Big Guy Downshifting To Smaller Board

[Rodrigo]

Hello friends

I am an improving surfer looking to downshift from my 9'4 epoxy longboard to something smaller.

I can rides waves front and backhand, bottom turns are OK, paddling is very strong.

I want to move down to a smaller board. I am a big boy, 250 pounds (112kg) and over 6ft but mostly muscle.

I am riding waves up to 3ft overhead, but usually in the chest-shoulder-head high range, with some desperado days in mushy and small conditions.

Any suggestions ? I want to be able to carve turns and improve my range of skills.

P.s I like epoxy better than fibreglass.

[IB_Surfer]

I'm 200lbs and I get all my short boards in epoxy. For a big guy they float me better and I like their stiffness.

The best way to do it is in small steps, but thats' expensive. You could start with an 8ft thick and wide board and see how you handle that and keep going, etc...

However, if you want to know what you COULD you are going to get a bunch of different responces depending on peoples experience.

Me, personally, I would go with a big retro quad fish, something close to 7' x 3" x 22". My biggest fish is 6'10" at 200lbs, but even then it's a wave hog, a little bigger for you.

If you are looking for prefabs, AIPA Surfboards are pretty much made for big buys in mind. Other shapers have big-boy models, even CI makes the BB (Big Boy) thruster.

I have my boards made custom by a local shaper, but to at least get an idea look in the surftech website and see the "hybrid" boards they offer. If there is a reputable shaper around I would suggest you go meet with them, best adivce you will get.

[Rodrigo]

TMT

thanks for that... will scour around and see what i can find

question... I thought fish were for mostly small mush type waves ?

[IB_Surfer]

You are totally correct, the purpose of a fish is to tackle small mushy, or ever big mushy days. However, they are also great as a transition board and go-to board for us bigger guys. Eventually you are going to end up with like a 6'10" x 2 5/8" x 20" big thruster, that is what most of my big buds shortboard, I have the same thing in 6'8" that I hung on to.

So, since you are still learning, I recommend the fish, then a shortboard, if not you'll have a lot more frustration.

Lastly, twin fins have are harder on steep waves, so I have been riding quad fishes and they seem to have great glide and good hold. But if you want the easiest glide and a smaller fish a nice fat retro twin should do it, till you get better and decide you want a shortboard at least.

[Rodrigo]

TMT

that's really useful info and makes good sense. i was thinking to get a fatboy flier type board, but a retro fish quad fin sounds like it will be an easier transition.

So you think 7'3 and 22 width is enough to float me ?

Will check that AIPA out

many thanks again