Surfing Waves

Hi all,

170 lbs (175 lbs with wetsuit) and 6'1 tall.

Currently riding 6'8 seaside beyond 40L and having a blast doing drawner out turns.

Have never sized down below that so am nervous, I was thinking of a shorter board <6 ft for more performance and practice more manuevers and keep learning. I chose hybrids with the wide outline so I don't lost out all paddle power and wave count, versus more performance shortboard. I also know nothing about sizing the right length / dims / volume for hybrids.

Here are 3 forgiving shapes I found with volumes that I'm _guessing_ will work with me, please correct me if I'm wrong! All 3 of these models are more hybrid / volume up front and tailed in.

Which do you think would be a good board to work and progress towards after riding my 6'8 Seaside beyond 40L? Trying to compliment a smaller board with SnB but not sure what's best. Thanks all!



Lost Libtech Round Nose Fish 96

5’9” 20.8" 2.6" 35.0 cl

5'11” 21.3" 2.7" 38.3 cl



Lost Libtech Round Nose Redux

5’10” 20.5" 2.56" 35.0 cl

6’0” 21.0" 2.7" 39.0 cl



Quiver Killer

6'0" 20.5" 2.6" 34.5 cl

6'2" 20.7" 2.7" 37.4 cl

For me the jump in length is too big on all of those. Id look at a 6’4” in something like a quiver killer/psycho killer shape and moderate rocker. I have a pyzel phantom step down that at 6’4” and 40L id guess would be a good fit and would offer plenty of performance ability. I wouldnt look at the grovel boards; better get something that is more if a daily driver that is suited to 2-6’ and keep some length even if dropping a few liters.

Before you go and lay down big cash on a new board, have you first tried playing around with the fins ?

What is your current fin set up, template design, size, etc. ?

What is holding you back on the 6’8” fish ? The width of the tail ?

Thanks Geezer for sharing your thoughts! I think it's better to go for a more hybrid shape for my skill level and average surf here in Santa Cruz. I think shortboards are more for 4+ ft conditions?

@waikikichan

I haven't, just the Machado Quads for the 6'8 Seaside beyond. The tail is actually really tucked in.
https://www.firewiresurfboards.com/prod ... ide-beyond

It's in LFT construction, and pretty fragile, and I always fantasized about having a one board quiver when I travel that's indesctructible, hence the Libtech RNF 96, or the RNF Redux. I also want to practice doing tighter manuevers.

Let me know if I'm way off! Appreciate the help.

Also my thinking was, to build out my quiver a board that compliments the 6'8.

I was thinking most days it's grovelling conditions, so I want to keep practice manuevers like speed generation. Would a smaller board be better for groveling small waves versus the 6'8?

Thank you for the help!

i reckon the volume is key. length doesn't matter much in small waves. i ride a 5'9 in small waves but its a high volume board @ 35.5/36 liters I can't remember.. my other daily board is 35 liters.. and its harder to catch waves on that board, but it has more performance.

I recommend trying a 38 liter board in 6'0-6'2.. I don't recommend the quiver killer however.. i find round tail boards slow you down, and have good hold. i'm not knowledgeable on the lost range.. but they will prob have some good boards as 'step downs' for 1-4 foot.. the quiver killer will go better in 4 foot than 2 foot..

for some reason i think you should try a rocket wide. @6'0 or 6'1

with a five fin setup.. or something similar made local for better construction.. check this video out of it theres two different styles of surfing on it..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU8Bz18wLG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=877v9q4lnKg&t=448s

enjoy let us know how you get on!!