New board, stepping down from mini malibu

[Alishan]

Hey Forum,

I would appreciate some board advice

I am 33 years old, around 80kg, 180cm.
Started surfing 6 years ago, but can only surf 5-6 weeks per year (mostly non consecutively) as I don’t live near the ocean.
I did one 3 month surf trip 5 years ago and right now another 5 month surf trip which has given me more opportunity to practice.

I bought a 7’6” 22” 3” minimalibu with 58 liters volume in poly/pu about 5 years ago and have been really happy with it ever since. It is very lightly glassed though and I had to repair it dozens of times, it has also snapped in half once.. Right now it is sadly nearing its end of life and it is time for a new board.

Right now my surf fitness level is pretty good, once I get back home I will have less paddle power of course, but I am generally very active.

I have had two teachers (sometimes I get a couple of lessons at a new spot for some tips as to what would be the next step for my surfing) tell me I could go a bit smaller with my board, with this general advice:

Around 7”, not below 6’8”, volume up front, squash tail not pintail and a pointy nose (not hpsb nose, but not a longboard nose either, something in between).

What can I do in my minimal:
I generally catch the waves I paddle for, I can paddle fast, generate speed front and backside and am doing small bottom turns and cutbacks on both sides, nothing radical of course.

So generally I would consider myself a lower intermediate surfer.

I still have problems connecting my turns properly and sometimes the cutbacks are not at the perfect time on the waves. So generally reading the wave and learning flow and when to perform what turn is still not good and this is what I am practicing right now and still need time with.

Normally I surf european beach breaks, less often point breaks, I feel comfortable in up to 6 foot, 8 foot I can handle too if it is not super messy.

So I am looking for a new board and would love to hear your thoughts, I don’t want to go below 6’8” and don’t want to go below 50liters volume.

This is what I have come up with so far:

Lost Lazy Toy in 6’10”
https://lostsurfboards.net/surfboards/lazy-toy/

Modern Highline in 6’8”
https://us.surfindustries.com/products/ ... -surfboard

Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto in 6’8”
https://www.haydenshapes.com/collections/hypto-krypto

Firewire Dominator 2.0 in 6’10”
https://www.firewiresurfboards.com/prod ... 3645296685

Pukas Original 69 in 6’10”
https://pukassurf.com/surfboards/the-or ... ixtyniner/

I also looked at the Greedy Beaver by Firewire and the LoveChild by Modern, but they have a really round nose and pintail, so I am unsure because of what one instructor said.

But I would love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks in advance!!

[oldmansurfer]

Since you are only intermittently surfing it seems to me that getting a shorter board is just asking for problems especially one that is more than 6 inches shorter. There are others here who may have other advice but mine would be stick to the same design and size till you can use it well. Getting another board would mean besides learning all that you don't know now plus learning a lot of other things because it is a new board that will work differently

[Naeco78]

Around 7”, not below 6’8”, volume up front, squash tail not pintail and a pointy nose (not hpsb nose, but not a longboard nose either, something in between).

It kinda sounds like you're describing a CI Water Hog (minus the round nose) but it never really felt like too much volume up front when I used one.. if thats the concern about the longboard nose.

Or the Seaside & Beyond has more of a fish style nose in a midlength. Doesnt have the squash tail youre looking for but its still considerably pulled in.

I agree with OMS about trying to progress with the current board if possible. But i guess if its really roached then maybe its time to consider something you can grow into a little more with the new board

[Geezer]

I like surfing and surfboards. Personally I’d get a mini mal and a funboard like you’re describing around 7’. Doesn’t really matter what model; standard fir each will do. Buy used and you can get both for under the cost of one new.

[Alishan]

Ok I get what you guys are saying.
Thanks for all your advice!
I will ride my minimal till it falls apart and maybe switch to a 7’2 with similar design after that…

Have a great day everyone!

[waikikikichan]

How about you get a molded epoxy board that will be more durable and offer more float than conventional Poly/PU construction ?

And since you've been surfing for many years, maybe you can venture to a swallow tail to loosen things up a bit.

An NSP Elements Fish at 7'2" 22" 2 5/8" has 51.3 liters.

[Alishan]

Yeah I’m looking into the NSP and Torq Boards..
I tried a 6’10” Torq Fish a few days ago and found it quite fun!

Thanks again guys for your input!