Is new surfboard right for me?

[CaptainRedbeard]

Hi all I’m new to this forum and need some advice! I recently bought my first shortboard, I’ve been surfing a 7’6 minimal till now! I can bottom turn and ride down the line but felt I need something a little more responsive and easier to duck dive on big days. The dims are 6’10 by 18 1/2 by 2 3/8 I’m 6’0 and 13 1/2 stone. My worry is that it’s got a pintail and is narrow at the front! Is it basically a gun? Also it has very little rocker though the middle of the board then is quite extreme at the front! Thanks in advance!

[jaffa1949]

You've got a board that my your description , is as you said a gun board.
Post a picture and we will be able to advise you .

It will duck dive more easily as there is less volume in the length and width compared to your other board, your take off will need to be in steeper parts of the wave and you will need to be more committed to them.
If your skills are up to it could be good!

[CaptainRedbeard]

Pic as requested! Sorry my photography skills aren’t great!

[jaffa1949]

The board is not gun level for Hawaiian style big waves but will serve in most other venues, good speedy down the line walls at point breaks, the stronger nose rocker will help with steeper drops but will lose some paddling speed because of loss of board length on the water.

You will need to make more speed and drive over flatter sections of any wave as it will not compensate Flotationor length where there is less power.
All possible but really now it is about your skills in using it!

[waikikikichan]

Yup, that's a Step-Up or Mini-Gun for double-overhead waves. If you were concerned about the pin tail and the nose rocker, why did you buy it. Or did you buy it sight-unseen ?

plus, if that is a "K-grip" tail pad, that board is really old.

[CaptainRedbeard]

It came with a set of fins that I need and was local! Plus I (stupidly) didn’t research tail shape until I’d bought it! It only cost £60 with al merick fins so...

Double overhead? I went out in 8-10ft at praa sands in January and got put through the spins cycle! With summer coming up I guess I’ll have to wait a while to use it! Thanks for the advice guys

[waikikikichan]

Understood. I recently bought a board because the fins it came with ( FCS bonzers ) were worth as much as the board.

But next time, you may want to ask for advise BEFORE you buy.

[CaptainRedbeard]

Lol yeah!

[RinkyDink]

A better question to ask when you're thinking about buying a surfboard (assuming you're already a competent surfer) is, "Is this surfboard right for the waves I'm surfing?" If you're in Belgium surfing shorepound on a regular basis, then this board probably isn't your best option. One thing I've learned from buying a lot of different surfboards, is that it's better to understand what your average waves are like for the spots you regularly surf, than it is to understand how well you surf. In other words, your surfing skills will be applicable to all boards, for the most part, but your board will not be applicable to all wave types.

[RinkyDink]

I went surfing with Namu last week and he turned me onto this piece of advice from Gerry Lopez.

"I always preach, one should not ride the smallest board they can but rather the biggest board that still allows them to do everything they want to do." http://www.gerrylopezsurfboards.com/sur ... #new-order

That is pretty much the axiom I stick by when I'm looking at buying a surfboard. By the way, the whole article is worth a read.

[jaffa1949]

I went surfing with Namu last week and he turned me onto this piece of advice from Gerry Lopez.

"I always preach, one should not ride the smallest board they can but rather the biggest board that still allows them to do everything they want to do." http://www.gerrylopezsurfboards.com/sur ... #new-order

That is pretty much the axiom I stick by when I'm looking at buying a surfboard. By the way, the whole article is worth a read.

Good call!