Several questions

[Lyoder2051]

Hello All!

So I would consider myself a low level intermediate surfer; I can top and bottom turn, go down the line, pull off the occasional floater, and have gotten tubed, though only made it out of 2 of those. All of this on a wavestorm.

So I guess my first question is what is up with wavestorms seeming to get worse after a few sessions-is it because they get waterlogged?

And second, since I do want to finally get myself a proper board, what would you guys recommend? I actually bought myself a 6 4' funboard, but am having serious trouble motivating myself to use it since I can have so much more fun on my wavestorm-I was thinking maybe I went down to far? Would a 7ish foot board work better as my first real board? I've been surfing my wavestorms for 5ish years, recently up to 3-4 times a week.

Thanks!

[dtc]

Have you tried the 6'4? How did it go? Or, really, how did you go on it?

The question is - what do you want from your new board? Are you trying to go shorter and eventually use the 6'4 regularly, do you just want a fun easy transition to hard board, are you after sharper turns vs the more drawn out wavestorm turns, do you want a higher level of performance but balanced against still wanting to have fun?

If you want a board 'as easy' as the wavestorm, then you need to get one about the same length or probably even longer. However, you could get a wide and thick (but shorter) hard board that will be not too dissimilar. Or maybe move onto a shorter (eg 7ft ish) egg or funboard shape (more performance but a bit more effort). Lots of options! So what outcome do you want?

[Lyoder2051]

Thanks for the great reply! In terms of the 6 4', I had serious difficulty. while I could stand up and go down the line (sort of) balancing on it and paddling was a serious pain. I'm shooting for something that would be more performance focused and maneuverable (sharper turns and the like) than a wavestorm while still being relatively easy to paddle. I guess basically something along the lines of a wavestorm but with increased maneuverability. If I could eventually surf the 6 4' regularly though, that would be awesome!

[dtc]

So a board after the wavestorm but one that provides a relatively easy transition. The 6'4 is a step too far, as you have found.

My view is that you have two solid options and one 'riskier' option. Keep in mind that the wavestorm is not really equivalent to an 8ft hardboard, its more like a 9ft hardboard in terms of float, stability, paddling and so forth.

The most conservative option (ie the one with the easiest transition and which will allow you to be up and surfing quickly) will be to go for an 8ft - 9ft longboard. So 9ft x 22 inches x 2 3/4, that kind of board (those are pretty standard dimensions). This will introduce you to hardboards without too many problems, allow you to get used to the differences (of which there are quite a few) and ensure your skills are up to speed.

The second option, which I suspect is closer to what you are thinking about, is to go for a funboard/egg board around 7'6. Could be a bit shorter or longer; I wouldnt go below 7ft2. This may prove to be a relatively easy transition if your skills are good enough, or might mean a few sessions of missing waves, wobbling and falling off. However, hopefully you have enough skills already to slowly improve on this board - if you can do 4/10 waves at the start, you will be able to make it 6/10 over time and then 9/10. As you found with the 6'4, if you never stand up then you just never improve; so you need to have a board that at least allows you to succeed a few times. From the description of your skill level (if accurate!) and the frequency of your surfing, I think a funboard is definitely a viable option

To improve the chances I would aim for a fairy wide board - 22 inches if you can get it or close to that. Width offers more stability and is more forgiving (and also keeps the volume of the board higher). Fairly rounded nose (not pointy) also helps. You may need to up your paddling game a bit, but if you surf 3-4 times per week that will come over time, and will need to better dial in positioning to catch a wave (but its relatively easy to get better - you just keep adjusting your take off spot until you stop failing)

If you keep the wavestorm and this board proves difficult, you can switch back to the wavestorm for a little while and work on whatever is failing (eg if your feet are landing in the wrong place on pop up, or whatever it is).

The third option is the biggest jump, and probably not really what you should go for at this stage. However, it can be the step after your mid length. That is a 6'8 - 6'10 hybrid board ie more pointy nose, still pretty wide. So you can map out a medium term progression from the funboard to the hybrid to your 6'4.

In terms of funboards there are heaps of options around, most larger manufacturers have a funboard or egg in their line up, and of course plenty of smaller or local shapers will as well. A lot are 21 inches wide or 21 1/2 wide; if you can manage to find 22 inches I think it will help but 21 1/2 is fine. Funboards tend to be less common to find second hand, because they are fun (its in the name!) and most people who buy one will keep it for smaller or lazy days. But a second hand board is always the best first option; apart from you dinging it (they are much less tough than a wavestorm to impacts on door frames or cars), you may well move onto another board in a year or so anyway.

Of course if you want to go the longboard route, that is definitely worth pursuing as well. In that case you are going longboard - funboard - hybrid - 6'4. Depending on your current skills this might actually be faster, because the longboard means immediate surfing rather than a bit of time re-learning. However, if you are surfing regularly then going to a mid length seems closer to your intended end point without being overly challenging.

Hope that helps - basically a long winded way of repeating your original comment 'yes, a 7ft ish board is a better choice'