2nd board; Fling or Highline..or?

[maddox]

Over the past 6months I've been learning quickly on a 7ft modern highline funboard (47L) at my local (muriwai, auckland), getting to feet quickly, riding along the wave, with minor turns, and getting around sections (that board has lots of speed).

Most of my surfing is limited to 2-3ft, as that board volume presents a problem when trying to get out the back in heavy/high freq west coast waves. Also, the turning is slow.

Im looking at a 2nd board to push me to next level, try to turn sharper and possible help get out the back when its 3+ foot.

Ive been looking at the:
- Superbrand Fling superflex 6ft @ 38L for $800NZD
- Modern Highline 6ft @ 42L for $600NZD

I like the build on the fling (looks tough), but am not sure if its good for a novice starting to turn?

Thanks for any help and guidance

[dtc]

to be blunt, either board is as good as the other, because I dont think you are ready for a 6ft board at the moment based on what you have said. So either one will work just as badly as the other. Plus if you if you think 47L is too much (presumably for duck diving), then 42L isnt going to make much difference at all. 38L might get you a bit deeper but isnt going to be the solution, unless the solution is being worn out before you get out the back. [nb: is 47L correct for your current board/is your board a 7ft modern highline? ]

The Fling is a grovellor board, so I would be interested to hear why you think its a board for bigger waves? That fat wide tail isnt going to help you much in the bigger surf. The Highline isnt really a bigger wave board either (keep in mind - just because it says its a board for 1-6 ft, that is probably 1-6ft American ie 3ft Australian/head high face).

If you really think the board is holding you back, or you just want to try a different board, why not just go for a pointier nosed/more curved outline 7ft or 6'10. The Torq mod fish at 6'10 for example. The Superbrand Bigfoot also looks pretty good.

So...I dont think either board is what you are after. If you want a good transition board, then move to a hybrid or egg board at around the same length as you currently have. If you want a board you can duck dive, then you are probably needing something 35L or under, in which case you may be giving up the ability to actually catch waves.

As an aside, I have a 6'10 and a 7'4 and can get both of them out in almost all conditions - yes there are times in big storm swell when its hard, but 95% of the time I can. If there are longboarders where you surf, then its not the board that stopping you. And turning...should be possible. I dont think you need a new board, but I can see that a different shaped board might assist you. However dont get too far ahead of yourself

[waikikikichan]

Over the past 6months I've been learning quickly on a 7ft modern highline funboard (that board has lots of speed).

Also, the turning is slow.

Could you explain more in detail about the slow turning of the board. Is it hard to get on rail or tracking to much ? Could it be the fins are good for down the line speed but not as good maneuverability? How was turning your 8 and 9 footers ?