Surfing Waves

hey guys...i was hoping i could get an opinion or 2 on my first board.

im 5'9", 170lb.

i wanna be able to surf both florida coasts (gulf & east)...and given the state of surf affairs here, im told LONGBOARDING is my best shot at learning n' enjoying.

what do you recommend as a good size board? thickness, etc...

i was debating between an 8'6 and a 9'0.

is 9'6 too big?

thanks SO much in advance.

9'6" is perfect. At least 3 1/2 inches thick and 23inches wide(at least). JMHO, I would not go below 9'0".

thanks j...seriously. (i know how common my question is--so i appreciate you takin the time to respond)

im thinkin ill go for the 9'0...

jblucat wrote:thanks j...seriously. (i know how common my question is--so i appreciate you takin the time to respond)

im thinkin ill go for the 9'0...

Your welcome. Let me say this. The difference between the 9'0" & the 9'6". When your talking 6 inches between the two. It is not a whole lot when your out on it or surfing it. In other words you really don't notice the extra 6 inches but as far as surfing and making it a bit easier I think you would notice the difference. Talk to a surf shop and someone that rides long boards.

I have a 9'0" Infinity and I just purchased a 9'6" Allison. The Infinity is probably an inch thinner than the Allison so that would be a huge difference. My first session out on the Allison was the best session I had ever had in my short surfing career (10 months). Whatever you decide make sure you are in the 3 1/2 inch thickness range. Our height and weight are close. I am 5'8" 160 pounds.

I do not know how much your going to be able to get wet but if it is going to be several times a week or even a month. Tell them you are looking for a board to learn on and also will serve you well as you get better.

As you look for an "east coast" board. This is all from what I have read and talked to people about. Your gonna want the nose and the tail to have a little bit of rocker in it (NOT A LOT) and your going to want split rails.

Good luck..........getting your first board is so cool. and if it is a new or a second hand board that is in good condition get a board bag.

aye aye, J...hey...10 months is 10 months...that's about 9 months & 3 weeks longer than me--so, deservedly, my head bows to you.

i was looking at a RonJon...admittedly cuz i didnt wanna go overboard (ha!) on price--but it felt like a sturdy stick and the thickness--without question--is CERTAINLY there...the 9'0 was 3.5", however i didnt ask about "rocker"...which ill certainly have to do.

*jeeze...i feel like quotes "__" make me sound SOOO new*....

are you down here as well? (FL)...i flip flop both sides..the East and in the Gulf. (im on the Gulf side more often--which is a good thing, cuz EVERYone in Naples is a stones throw from water..meaning i can get to it as much as humanly possible--what do you think i can expect on this side surfwise? Captiva, etc)

yer right--VERY COOL--i am SUPER excited about the board

I am in Wilmington, North Carolina.

As far as which side to surf. I can only imagine the Atlantic side is better. Unless there is a storm in the GOM

Check this site out. Just plug in where you want to surf and it tells you. Right under the header it says "SELECT A SURF FORECAST". I actually think it is better than Surfline.

http://www.swellinfo.com/

At 5'8" and 165llb's I found a 9'6" to big, it was 23"(and a bit mebe) wide.

Just to hard to carry, and to big in the water to paddle comfortably.

IMO you'll be fine with a 9'2", 22.5" wide, 3" thick. Go for something without to much rocker, fairly flat bottom, square tail, nothing to extreem.

I'd also suggest a single fin over a tri fin.

Width, thickness and rocker can make a massive difference.

Underneath the board, on or near the stringer, will be a series of numbers. If you can post them we can give more concrete advice.

Also, if you can post a photo of the rocker (just a photo from the side showing the whole board) of both it'll help.

Here's an example photo.


That bit of extra volume in the 9'6" will help, all else being equal.

