns in slop that presently I mostly glide through on longer, less nimble craft.

Wow talk about resurrections, my thoughts about six month newbies and small is quite simple, if they are struggling and missing waves then , a higher volume might help but I just advise so they get a board that enable them to have more time get more skill , grovellers rely more on rail to rail transitions and these can challenging for a fairly new beginner ( my call on what I think his level is) , you have decades on him, I would not discount your experience in being able to adapt to a new board and surfing rail to rail.
Often answers like this are fairly generic and since the questions only offer self assessment we are guess a little.
If he has determination, surf time then the board could eventually fit!
I also know that so many boards have one size fits all in there descriptions and would not expect advertising to do otherwise!
i caution only against the spiel!

jaffa1949 wrote:Wow talk about resurrections, my thoughts about six month newbies and small is quite simple, if they are struggling and missing waves then , a higher volume might help but I just advise so they get a board that enable them to have more time get more skill , grovellers rely more on rail to rail transitions and these can challenging for a fairly new beginner ( my call on what I think his level is) , you have decades on him, I would not discount your experience in being able to adapt to a new board and surfing rail to rail.
Often answers like this are fairly generic and since the questions only offer self assessment we are guess a little.
If he has determination, surf time then the board could eventually fit!
I also know that so many boards have one size fits all in there descriptions and would not expect advertising to do otherwise!
i caution only against the spiel!

Yes, I hear you on all counts An aside, have you ridden a Stretch RV?

In all truth no! My weight and deference to my age, sees me riding longboards only. 100kg and 67 I am happy up to double overhead then I get a little more cautious.
Started. In 1958 on 9'6" when short as boards shortened and went longer as I widened! I can still hold my own in my local line ups ( which offer no concessions for age or infirmity) knowledge and cunning can transcend skill sometimes!
My short board is a seven foot epoxy to give the flotation! But it is used rarely!