second board to the quiver

[mart8235]

I've been surfing for about 6 months on an 8' x 22'' minimal, been getting on really well with it, my pop up is good and i can carve quite well considering its a big board. no real problems getting to the line up and fitness is improving all the time. I want a shorter board for the bigger days, and to be more aggressive

i've seen a 7'4'' x 20.5'' fat boy flyer, swallow tail, second hand board that i think would suit me. I'm 5'11'' and about 99kg.

just want to know if you guys think this would be a good board for me or if i could/should go shorter or longer?

I might be able to arrange to try before i buy so that will help loads but still want to hear from you first - dont want to be a time waster!

Cheers

[drowningbitbybit]

Wow, makes a change from the usual "I'm 5'11 and I'm gonna buy a 6' whadayathink?"

Sounds like a good next board. I did a similar progression from a 7'11 mini-mal to a 7'4 funboard and it was a perfect stepping stone (...i now ride a 6'3...)

Two things to consider though....

You probably could go a touch smaller if you're comfortable on an 8'. A 7'4 with swallowtail isnt going to be all that great in bigger surf I suspect. Manageable, but not ideal.

You dont mention construction - is it a pop-out or a custom? At this point you should be abandoning plastic pop-outs and going for 'real' boards ie fibreglass or proper epoxy.

[IB_Surfer]

Great reply, you could go smaller, but you will increase your frustration level. Incremental steps are best for enjoyment. You will, however, have to get another board next year after you master this one, but you are doing it the easiest and most fun way of doing it.

[RJD]

Hmm, I'm adding inches to my boards not taking them away...

[mart8235]

Wow, makes a change from the usual "I'm 5'11 and I'm gonna buy a 6' whadayathink?"

Sounds like a good next board. I did a similar progression from a 7'11 mini-mal to a 7'4 funboard and it was a perfect stepping stone (...i now ride a 6'3...)

Two things to consider though....

You probably could go a touch smaller if you're comfortable on an 8'. A 7'4 with swallowtail isnt going to be all that great in bigger surf I suspect. Manageable, but not ideal.

You dont mention construction - is it a pop-out or a custom? At this point you should be abandoning plastic pop-outs and going for 'real' boards ie fibreglass or proper epoxy.

local surf is usually varies from mill pond to 6', most of the time between 2' to 4' and usually messy due to wind, i'm happy pulling off a 5' drop in on my minimal, thats manageable, but not ideal! How big it 'bigger surf' cos we just don't get big surf here anyway!

as for construction, never had a pop out, never will!! my minimal is a custom fibreglass board, I'll be keeping it cos it'll be good for the smaller days and stuff like that but i just want something to rip on now!

there is another similar board 7'3'' x 21'' x 2.5'', what are your thoughts on that? or is it too close a size to worry about any differences?