-doug

Rjd, the only reason I sad at least 23 inches wide and 3 1/2 inches thick is because of the waves jblucat will be riding. Mushy soft east coast, USA or Gulf of Mexico waves. Yep they do get bigger but it is almost the floatier the better. The guy that shaped my board said it was shaped for ankle to head high waves. Yep just a little rocker on the tail and nose. Also a great point about a single fin and not a tri fin. Even a 2+1 set up is good. I agree about the tail too. Either a square or a squash tail. I know what you mean about the "bulk" of the board. I have short arms and have to carry my board on my head.

dougirwin13 that is a nice looking board. That nose is thin and is it a pin tail. I would guess that is a high performance board?



jblucat yeah when you get your board give us your dimensions and post a pic of that thing!!!

Doug, Just, RJD...you guys are the best. its unbelievable how helpful people can be in such a short amount of time. (and how far away!)

i will definitely post the stats/pic to give you fellas a better idea of what im workin with.

Just is right--about the lenghth/thickness--cuz its mainly gulf n east coast mush. 90% of the time. (then again..hurricane season IS comin)...and im just looking to get on as many as i possibly can.

and that is a nice lookin stick, Doug--im assuming (judging by how "round" the nose n' tail looks on mine) that yours is designed for a more experienced rider? which coast are you on?

Just--on this coast you recommend a single or 2+1? (for ease)

good morning.

[quote=

Just--on this coast you recommend a single or 2+1? (for ease)

[/quote]

Well what is nice about the 2+1 is that you do not have to use the side bites if you don't want to and just use the single fin. I have talked to a few people and some people just love the side bites and some just like the single fin. To tell you the truth both of my boards are 2+1. My Infinity came with just the center fin and my Allison came with center and the side bites. I have not had the Allison out enough to tell if I see much of a difference of course I am not that good either. I never did buy the side bites for the Infinity and no one ever told me I needed them.

If the board you are getting(assuming it is 2+1) does not come with fins. I would go ahead with a 9" center fin. If money is a concern then don't get the side bites until later. You wont miss them IMHO.

Og yeah, sweet looking board alright.

Yep - high perf longboard... But it isn't mine. It's made by Greg Griffin (Hawaii). It's the kind of thing I'll be looking for in my nex board.

See more at Greg Griffin's Longboard Photobucket.

I live in South Australia.

-doug

Wow that carlmark047 is sick and what's with the grooves on the robins078, nose riding?

If I recall correctly nose channels were first used in standup boards by Rich Harbour (1960s?). They are supposed to add lift and stability when noseriding and work better in glassier conditions, IIRC.

Like all channels glassers hate them

Anyone know any more about nose channels? Nose conceves work better for lighter riders. Do nose channels perhaps provide similar benefits for heavier riders?

-doug

Thanks for the info. I was thinking they maybe for nose riders.

The key word here is volume. The difference between a 9'0 and a 9'6 is not just 6 inches in length. Look at the overall volume of the board - width/ thickness. generally a 9'6" will have more volume than a 9'0" but remember the longer you go in length the more rail you will have in the water and this means less manouvreability and more chance of you catching a rail.

check out www.shortcuttolongboarding.com for more info

leeroy360 wrote:The key word here is volume. The difference between a 9'0 and a 9'6 is not just 6 inches in length. Look at the overall volume of the board - width/ thickness. generally a 9'6" will have more volume than a 9'0" but remember the longer you go in length the more rail you will have in the water and this means less manouvreability and more chance of you catching a rail.

check out www.shortcuttolongboarding.com for more info

Have you read the book? It sounds like it could be a good read.

justloafing wrote:

leeroy360 wrote:The key word here is volume. The difference between a 9'0 and a 9'6 is not just 6 inches in length. Look at the overall volume of the board - width/ thickness. generally a 9'6" will have more volume than a 9'0" but remember the longer you go in length the more rail you will have in the water and this means less manouvreability and more chance of you catching a rail.

check out www.shortcuttolongboarding.com for more info

Have you read the book? It sounds like it could be a good read.

Mate, he wrote the book...

Does look very proffesional, wil have a look at the dl chapter later.

Yes guys I WROTE the book. Shameless promotion I know! Ha Ha! but the book is well worth a read. I am a professional longboarder and coach. I will happily answer any questions on longboarding

Hello Lee!!