Surfing Waves

Hey guys and gals

Quick question, is this hybrid suitable for small waves? I am 5.10 and weigh 80kgs currently mess around on a 6.8 x20.5 x 2 5/8 have been on the look out for a small wave board

Dimensions on this board are 7.4 x 20.5 x (i think it is either a 2 3/8 or 2 5/8)

Let me know your thoughts please. Thanks

Depends on what you consider small if you're riding thigh and up I say you should be fine.

Yeah, the smallest would probably be around 1-2ft.

Needing something for days like in this but not really wanting to go very long.

Sorry about the quality but was taken off the local webcam at the break.

A SUP?

But seriously, I surf a 9ft1 and a 7ft4 minimal shape and I would struggle a bit on the 7ft4 to catch many of those waves - maybe the bigger ones would be ok, but I wouldnt 'glide' very much, just struggle to stay on the wave. Whereas the LB would catch and glide and be much less frustrating. I'm just over 80kg

Although, that said, if you are used to shorter boards maybe you will be ok, paddle wise. Even then I would suggest a minimal shape rather than the hybrid, I just cant see that it has enough volume for what you want.

Hey DTC..thanks for your input. I was hesitant, hence me putting the question to you chaps on the forum. I am actually setting sometime aside to go view a mini mal 7.6 x 21. 3/4 x 2 3/4...think that should do the trick?

With regards to the pic, they are not the greatest, i did see some bigger waves rolling in when the sets came through. But hey, who knows i may even at a later stage invest in a longboard...after all i am determined to build a 4 or 5 board quiver (much to the disgust of my missus)!!

Yeah, a minimal with a wide nose will be much more useful, the wide nose picks up much better (and in those conditions duck diving isnt going to be much of an issue). I think a 9ft LB would be much more likely to work, but if you dont want to go that long then the 7ft6 sounds like a good choice. I guess if you are dedicated to buying a full quiver then you can get the 7ft6 and, if its not working, just get another board.

Right, Im gonna throw a cat completely in amongst the pigeons and throw in a completely contrary view about surfing small waves

I'm all for big boards helping me catch waves - indeed I've just bought a very big board (for me... it's 6'10) and it helps no end in catching weak waves and catching them earlier. But what it doesn't do is help me catch very small waves.
In waves like those pictured (I'm guessing here somewhat due to looking at a still rather than a video) those small waves will come right into the shallow water and kind of flop and then its all over. On a bigger board, the tiny waves are still too small to catch the wave right until it jacks up (all six inches of it), and then a longboard or a mini-mal isn't much help. In those conditions, I prefer a shortboard. Preferably a fish or at least something with some width - but something I can immediately ride what is effectively a close-out.

If those waves are gently peeling into the shore for 100m, then ignore me, get a longer board. But if they're just flopping over, then I'd prefer to be on the board you're on now.

Muizenberg? I would definitely go longboard for those waves pictured

@ Lewbowski, it is Big bay...swell yesterday was small...today is a nice 4 foot plus and glassy conditions this morning.

@DBBB, i was considering a fish or something but i am still very much a newbie so thought it would do no harm in getting a mal to mess around with on smallish days. I do plan on building a decent quiver which will include a long board and a fish....but for now i will have just the 2 boards (My missus wants me to buy her new garden furniture before i buy any more boards )

Why is it that the woman in our lives cant understand why we need different boards for different conditions? I tried to explain it to her but her response was " it's too complicated and too many more excuses to get more.."

But hey, she wants a million pairs of shoes for this or that outfit, so i am not going to let that deter me!!

still-learning wrote:@DBBB, i was considering a fish or something but i am still very much a newbie so thought it would do no harm in getting a mal to mess around with on smallish days.

Oh definitely - there's no harm in having a mal in the quiver. I was thinking about it yesterday, while surfing "quite small" surf at maroubra (so steep) and you do need to able to pop up super quick surfing a shortboard on small surf, so maybe a mini-mal is the way forward for you right now

As for the women in our lives - I always plant the idea of her buying some new shoes and an expensive handbag etc a week or two before I bring up the new surfboard plan

still-learning wrote:@DBBB, i was considering a fish or something but i am still very much a newbie so thought it would do no harm in getting a mal to mess around with on smallish days. I do plan on building a decent quiver which will include a long board and a fish....but for now i will have just the 2 boards

I did forget about the 'groveller' type boards, typically since I dont surf them therefore they can't be any good...but they are a good alternative to a mal if you are up to surfing a short board.

I find the best way to describe why you need different boards is to use a bike analogy. So you say 'see those guys in the tour de france, no one expects them to ride the same bike down a dirt track on a mountain. And no one would ride a mountain bike in a BMX race. But you dont ride a BMX commuting to work. Its the same with boards, you need different boards for different conditions'.

Doesnt quite work but maybe enough to partially understand.

As to buying new boards, buy them for your birthday (or christmas). Early on, well before your birthday, say 'I will buy my own birthday present this year', people are relieved they dont have to think of something and you just buy a board and the one you want. And after a couple of years you are expected to buy your own present. I have managed a new board, wetsuit, BBQ, bike gear, camera and heaps of splurges out of this 'rort'.

Good plan DTC!!!

I tried using a Golfer's golf clubs analogy...you know, a different club does different things to the ball and is used in different locations on the golf course...well that went straight over her head!!

Anyways, i did pick up the mal...she is in great condition. I am so stoked. Will post pics soon.

But will check on the "groveller" boards...I am not too familiar with them.