Surfing Waves

My daily surf spot is a long-ish paddle out, sometimes with battling currents (choppy), and typically a mix of flat mush with really nice HH set waves. I weigh 190 lbs / 86 kg. Most people are on LBs, though not everyone and I prefer slightly shorter boards.

I have a 9'0 x 23.625 x 3.5 86L "Solitude" with low rocker, flat bottom, high volume square tail with heavier glass that was made for small mush. I don't like surfing this board in good HH+ waves, but due to the float and glide it's what I use as my DD.

My other board is 8'6 x 23.25 x 3.25 68L "Avis" and has more rocker, flat bottom, curvy outline, thinner rails and round pin tail with lighter glass and was made for drawing lines on decent waves. I absolutely love this board - it feels light and maneuverable and I feel like I can do everything on it, but it takes a bit of energy to keep it on plane so it's not the best on smaller days or in rougher water.

So I'm trying to decide between another 9'0 that's more of a HPLB, another 8'6 with more bulk, maybe straighter rails and concave for reduced drag and added lift. Waikikikichan suggested a swallow tail which is a cool idea, and made me start thinking about fishy hybrids.

I think the swallow tail WKK suggested would probably go well. That wide square tail on you're old board probably has lots of lift in larger surf and might be kinda hard to sink the tail at speed. I've had that issue sometimes too with grovelers when the surf is choppy but building. Swallow tail or maybe even a rounded pin usually help with that.

I think you're right about that, lol. He pulled up the file of my Solitude and said "oh yea, that board's not designed for big waves." He also said the same as you about the tail - not to go too wide with the new one so I can still sink it.

We started with the Avis. He wasn't into the swallow or even thruster for this board and wanted stay with the round pin tail, but went a touch wider, and found some places in the hip to add volume, plus we went 1/8" wider, 1/8" thicker, and 3" longer. He also added concave in the mid section to give some lift directly under the rider. It's not much more volume, but should be a significant difference in ability to get and stay on plane.

I'm so stoked! It's such an honor to have Arakawa as my local shaper.

Although they're not around anymore, try looking up the GSI 7S Super fish.

Another good floaty yet maneuverable board is the Aipa Big Boy Sting.



Plus with the 4 + 1 set up, you can run every fin setup.

It looks like there's a 7s Super Fish 4 that's available, though maybe different than the original? I was looking at the Rusty Moby Fish which seems similar.

I'll likely sell at least one of my 2 boards after I get this new one, and maybe will get something like that. I'll see if I can find one to try.

Make sure whatever "Big Fish" you end up getting, is not a pure Quad.