Is a 6'3 micro egg adapted to me?

[SurfinChicken]

Bonjour!
I am going to change of board, right now i have a 7' foamie from "olaian", it works really great in small conditions (>3 ft) because of its volume (60l) and my weight (55kg).
But it has almost no rocker, so i can't ride bigger waves because then the nose goes under water. 
I contacted a shaper, very nice guy, in Oleron (the island in France where i surf) who can shape me a 6'3 egg (or micro egg?) for 550€.
I wanted to ask if this kind of board, around 40l of volume, is adapted to me.
I am 175cm tall and i weight 55kg as i said. I'm a teenager so i might grow up a little bit, but I think i' ll never weight more than 65kg.
I am surfing summer waves (1-5fts) in a beach break. My surfing level is between beginner and intermediate, my takeoff is (almost) clean, I can surf backside and frontside, take speed, sometimes bottom turn in frontside (backside when I am very lucky) and that's all.
I wanted to ask too if I can go for a hybrid fish, like a rnf or puddle fish, and what's the difference between a big hybrid fish (6+) and a small egg (6'6-).
I think that's all, thank you for your answers!
Camille
Ps: i posted it in the wrong place so i reupload it here ^^

[waikikikichan]

i have a 7' foamie from "olaian". But it has almost no rocker, so i can't ride bigger waves because then the nose goes under water. 

That's is not the length of the board or the rockers fault, it is yours for not knowing how to properly step back on the tail or pull up on the rail.

Watch from 7:41 what a sponge board with "no rocker" does in steep barreling waves.

my takeoff is (almost) clean, sometimes bottom turn in frontside (backside when I am very lucky).
I wanted to ask too if I can go for a hybrid fish, like a rnf or puddle fish, and what's the difference between a big hybrid fish (6+) and a small egg (6'6-).

Don't think I'm getting down on you, but if you can't consistently get into waves and bottom turn well, getting a shorter less volume board will make everything even worse. You'll have to take off further inside where the wave is even more steeper. Your paddling power, reaction time and pop up technique has to be spot on. That's what you need to move down to a shorter board, not just the reason to keep the nose from pearling.

[SurfinChicken]

I didn’t know it was possible to ride huge waves with a foamie but...
I am not Jamie O brien, and olaian surfboards are known to nose dive easely if you don’t have a good level in surfing... that’s why they’re not used in surf schools.
I’ve tried other boards, nsp surfbetty 7’2, softech 7’6, and they were harder to turn, too much nerveuse for the surf Betty, but worked well in bigger waves (=did’n nose dive every time i tried to catch a wave).
That’s why I think it’s more the board’s fault than mine, even if i know it is possible to ride bigger waves (I mean 3ft+ waves or « barreling » waves) with my board; the surf instructor showed me, but told me after that that the board really « wanted » to nose dive.
It is just that I need something that allows me to take bigger waves without requiring hours and hours of wipeouts, and i know there are boards that work much better in all conditions than mine... that’s all.
I was more asking for if a 6’3 40l was enought for 55-60 kg (the board will cost 50 € more lover 6’3), but it is really interesting to have your opinion.
I just feel like my atcual board slows my progression down; i am going to keep it anyways, and i just want to know if for the next one 6’3 could be enought or if i need to pay 50 € more for a 6’6-6’8 board...
Anyways, thank you for your answer and the time you spent for me
Camille
Edit: the board used in the vidéo is more like a mini mal, 8’ or more i guess, so closer of the softech than of my board, it was easier to catch big waves with the softech than with my board because the nose didn’t dive so often...

[dtc]

You clearly want to buy a new board and that is fine; we all love new boards.

I would definitely go for the longest board you are willing to get. You probably won’t be able to duck dive a 40L board, so going bigger won’t make any difference in that respect. You are going down from a 60L foam board; going to 40L will be a really big change that I’m not sure you are ready for (although if you surf 2+ times per week every week, then maybe).

Even a 7’2 funboard shape will only be around 45-50L, which is already a 20-25% volume reduction; not insignificant. You will absolutely notice it

An egg is a good all round board, or a fun board shape. I wouldn’t go for a hybrid or fish at this stage. A custom shaped board is always fun, but boards like the Torq mod fun or the NSP funboards will absolutely do the job and are quite a bit cheaper (and if you can get them second hand, then much cheaper).

So...I would aim for a 6’10-7’2 funboard or egg shape, maybe 6’8 if you didn’t mind having a more difficult transition or if you are surfing regularly (weekly at least). I wouldn’t go for a 6’3, I think you will struggle for quite a while and it could be very frustrating.

Whether you buy a custom or an off the rack board or a second hand is up to you. This is the first board you are buying, you will probably damage it (all beginners do), you will buy other boards as you progress.

So my usual advice is that spending money on a custom board isn’t needed at this stage, but there is nothing wrong with doing it if that is what you want to do.

