pmcaero wrote:I've been trying to figure out a way to streamline board picking for the conditions, since I have a limited quiver and even more limited skill haha.
So far, and I sometimes break my own rule cause I am stupid, it should be :
Bic Minimal when it's 1-2ft or slightly bigger with slight onshore/no winds.
Shortboard when it's 2-4 feet with some offshore wind, glassy...basically perfect conditions and not too big, otherwise I can't do anything with the shortboard. This holds true especially during winter with the thicker wetsuit.
Beater when it's very small, or up to 2-3ft but really blown out. If it's small I simply throw myself on the beater for extra speed and catch short rides, maybe stand up for a couple seconds.
I am not a strong paddler so everything over 4 ft, or really strong offshores, usually means a wasted session .
But I am thinking maybe a bodyboard with flippers would help me get out in these conditions and catch some more waves, maybe get better at wave reading and more used to such conditions. I think paddling with my feet might help me get out faster, and the smaller volume allow me to get under incoming waves easier. Therefore I would have more energy once finally out in the lineup.
I'd like to hear your thoughts.
That's pretty similar to what I do. If it's too small or messy I'd grab my longboard. Now that I have a mini mini longboard (scored an used walden cd in pretty good cond. recently

) I've been trying that out when it's 2-4ft. But once it's bigger than that back onto the longboard. With my not so stellar paddling power I really need all the help I can get from the board. But gloves make my arms tire out sooner so depending on the current I'd just give up and stay in the whitewater zone.
Overall, even though I live near the coast I only have time to surf on Sundays for the most part so I can't afford to be picky about the condition. I usually try to make the best of whatever the ocean gives that day. Bad day surfing is still a lot better than good day our of the water

"For the rest of your life, you can't look at a wave without thinking about riding it."