Tavarua Quiver?

[TommyRio]

I'm headed to Tavi in April and was debating what boards to bring.

I normally ride a 5'6" Tomo Evo or a 5'10" HS Hypto Krypto. I just bought a new step-up for the trip. It's 6'3" HS Shred Sled King which is ultra capable of riding big stuff like Shipsterns (just not under my feet! haha) I'm wondering if it's enough or if i should be looking to pick up a 6'6" or something like that?

I have heard a few times that guys bring big ass boards but never take them out of the bags. I would rather bring stuff that I love to ride. The flip side is that I don't want to be frustrated because I can't get into waves.

Do you guys and gals have any thoughts on the best quiver for Tavi or feedback on what you rode there?

Thanks!
Tommy

[jaffa1949]

It very much depends on whether you want to hit up cloudbreak or restaurants, beasts of a different temperament.

Cloudbreak middle to big often so what side shore so be able to handle bumps on the face at speed and power but it can be nice smaller

Restaurants take your speed machine image Kirra as a left at full throttle but no sand coming up the face as it sucks,more likely making a human deposit on the reef!

You know how you surf choose accordingly!

[waikikikichan]

Like they say " don't bring a knife to a gun fight ". You say you'll feel more comfortable riding what you're used to. But what you'll be riding isn't your usual wave you normally ride. Are one of your buddies bringing a step-up or mini-gun ?

[Nivek]

The shortest board I'm currently riding is a 7'2" Al Merrick, and I'm surfing Victoria beaches and reefs down-under. Half the time I use a 10 foot mal or sup if its smallish. So I'm thinking for Fiji to take either a mini-mal in the 8 ft range, or a 7'4" fun shape, or the 7'2" Merrick plus two step ups to a 7'6" Sunset gun and a 7'10" Pipeline gun. I'm weighing in at about 90kg or 195 lbs at 5'10" and 55 years old. I've been surfing for 40+ years and I'm 55 now, with a bit less paddling power and timing is a bit slower on the take-offs than 20 years ago. Surfed in US east and west plus Carib and Hawaii, now living in Oz for the past year and half, surfing weekly. Any advice appreciated. The real question is do I play it safe by taking an 8.0 egg, or just suck it up and go with the 7 footers?

[jaffa1949]

Nivek,depending on Cloudbreak or Restaurants, a little different as you read above, get a got forward paddle power beasty to ensure you meet take off speed and you can draw that first turn to line up the speed, if you hit the Victorian reefs , take your familiar board you know can do it, the lift on the drop of big cloud break means you need to hold that rail locked in as you drop , restaurants, get your speed to sit that barrel line ASAP.
Restaurants is shallow
Live through it and collect your pension in a few years time. Your experience will serve you well!