[steveylang]

I didn’t know it was possible to ride huge waves with a foamie but...
I am not Jamie O brien, and olaian surfboards are known to nose dive easely if you don’t have a good level in surfing... that’s why they’re not used in surf schools.
I’ve tried other boards, nsp surfbetty 7’2, softech 7’6, and they were harder to turn, too much nerveuse for the surf Betty, but worked well in bigger waves (=did’n nose dive every time i tried to catch a wave).
That’s why I think it’s more the board’s fault than mine, even if i know it is possible to ride bigger waves (I mean 3ft+ waves or « barreling » waves) with my board; the surf instructor showed me, but told me after that that the board really « wanted » to nose dive.
It is just that I need something that allows me to take bigger waves without requiring hours and hours of wipeouts, and i know there are boards that work much better in all conditions than mine... that’s all.

Every surfboard is a compromise, and every ride is about adjusting to the wave and your board. As a general rule though, the shorter the board the harder it is to surf it well. If you can first try out a ~6'3" board from a friend or rent one that would be great, because maybe you will get along fine with it. But most surfers do better by not going down so much in size at once.

Waikiki has a couple of great posts on his blog about the idea of shorter boards being easier to turn-
http://alohaki.jugem.jp/?eid=673
http://alohaki.jugem.jp/?eid=679

When you know how to turn a surfboard the length doesn't matter at all, unless you are trying to maximize high performance maneuvers. Doing some basic carves on a ~7' fun board shape is no problem at all, if you find it difficult then you are getting good feedback from the board on what to do and what not to do.

Getting a short board might seem to make it easier to learn to turn but it doesn't, and in reality many other aspects are harder which will probably hinder your learning time, not improve it (I've proven this to myself more than once. )

[SurfinChicken]

Ok i see what you mean about turning, i saw good surfers doing radical stuff on foamies 8'.
I've never talked about buying a shortboard, i'm not crazy lol...
It's more about a kind of egg with a lot of volume, around 40-45 l for 6'3.
And i repeat it, i am lite so it might be easier for me to ride a 6'3 than for a 70kg guy...
I think it is worth it to try it, and if it doesnt work i' ll keep it for the next year...
But i am going to try a 6'0 softech in october, they got one in my surf school, it might be interesting for me to see if i can deal with it or not.
Thx you anyway

[waikikikichan]

Is this the Olaian 7'0" that you have ?

My surfing level is between beginner and intermediate, my takeoff is (almost) clean,

By saying "My takeoff is (almost) clean", do you mean you get up to one knee first before getting up flat on both feet ?

[SurfinChicken]

Ok, i contacted another shaper (a little cheaper) who can shape me an egg around 6'8 in 2+1, for 630€, fins and custom decoration included.
I think it is a good option, tell me if the 2+1 isn't a good idea, but it seems good to me.
Thank you for telling me 6'3 was too short, it should be better with a 6'8, and I am gonna keep it in my quiver for a looong time, even if i take 10 kg in the next 5 years

[SurfinChicken]

Sorry i didnt see your reply before posting.
Almost clean means i do it correctly, in one move, and that my feets land in the good position, 9 times on 10. It was just to not look too pretentious
I may have some difficulties when the wave is faster, but if it is flat enought i can ride a 4-5 ft wave by putting my weight on the back foot. It becomes difficult when the wave is really fast or makes a barrel, even on 3ft waves, the nose dives.
And yes it is almost the same board, it is this one :
https://www.decathlon.fr/planche-de-sur ... 86087.html
(My 9 years old cousin actually owns the board you are talking about, the 60l are perfect for her 30 kg lol)

[SurfinChicken]

Up!
Just wanted to know what’s better between torq and nsp, in terms of shape and solidity.
I heard lots of negative reviews about nsp on the french forums, a little less about torq but still some, so I wanted to know what you guys think about surfboards like the torq mod fun 6’8 ou the mod fish 6’6 or 6’10, and what kinda nsp board I should go for if you think they’re definitely better than torq’s.
I can get them second hand easily for around 250 euros, do you think I should better buy new fins? I got enought money for that and I heard that those sold by torq/nsp aren’t that good...
Thank you,
Camille

[Ratfinksurfer]

I saw that JOB video waikikikichan shared and just had to add this sick tutorial he did on backside barrel riding. This stance has made going backside so much more fun for me now! I'm riding tiny 3-4 ft. beach break, not pipeline obviously. But either way, this technique will make your ride so stable it's just insane, honestly it just feels like cheating it works so good. Enjoy!

[SurfinChicken]

Thank you !

