Surfing Waves

Shopping for a new board. I am 185 pounds, 6 foot 4, 46 years-old, average fitness, weekend surfer (~80 days/year for 8 years). I surf in cold water all year, mostly beach breaks, with a tropical trip every winter. Currently have a locally made poly board, 40 liters (6-4, 21.5 wide, squash tail) that has served me well in a wide range of conditions, including small mush and head-high juicier waves. Paddles and catches waves nicely, moves around okay but want a bit more ease of motion without sacrificing the old-guy benefits of a higher volume board. My second board used to be a 38.5 liter 6-3 round tail, but sold it recently. This board was more responsive that my 6-4, with easier carving/turns, probably due to having a bit more rocker and the round tail. No surprise it was slightly more effort getting into waves and paddling but that was alright. It got dinged almost every session, I'd guess because of a thinner glass job and maybe weaker foam. Regardless, it was an annoying trait and is why I sold it.

In my quest to get a new board I was originally thinking of getting something that would be provide slightly more performance than my 6-4, but somewhat more durable. Been looking around at epoxy boards and different constructions, as well as other shapes and brands. I am considering the following:

6'2" Torq Channel Islands Pod Mod (epoxy, 40.5 liters, 21.25 wide, 2.75 thick, narrow fish tail)
6'4" Rusty Smoothie (poly, 39.9 liters, 21.25, 2.7 thick, round tail)
6'2" Lost Short Round LIB TECH (38 liters, 21 wide, 2.6 thick, squash tail)
6'3" Lost Quiver Killer E.D.D. (poly, 40 liters, 21 wide, 2.75 thick, round tail)
6'4" Lost Quiver Killer (poly, 39.5 liters, 21.25 wide, 2.66 thick, round tail)

I realize there's lots going on with the differences in the above. Or not. Just trying to get thoughts on the acquiring a second board, on these models in particular. At this point I am leaning towards the Pod Mod because it seems like it's a tough board with decent performance, but there are very few reviews I can find for it.

Thoughts? Thanks.

Looks like you answered your own question....you liked the 6.3 board you had but want a little more float like the board you have to make it paddle a touch easier, and want the board to be more durable. Look for a board like that off the rack or go back to that local shaper and explain what you want and see what he comes up with or just tell him what you want and order a board like the 6.3 you had with extra glassing and a high quality blank a little thicker and longer.


Not really sure how to answer whether you should get a certain board from a choice of 5 with almost identical dimensions. If it's down to that, choose the one that you think is the best, that appeals the most to you since convincing that bit between the ears that you have the best board for you has as much to do with success with the board as anything.

Only other thing is that if you're surfing PU now and that is what you're familiar with I'd get PU again only with extra glassing to beef up the durability. Epoxy feels different and you'll have less of a chance of hitting that feeling that you're looking for on the head if you change sizes AND material specs at the same time.

I am 45 years, 207 lb and 5'11 height, so I think I fall behind you in terms of mobility. My conditioning is not bad. I can paddle reasonably well except when the waves are too hollow and you need extra speed (in waves like that I tend to use longer boards). My larger board has 6'0 and 33 liters and my smaller 5'8 35 l. The first one is a Rusty Neil Diamond and the other is a Firewire Evo. Both standard. I had other 6'0 that I have broken in two parts last saturday when the lip of a hollow wave caught me. I think if you get a shorter board you will feel the diference in your carvings. Less volume will make the board more responsive as well. The tradeoff is that you will have improve your timing in the drop and get a stronger paddling.

depends what waves you looking at surfing i think. 1-2 foot that Lost board looks like it rips. pod mod for 2-5. that quiver killer looks the most performance just beating the Pod Mod. If you want to be safe, go pod mod. If you want to venture out into the unknown get the quiver killer, and keep your current board for the small days. PU is better for bigger days, but eps lasts longer, and isn't good unless conditions are perfect.

Have you considered a v3 Rocket? or a CI Sampler? they might get you into waves easier than a quiver killer, but perform similar, and they will outperform the pod mod, just, with all the paddle benefits of the pod mod. only thing is for your volume you'd have to go 6'3+ in length.