Oh no not another newbie! Checking my board size :)

[Jamieandjo]

Hey Guys

Just wanted to check I've ended up with the right size board. I used some shop websites for sizing before making my purchase then discovered this forum.

I've picked up a Mojito Mini Mal (Think black and white made them but could be wrong!) dimensions are 7ft6, 22wide, 2 7/8th thick.

I'm 6ft 2 and weigh 12st. Been surfing the foamies for my last couple of visits to cornwal so thought i'd get a fairly easy board rather than paying for hiring each time we go and I catch a fair few waves I go for with the foamies so thought a minimal would be good.

Im not looking to go for a short board really as im more of a crusier than trickster!

Anyway picked the above board up and most size charts point its in the right region just wanted to make sure it will be good for me, The guy I picked it up off was near enough the same body size as me so hoping I did good!

Thanks in advance everyone!

Jamie

[Jamieandjo]

Hmmm no one want to help me

[pandarturo]

Lol just take the dive and get a mini mal, easy to paddle and expand your wave count on!

[surf patrol]

Hi Jamieandjo, welcome to Surfing Waves!

That board should be fine for you and once you're out on it you'll notice how much better it is than a foamie.
You've got it now, so get out on it and have some fun

[Jamieandjo]

Brilliant! thanks guys, right im off! )

[surf patrol]

Come back and tell us how you got on.

[Jamieandjo]

Hi again,

Well a slight delay but finally managed to get out on the new board this weekend. Average conditions down at Camber Sands meant a few waves were coming in here and the. Straight away the difference from a foamie was noticable, in the shallows i jumped on to see what the balance of the board was like and thought woah this is a bit more twitchy! Went out a bit further and tried to catch some waves. For around 45 mins i spent the time just trying to lay centered on the board and find out how far forward or back depending if the nose was dipping under slightly. The thing I struggled with mostly was the unstableness laying on the board i.e left to right wobbling rather than the to far forward or back, I guess it just takes time to hone in your balence in this area?
Well as time went on I finally started to catch some waves albeit not quite getting to my feet, a few times stating to pop up but then the wave dying so ended up kneeling for a bit and the others popping up and either falling sideways before any control was gained or popping up slightly too late.
In about the 40 odd waves for 2 hours I was out I went for my feet touched the board maybe 3/4 times.
So what have I learnt.... With a fibreglass board everything happens alot faster! more unstable, I needed more wax where I push up and more practice needed!
Either way was a good first outting having a splash around.

Just wondered how this compared to anyone elses first experiances once they moved on to a fiberglass board? With the foamies I was pretty much up within 35/40mins and then pretty much thereafter on everyother one, I guess its a better piece of kit so once mastered will give alot more.

Also I just wanted to check, my board has 3 fins on the back one fairly long centre fin and tow smaller fins slightly further back. I have the option to move the fin back to be inline with the two small fins, would this make it more stable? of if the two smaller ones where removed would this help me out initially to get standing up?

May Thanks

Jamie

[jaffa1949]

I'm confused about how you describe the fin set up centre fin is usually closer to the tail than the two outside fins , If this is correct you have no need to change anything there take a photo of the fin set up and post it here!

A 7'6" board will feel a lot more skatey and jittery at first but it is about water time and surfing as often as possible....... A tip I suggest to all beginners is to keep you feet together on the board , if you hang them out to the side you are continually unbalancing side to side.

Foamed are designed to be as stable as possible as a wave riding tool they are very average.

Your journey has begun the learning never stops

[Jamieandjo]

Aaah brilliant thanks for the info! now I think about it I did find myself continually holding my legs slightly apart to try and keep balanced so thats noted for the next time out.

just had a look at the fins, sorry I wrote incorrectly, it currently 3 fins in a line at the same level but there is the option to move the longer middle fin further back.

Wont be able to upload a pic until a bit later.

Right I better plan to get back out there!!

[dtc]

3 fins in a straight line seems wrong. Move the centre fin as far back as it will go to start off with. This is the most stable position, although it makes turning harder - however, at your level you might benefit from a few sessions in just getting used to the board rather than thinking too much about turns. If this doesnt feel right, move the centre fin in a small amount (like 1cm) and try again.

3 fins in a row - not sure what that will do, but I imagine its not very stable.

Btw, by 'stable' I mean when you are up and surfing. The fins will not (or will barely affect) stability when laying on the board paddling. That's up to you!

[jaffa1949]

I posted quite a long explanation of how fins work and what to look for and understand try this link

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16523