[waikikikichan]

Just wanted to know what’s better between torq and nsp, in terms of shape and solidity.
I heard lots of negative reviews about nsp on the french forums, a little less about torq but still some,

Well there's probably been more reviews on NSP than on Torq because Torq has been around in the past few years while New Surf Project has been made continuously for almost 20 years since 2001. Torq is made in Taiwan while NSP is made at the Cobra factory in Thailand, same place where Surftechs are made and carbon fiber parts for Ducati and other high-end automobiles.

Of the "negative" reviews you've "heard", what were they ? They are poorly constructed ..... not. Bad design / Hard to turn ...... not. Expensive ....... not. Don't last ....... not.

what kinda nsp board I should go for if you think they’re definitely better than torq’s.

Both NSP and Torq make good boards. I've ridden both. Each brand has their own series of long, fun, fish and so on. Which is better Honda or Toyota ? What kinda Toyota should I get ? ( well, it depends on your needs and circumstances ).

do you think I should better buy new fins? I heard that those sold by torq/nsp aren’t that good...

The stock fins that come with the boards are fine. Getting expensive carbon fiber, honey comb whizz-bang high end fins won't make a beginner go any faster or turn better.

[SurfinChicken]

Well, I heard that they’re hard to turn, at least harder than the same board made by a shaper... I saw some people saying that torq surfboard aren’t very strong, they can break along the rail (can along be used??) and the water gets in... I don’t know how to explain it in english, but I saw this kinda fragility on second hand torq surfboards.
I heard that nsp are heavier than torq, are they?
And between a mod fun and mod fish, what should I go for, in almost the same size?
Last thing, do you think I can buy a second hand shaped board? Would it be better than a nsp/torq/surfactory ? There is a lot of second hand boards to sell in my region, most of second hand shaped board are the same prize as nsp/torq second hands, and way cheaper than new nsptorq...
Thank you for your reply!
Ps: after going on nsp website i’m a little bit lost, what kind of construction should I chose if I buy a nsp?

[waikikikichan]

Well, I heard that they’re hard to turn, at least harder than the same board made by a shaper..

Harder to turn by you ? Or harder to turn by another average surfer ? And which of the two, Poly/PU or Molded-Epoxy will last longer getting dropped in the parking lot and getting knee and elbow bashes ?

I heard that nsp are heavier than torq, are they?
Ps: after going on nsp website i’m a little bit lost, what kind of construction should I chose if I buy a nsp?

Currently I've been using the Elements series. They're a bit lighter than the E+ series, which are preferred by the rental companies in Hawaii for their durability. Elements should serve you fine.

I normally wouldn't recommend a swallow tail fish shape for a beginner. And I don't think you should be riding anything less than 7'6" for awhile. But if you "must" get something under 7'0", I guess the NSP Elements 6'8" Fish will work.

[SurfinChicken]

Ok, about the length, it’s just that my 7’ board can catch waves so easely, i don’t feel like I need another longer board, if the waves are too small i’ll bring my 7’ and if they’re 2ft+ I’ll take the new board... btw the surf instructors told me I could go for something a little bit shorter than 7’ without going shorter than 6’6... and i repeat it, i am lite in comparison to average surfers, so I don’t need the same board as a 70-80 kgs guy at my level (I think?)... I tried the 7’6 minimal nsp of my uncle and I really didn’t like it. Easy to catch waves, very stable, but impossible to turn for me and my 55kgs... and it was really heavy too. Maybe it was oversized for me, I precise that I can turn way easier with my olaian.
I heard on French forums that nsp boards are horrible, torq a little better, surfactory even worse than nsp... that’s why I am a little unsure ^^
What’s the difference between the swallow and the round tail? I mean I don’t know at all, and I thought a mod fish would’ve been more polyvalent because of the possibility to use it in quad, for example when waves are small, to have more speed (and more fun it’s still my first goal)
Thank you for the time you spend answering to me
Camille

[waikikikichan]

I heard on French forums that nsp boards are horrible, torq a little better, surfactory even worse than nsp... that’s why I am a little unsure ^^

Ha Ha ............ and what did they say on the French forums about their very own beloved "made in France" Bic surfboards ?

What specific things that make NSP horrible ? That's just Gas Lighting. Just rumors and innuendo ( an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one ) which can't be proven.

[SurfinChicken]

The thing is... they hate bic too
But bic is really unbreakable, even if it is really heavy, that’s what they say.
So after all...
Torq mod fish or nsp fish element ?
The shapes are differents, but I can find both in the good size for me.

[waikikikichan]

Torq mod fish or nsp fish element ?

You may also want to consider the availability of fins in your area. As Torq uses Future Fins while NSP uses FCS fins.

[SurfinChicken]

I can find both without any problem ^^
I checked the French forums; for them nsp are really too heavy and it makes them lose their maniability. The shapes are not great but ok. They seem to see nsp as not really bad but not really good too, and say to everyone to buy a pu second hand instead of a nsp or torq, but they say it can be worth it to buy torq or nsp second hand under 250 euros.