Surfing Waves

Assuming for both models I can get 7'6". Here's the dimensions for each:

Torq TEC Big Boy
* 7’6 x 23” x 3”
* 57.5 ltr
* 5 fin

Torq Mod Fun
* 7’6” x 21 1/2” x 2 7/8”
* 52.4 L
* For 2-6ft waves
* tri-fin

I don't know if it's allowed to post vendor links on this forum, so I'm omitting the links (which contain the detailed shapes).

The funboard is pretty widely recommended for a beginner. What do people think of the Big Boy though? To my untrained eye it's wider, thicker, and more volume, so I'm hoping it works better for me (~65kg).

The big boy will be quite a bit more stable- 1.5 inches wider, doesn’t sound like much but makes a difference. The funboard is likely to be a touch more manoeuvrable for the same reason (narrower).

The fun has more nose rocker and flat to V bottom contour and a narrower tail, it’s probaby a touch better if you are surfing larger or powerful waves.

The big boy has wider tail, flat rocker and single to double concave. It will surf smaller waves really well (under say 6-8 ft faces) and will be a bit faster. In bigger waves it might be more of a handful

But I suspect day to day in standard surf - won’t make that much difference. The big boy will be more stable and an easier wave catcher; the fun will likely be more mobile. Difference will be fairly marginal

If you are a beginner, then my initial thought is the big boy. Or I guess an 8ft or 9ft board rather than a 7’6

But perhaps should asked how much have you surfed before? Foamie or hard board? What is your standard? How often do you surf?

Thank you dtc. About my surfing:

Currently: on Wavestorm, been surfing 4 months or so, can go down the line (need to be more consistent) in <= waist-chest high waves.
Surfs: gentle beginner beach break, once a week; about once a month, intermediate point/reef break.
Difficult for me: I find that if the wave is above chest/shoulder high, or if it's fast approaching, I have much less consistent take offs or ride outs.

Ideally, I want a board in my quiver for a long time (say, at least 2 years?) to progress on!

At my current level, is the Big Boy going to be as maneuverable as the Wavestorm (8’ x 22 1/2” x 3 1/4”, 86L)? Or much more?

I still think there is some benefit in looking at a longer board - a 9ft will be more stable than a 7'6

However, if you keep the wavestorm then you can have that as the 'backup' board ie if you find the 7'6 is a bit hard or you want to work on something, then you can go to the wavestorm. Getting a 9ft might perhaps be getting something a bit too similar to the wavestorm - although surfing a hardboard is quite a different experience in some ways to surfing any softboard

Clearly the step down to a 7'6 will be fairly large - 30% reduction in volume, 6 inch drop in length, transition from a soft to hard board etc. But I personally feel that an acceptable challenge is worth taking. So going to a 6ft board is a bad challenge, going to a 7'6 is a challenge but an acceptable one

It may be that you find the new board is something you are comfortable on in smaller waves for a while and you pull out the wavestorm for bigger waves or the point break.

At my current level, is the Big Boy going to be as maneuverable as the Wavestorm (8’ x 22 1/2” x 3 1/4”, 86L)? Or much more?

Keep in mind that manoeuvrable means unstable. They are the opposite sides of the same coin. So, yes, the Big Boy will likely be much more manoeuvrable than the Wavestorm. it will be faster, require some better paddling and positioning skills and faster pop up (although not super fast).

I suppose my view is this: if you want to move on from a Wavestorm, then the easiest transition is to an 8 or 9ft regular longboard. But if you do wish to go shorter- and you are fairly light so that not unreasonable - then I think the Big Boy is an excellent choice. You may struggle at times, in certain waves etc; in which case you can always pull out the wavestorm again and do a bit more practice.

Hope that helps. I wouldnt overthink things; at some stage you will almost definitely want a 7'6 or so board. If you get it now and its a bit much, then 2-4 months more time in the water and it will probably be perfect.

Unfortunately yesterday I just realized the bigboy is >$100 more than the funboard Probably will go with the fun some time in the future.

Second DTC....I'd get a 9' board; will most likely be ridden and stay in your quiver longer than a 7'6" in spite of your point of view at the moment.

Big H wrote:Second DTC....I'd get a 9' board; will most likely be ridden and stay in your quiver longer than a 7'6" in spite of your point of view at the moment.

Gotcha, I can see the benefits of going with a longboard. However, if I do get a 9ft longboard, and if I do want to gradually transition to a short board in the future, what's the next board I get after say 2 years? Wouldn't it be much more difficult then to transition to a 7ft6 board (now: 8ft foamie -> 7'6; then: 9ft longboard -> 7'6)? Or do you think at that point jumping directly to something much shorter (9ft->7ft) will be acceptable?

You go to the gym right ? Even if you are comfortable right now bench pressing a 100 lbs. and eventually will lift 300 lbs. , do you think it is wise to by pass doing 200 lbs. ??

Going shorter you will have to paddle stronger, react faster, be given less leeway for mistakes. If you think you can, then go for it.

That's exactly my reasoning. Going to a longer board now will make the whole transition down longer

This is not a race to see who can ride the shortest board the soonest. This is about riding waves.
The longer you build a solid base, the stronger you'll be. The better technique you'll have. You've only been surfing for 4 months. Most people I've observed take 1-3 years just leaning the very basics ( and trying to stay out of other surfer's way ).

When you are ready to move up to a new board, THEN is the time to get a new board. Don't get ahead of yourself ( and your level of surfing ).

But you want to go short(er) now, go right ahead. Spend the money, get the 7'6" or shorter. If you find out it too difficult, put it to the side for awhile and take it out when the time comes.

My opinion on your question is that going from 9ft to 7'6 is fine if - as waikikichan says - you have a solid base of skill from the 9ft. Lots of people jump early, but if you jump 'late' then the transition is pretty easy ('late' as in you can do most things on the 9ft like top, bottom turns, cutbacks etc).

Going from a 9ft to a 7ft is harder, in part because most 7ft boards are differently shaped as well as being shorter (eg narrower nose, more rounded outline rather than parallel rails)