Gun surfboards

[sflogging]

Does the paddle and wave catchability on a gun feel similar to a longboard? On a similar note, do you guys ever take out a longboard on bigger days?

[RinkyDink]

I think you have a good question. Unfortunately, I don't really know the answer. I'm not in the position where I have to make surfboard choices based on the needs that arise when you're riding waves that are 12' plus. I don't think a gun is simply a 5'11" shortboard stretched out to a larger size. I would imagine a gun is typically a custom board shaped to suit the characteristics of particular wave that's breaking at least double overhead. In other words, a gun for Puerto Escondido might be completely different from one designed for Sunset Beach. I think learning on a gun is probably better than learning on a 5'11" shortboard. The problem with a gun is that it will probably have more rocker than your typical longboard and, therefore, be harder to paddle. Still, every board is different so it's hard to make generalities. At any rate, I like the question. What makes a gun different from your typical longboard? I'm curious to hear from those who understand these things better.

[Tudeo]

Does the paddle and wave catchability on a gun feel similar to a longboard? On a similar note, do you guys ever take out a longboard on bigger days?

If the waves are not too steep I prefer a 9'2 x 22 1/4 x 3 longboard. As long there are channels to get out these boards compensate greatly for the big amount of water moving around and the paddle speed needed to get in.
Just don't take the first wave of the set, unless u can see u can't make the bigger waves coming behind it.

[oldmansurfer]

Longboards are wider usually although I hear these days they are making guns that are wide so they can be shorter and fit the curve of the wave so they can get barrels. In general you want a narrower board that will knife down the face quickly and width increases profile drag and slows the board down but more importantly you need to be able to overcome the speed of the wave. You want a board that paddles well and will drop down quickly. I have ridden a longboard in waves with around 18 to 20 foot faces and it performed really well but it was a progressive longboard with lots of rocker in the tail and relatively hard rails I used a gun of the same length in similar sized surf and didn't notice much difference in performance but it was mostly taking the drop and going down the line so not much performance needed. (Also some of the other surfers used to say I was crazy but I had fun and didn't get hurt) When I was younger I rode my 7'2" board in waves much bigger than that but I was very fit and young (and probably a little crazy). The thing you will realize is that there are places where taking off on big waves is way easier if you can find those places.

[waikikikichan]

Does the paddle and wave catchability on a gun feel similar to a longboard?

For what size waves are you talking about ? 1 to 2 foot waves ? 2 to 4 ? 10 to 12 ?

[sflogging]

Waikikichan- I guess im referring to larger waves, like over head high or waves of consequence. Not the usual longboard small days people think of with longboards. But now that you mention it, do you think a gun could compete with a longboard in 2 foot waves?

[jaffa1949]

Does the paddle and wave catchability on a gun feel similar to a longboard? On a similar note, do you guys ever take out a longboard on bigger days?

I ride my 9'1" longboard in waves from 2ft to consequence..... double overhead in Indo barrels if conditions are good, only failing is when I fail board is more than adequate . Gone up to 3 times overhead but then at 68 years old I am on the edge of seriously doubting how I handle it, the yips and fear make me less comfortable and so my judgement and performance drop. I usual find a safe wave to catch and finalise the session.
It has to be in the beyond excellent to make me stay at my limits.

[Big H]

I used to pull my performance longboard in waves as big as I dare....2.5OH more or less biggest so far. I have a wide fat fungun that is 8'2" and I'd guess nearly 4" thick.....23" wide so wider than a gun.....paddles awesome, better than my performance longboard....can catch waves starting from knee high, but comes alive at OH heights or more. That is my new big wave board as I have more control with the pulled in pintail and better paddling that that longboard. Fits in the wave better as well.

[waikikikichan]

Does the paddle and wave catchability on a gun feel similar to a longboard? On a similar note, do you guys ever take out a longboard on bigger days?

I guess im referring to larger waves, like over head high or waves of consequence. Not the usual longboard small days people think of with longboards. But now that you mention it, do you think a gun could compete with a longboard in 2 foot waves?

So is the question you're really asking is "Can I use a Stewart Redline 11 in larger waves ?" or "I found a good deal on a big wave Gun and wondering if I can use it in place of a longboard ?"

Well if it's the latter, please please for God sake ( and for others around you at the break ) do not paddle out with a big wave Gun in 2 foot waves. Happens a lot in Waikiki and they're just dangerous unguided missiles. The shop I worked at was close to the university and we get all this college students needing to buy a 9 foot leash for the "great deal" of a longboard they bought. Turns out they got cheap 9'0" big wave Guns on the Northshore. So many are left over after the winter swells are gone. They always say "I was told beginners should get a board 9 feet and over". Well, that's sort of right.

[sflogging]

Waikikichan- I ended up getting a Stewart RPM, and have paddled it out into slightly overhead waves and liked how you can get onto the waves before it's super critical. I just rarely see people take a longboard out on bigger but maneagable days. Anyway, i see a lot of guns being pulled out in the winter time here to surf bigger waves in ocean beach sf (on waves I wouldn't ever want to surf in OB, because OB is downright scary when big). I was always curious what those boards feel like and as I'm never going to be a big wave surfer and thus prob never ride a gun, I thought I'd get others thoughts.

I used to live in Oahu and I agree with your sentiments on peeps trying to surf a gun in Waikiki.

[oldmansurfer]

Early big wave surfers used longboards. The big wave board has evolved since then to something sleeker with a pointier nose. For riding big waves you don't need to turn much so they aren't meant to rapidly change directions. Long ago I rode a 9'6" gun in waves with about 8 foot faces and I thought it was very easy to catch and ride waves with as long as I wasn't trying to shred. I think the fin size is perhaps just a little smaller than you might want on a small wave shortboard because they don't need drive from the fins and want less drag from the fins.