Advice: Choosing the right board

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Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby bp123 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 2:29 am

Hey guys,

New here and after some advice. I'm looking to get a new(or used) board in the new year. There is SO so much out there, its hard to know where to begin.

About me: (intermediate surfer?)
• I'm comfortable in getting into most size surf. Paddling, duck diving etc no problems.
• I don't fall off too often and making most of what I paddle for (Volume needs to be higher)
• I'm surfing more regularly Most often 2-4/5ft (Beach breaks - aiming 2-3/week)
• I am slowly starting cutbacks, sometimes fall (not keeping over the board) But I really want to improve on this !!!
• Need improving on generating my own speed.
• Currently, riding a 5'10 x 19 3/4 x 2 3/8 = 28L. feels ok. or sometimes a 6'2 x 19 1/2 x 2 3/8 = 30L (This feels too long..) JW1 FCS Fins
• 33yrs - 75kg - 173cm.

Looking for:
• Something that will help me improve on turns aka cutbacks (Fins selection might help too)
• Improve catching more waves (Volume estimating needs to be 32L?)
• And eventually, progress into verticle moves.

Any advice or specific boards I should look into?

Thanks in advance :woot:
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby Tudeo » Fri Dec 07, 2018 6:44 am

What is it you don't like of the 5'10?

You said it feels ok, but still you're looking for something different. So that's the question.
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby waikikikichan » Fri Dec 07, 2018 9:00 am

1) How long have you been surfing ?
2) Can you post what used boards you've found or have caught your interests ?
3) What board(s) did you ride before the 5'10" and 6'2" ?
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby dtc » Fri Dec 07, 2018 10:29 am

I’m jumping ahead of your answers but I can’t imagine there are many boards that will make turns and cutbacks easier that your 5’10

I’m going to guess you find turns harder because you don’t get enough speed as you are surfing a low volume board and don’t properly create speed
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby jaffa1949 » Fri Dec 07, 2018 2:12 pm

Let's be brutal in assessment, your level is going straight intermediate! However when you can't generate speed or cutback then you are well below intermediate!
You can't generate speed because you can't make speed generating turns, and that is well below vertical capabilities!
You can't cut back so you can't return to the pocket of power in the wave, so no speed!
No speed means a low volume shortboard has nothing to offer you in drive in most of the wave.
No drive = no speed, means bogged down and being overtaken by the wave or section ( boy these waves are fast)
Reality gee I'm slow on this board, wo I keep bogging the rails when I try to cut back Not enough speed to power the turn! .
You lean to compensate wipe out!
Longer get the skills then shorten! :lol:
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby oldmansurfer » Fri Dec 07, 2018 6:08 pm

You need to learn to bottom turn. That is the key to all surfing maneuvers. Along with this learn to lineup in deeper in the lineup. The better the bottom turn the deeper you can lineup and the more speed you have for the next turn and the deeper you lineup the more speed from the wave.
So what is worse.... dying or regretting it for the rest of my life? Obviously I chose not regretting it.
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby Namu » Fri Dec 07, 2018 11:01 pm

Get a high performance longboard.
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Re: Advice: Choosing the right board

Postby Big H » Sat Dec 08, 2018 12:35 am

LOL, why is duck diving listed as the second skill you're good at? Listen to Unc Jaffa; you flat out need a bigger board.

I was out the other day......surf was on the smaller side and shorter period.....all the tourists had rounded pin shortboards and were struggling to do much. All the beach boys and me were on boards at least 8' long and were catching everything and having fun. To learn to surf at your stage you need a bigger board.
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