Surfing Waves

I have put aside my 9' longboard aside and been focusing riding my 7'6" minimal. some success have been achieved as I feel my paddle fitness has upgraded to a new level and I can catch waves in many different conditions (OK mostly 1-4 ft beach break not too tough conditions)

Last session the condition was a bit tough, the beach was closed as the waves was a bit powerful and was a bit too frequent. My coach suggested me to try a 6'10' transition board saying this sort of board would suit better in these condition ( less prone to nose diving,easy to turn around paddling into waves etc) So I gave it a go.

It was so light to carry and it paddled almost like my minimal. I caught 1-2 unbroken waves without too much struggle but did not stay long before falling off.. and I caught some powerful white water waves and it glided similar to my minimal...

Since then I have been thinking to buy a board like this, for conditions like last session. I think the board I used was Hypto Krypto HS Hayden Shapes 6'10 22 1/2 3 1/4. I found one in gumtree a bit expensive though http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/south-coogee/surfing/hypto-krypto-hs-hayden-shapes-6-10-22-1-2-3-1-4/1125181115

I did some research and what suggested usually online is minimal riders can try a hybrid transition board and the most popular boards are firewire dominator and Hypto Krypto HS Hayden Shapes.

So if money is not the main concern ( I believe I can resell them at the similar price, did it many times, and I dont mind the hassle selling things) which board is better and what size should I buy? I am thinking buying a 6'10" with around 50L volume but what sells online are usually 6'0ish as 6'10" is usually recommended for heavy riders (90KG+)

I am only 72KG 162 Pounds should I buy a 6'10" to start out or take a big step down to 6'2 ish? I am planning to surf 2-5 ft waves with it. Thanks

How'd the 6'2" sneak in the conversation at the end? Up until then it was between the dominator and the supersized hypto krypto.

Personally I wouldn't get too hung up on either of those boards....a good fun board around that size will do, that's a common size for a fun board template and lots of manufacturers make a board like that in that size....6'8"-6'10" fun boards are about as common as 7'2"-7'6" mini mals in used sales. If you were really hung on one or the other of the two you've mentioned I'd get the dominator as the tail is wider, it's a little easier to catch a wave due to that. Either would do fine IMO as well as a number of other shapers/boards of that ilk.

a sharp nose and some rocker help with steep waves and strong offshore winds.
but I'm not sure if you'd be able to duckdive something like that if it is also a high-volume board so the paddle-out might still be difficult.
in the end it is a trade-off.

pmcaero wrote:a sharp nose and some rocker help with steep waves and strong offshore winds.

On the other hand, a fuller nose and less rocker will get you into the wave BEFORE the wave steepens up.

frostless wrote: My coach suggested me to try a 6'10' transition board saying this sort of board would suit better in these condition ( less prone to nose diving,easy to turn around paddling into waves etc) So I gave it a go.

So why don't you ask your coach what he feels about you getting a 6'2" - 6'10" HS or Firewire. He knows you better than we do. You're paying him for his expertise.

frostless wrote: I caught 1-2 unbroken waves without too much struggle but did not stay long before falling off.. and I caught some powerful white water waves and it glided similar to my minimal...

You paddled into, got to your feet, and fell off, so that means you actually didn't make/ride the wave. Catching white water and going straight in the soup also means you didn't catch the wave ( it caught you ).

frostless wrote: I am thinking buying a 6'10" with around 50L volume but what sells online are usually 6'0ish as 6'10" is usually recommended for heavy riders (90KG+)
I am only 72KG 162 Pounds should I buy a 6'10" to start out or take a big step down to 6'2 ish? I am planning to surf 2-5 ft waves with it.

There's a reason 6'0" are more prevalent, guys that are able to ride those type of boards don't get the bigger sizes. I agree that the 6'10" will be too hard to duckdive, so no merit there. My advice is if you can't bottom turn and cutback backside on your 7'6" funboard, then you should not go down to a 6'2".

waikikikichan wrote:

pmcaero wrote:a sharp nose and some rocker help with steep waves and strong offshore winds.

On the other hand, a fuller nose and less rocker will get you into the wave BEFORE the wave steepens up.

of course, a longboard will get you in early. A mini-mal though is in my opinion the worst shape for steeper waves.

pmcaero wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:

pmcaero wrote:a sharp nose and some rocker help with steep waves and strong offshore winds.

On the other hand, a fuller nose and less rocker will get you into the wave BEFORE the wave steepens up.

of course, a longboard will get you in early. A mini-mal though is in my opinion the worst shape for steeper waves.

Hmm, that's strange. No where in my comment did I mention "longboard" ( or even Fun board ). I was talking by about Short(er) boards of similar length.

Don't get a 6'10 HK - they are notorious for not working much over 6' - the rocker and outline is just not suited to that length

If you are willing to spend $645, then spring for $780 and buy a new 6'8 grant miller waterskate

Or look at the torq funboard at 6'8 as a cheaper option

FireWire makes a few options. McCoy nugget maybe. XL super fish.

or even this one if you want to go shorter

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-bo ... 1127585492

Big H wrote:How'd the 6'2" sneak in the conversation at the end? Up until then it was between the dominator and the supersized hypto krypto.

Because most 2nd handed hybrid board I found online for sale were around 6-6'2 ish, especially those bigger volume funboard. 6'8"-6'10" are quite rare and if you check the riders weight guide they are usually originally made for big surfers (90kg+)

For my weight 72kg a 6'0"would be a match according to the weight chart but how can a hybrid beginner start out with so short a board?

pmcaero wrote:a sharp nose and some rocker help with steep waves and strong offshore winds.
but I'm not sure if you'd be able to duckdive something like that if it is also a high-volume board so the paddle-out might still be difficult.
in the end it is a trade-off.

yeah so probably there is no much point buying a "not-so-short-board" funboard

waikikikichan wrote:There's a reason 6'0" are more prevalent, guys that are able to ride those type of boards don't get the bigger sizes. I agree that the 6'10" will be too hard to duckdive, so no merit there. My advice is if you can't bottom turn and cutback backside on your 7'6" funboard, then you should not go down to a 6'2".

OK I think I will just hang with my minimal for a little while.

dtc wrote:Don't get a 6'10 HK - they are notorious for not working much over 6' - the rocker and outline is just not suited to that length

If you are willing to spend $645, then spring for $780 and buy a new 6'8 grant miller waterskate

Or look at the torq funboard at 6'8 as a cheaper option

FireWire makes a few options. McCoy nugget maybe. XL super fish.

That HK is negotiable so maybe around $550 final price.
I also think it is a bit too expensive but almost all HK are the same price...
gonna check out grant miller waterskate later