low-intermediate board after 6'6 softboard

[timmy]

Hi there!

I've been surfin every now and then for the past 3 years. I started with an 8' softboard that has so much volume that it could float my whole family at the same time. Since then I've gone down with the size and my current board is 6'6 softboard with plenty of volume too.

I am 75 kg (165 lbs) and 180 cm (5'9). I used to be super fit, but my fitness has gone down a bit due to recent snowboarding injuries.

I am currently practising turns (trimming, carving, cutbacks) so not yet anything fancy. For my next board, I'd like to have some of the agility that I have with wakesurfing but the ease of paddling is more important to me.

I went to a local surf shop here and was recommended a groveler type board at 6'4 and 45 L. It looks quite small to me and would like to know what you guys think? I was thinking would a BIC/Tahe 7'3 with the same volume be more suitable to me? Anyway, looking forward to your advice!

[waikikikichan]

I went to a local surf shop here and was recommended a groveler type board at 6'4 and 45 L. It looks quite small to me.....

Did the staff at that surf shop actually seen you surfing or they based their advice on what you told them.

Did they know your transitioning down from a softboard to your first hardboard ?

[timmy]

Nope. They have not seen me surfing. The advice is based on what I have told them about my ability, ambitions and areas of improvement I have noticed.

I showed them the boards I have and they did take a look. The board I have right now is Vision Mysto 6'6. https://visionsoftboards.com/products/m ... an-zigzags

They recommended Firewire No Brainer (6'4). To me, that board seems to be a groveler and I don't know how that works when it is oversized and I don't think going anything smaller is a good idea either.

I surf mostly in Northern-Europe (Norway) beach brakes where the wave size here varies between 1-5ft. According to my understanding, grovelers should be ok. But I'd like to have a second opinion is it ok for me or should I go with the Tahe funboard or something totally else?

[timmy]

Just in case someone is interested:

I decided to go with the bigger 7'2 NSP Protech funboard. Talked to a local shaper and while he's order books are filled for this year, he was kind enough to help me. The reasons were the following:

1. With the 6'4 No Brainer I could probably catch waves
2. Because the 7'2 is longer, there is more planning, and there is more room for error when catching a wave.
3. If I ever advance to shorter boards, I would pick probably something else than the 45L 6'4 board and that board would have only little use for me later on.
4. If I don't like the NSP, it is easier to sell it, therefore less risk.
5. Buying a custom board for me would be cheaper than the Firewire. In other words: for the price of firewire I get both NSP and a custom board that is fitted to my weight, height, ability and surf conditions (the guys surf the same places)

[609venezia]

It sounds like the local shaper steered you much better than the shop. I'm about your size and cringed when I read the shop rec. Hate to be a cynic but I think they were trying to move inventory. Please update on how the NSP goes.

[timmy]

Please update on how the NSP goes.

Yeah! Absolutely!

The 7'2 is just perfect for my abilities and surf conditions. Easy to paddle and much easier to initiate turns than with the soft boards. It was definitely the right choice.

This has also been a good lesson about shape and volume. While this has less volume than the 6'6, this board paddles much easier. I'd think due to length (more planning area) and rocker that is lower and is divided into a longer area. While I was pretty used to how the 6'6 paddles, this board allows me to have even longer sessions resulting in more time spent on board.

And when the need for my next board arises, I surely will contact the local shaper.

[LandlessCruiser]

Good choice, I've seen loads of really good surfers riding the nsp and torq fun boards over the years.