Need longboard shaping advice

[torg294]

Hey dudes, I'm new here and have been cruising the forums for sometime looking for some shaping advice, I've found some general info across a few different topics but no major specifics

I have shaped a 6'2" shortboard that I'm currently in the process of glassing, including a homemade single fin. I live in Australia and have the opportunity to get either an 8'4" or 9'2" blank to shape my first longboard. My town rarely has a consistent wave but can get a nice 1-4ft with a decent swell. I want something that can be easy and fun to catch on and I'm not sure if I need the extra length, or should aim for a mid-length/mini-mal. And then any shaping advice for a fairly cruisey, easy catching board that i could learn to step on

cheers

[IB_Surfer]

i just sold my 8ft board and had a 7'6" funboard made. Although not the same dimensions you are looking at I found that I caught as many waves with the 7'6 an enjoy the smaller size for small wave performance.

So, if you are a good surfer go smaller for performance, but if you want to maximize your chances to catch go bigger. Hope that helps

[dtc]

I dont think you will find all that much difference between those boards; its not like a shortboard where 10 inches is significant. If you are going above 8ft, may as well get a 9ft board - there is a reason why most longboards are 9ft (other than tradition and longboard comp rules) - its a great length to maximise wave catching and especially that longboard 'glide' vs not being too unwieldy. The shorter board will offer marginally more performance I guess, but not by much

I suppose - I dont think it will really matter too much. if you were comparing 9ft with 7'6 then it would matter; but 9'2 vs 8'4 for a good surfer is probably neither here nor there really.

[torg294]

i just sold my 8ft board and had a 7'6" funboard made. Although not the same dimensions you are looking at I found that I bought as many waves with the 7'6 an enjoy the smaller size for small wave performance.

So, if you are a good surfer go smaller for performance, but if you want to maximize your chances to catch go bigger. Hope that helps

Thanks for that, i never really considered anything under 8ft, but I think i'll go with the bigger for now, just to help me imporve my pop ups and such. I've only just started surfing properly so i've got a lot to learn still, the first thing that shortboards aren't that easy

cheers

[torg294]

I dont think you will find all that much difference between those boards; its not like a shortboard where 10 inches is significant. If you are going above 8ft, may as well get a 9ft board - there is a reason why most longboards are 9ft (other than tradition and longboard comp rules) - its a great length to maximise wave catching and especially that longboard 'glide' vs not being too unwieldy. The shorter board will offer marginally more performance I guess, but not by much

I suppose - I dont think it will really matter too much. if you were comparing 9ft with 7'6 then it would matter; but 9'2 vs 8'4 for a good surfer is probably neither here nor there really.

Rightio, i might go with the 9 then if thats the case, it would be nice to have an easier time catching so i can spend more time on learning to ride, probably also gives me more room to work with, i can also cut it down i guess
Any suggestions on shapes? I'm really just thinking minimal rocker with a bit more in the tail, soft rails all round and a pin tail, round nose, i guess you can't really go to wrong with that sort of size

cheers

[dtc]

Personally not a fan of pin tails, much prefer thumb/squash tails. You dont need a pin tail on a longboard for small waves (and arguably dont want it). But otherwise, yes, minimal nose rocker but a bit more in the tail, soft rails (maybe hard toward the tail?). Think about the foil as well, for smaller waves keep the nose and tail fairly thick, but if you are thinking of bigger waves or beachies, then a slightly narrower tail foil might be worth consideration.

Have a search around about longboard concaves, they tend to be different to the standard single to double in shorter boards eg often rolled or hard Vees toward the tail, noseriders have concaves up the front etc. The blank might come with concaves I guess?

[waikikikichan]

just to help me imporve my pop ups and such.

Wait, can you clarify, you want advice on how to SURF a long board or how to SHAPE a long board ?

[torg294]

just to help me imporve my pop ups and such.

Wait, can you clarify, you want advice on how to SURF a long board or how to SHAPE a long board ?

I'm looking for shaping advice for a longboard, I'm simply choosing to shape a longboard instead of another shortboard to help learn more about riding
But any advice in general is always helpful haha

[torg294]

Personally not a fan of pin tails, much prefer thumb/squash tails. You dont need a pin tail on a longboard for small waves (and arguably dont want it). But otherwise, yes, minimal nose rocker but a bit more in the tail, soft rails (maybe hard toward the tail?). Think about the foil as well, for smaller waves keep the nose and tail fairly thick, but if you are thinking of bigger waves or beachies, then a slightly narrower tail foil might be worth consideration.

Have a search around about longboard concaves, they tend to be different to the standard single to double in shorter boards eg often rolled or hard Vees toward the tail, noseriders have concaves up the front etc. The blank might come with concaves I guess?

thanks for that,
its often hard to find info on these things, i think i'll look into rounder tails and definitely am considering a nose concave, i just think they look nice if not anything else - i've also read that lots of people keep things flat for the rest so i'll have more of a look and find out
cheers

[IB_Surfer]

Rightio, i might go with the 9 then if that's the case, it would be nice to have an easier time catching so i can spend more time on learning to ride, probably also gives me more room to work with, i can also cut it down i guess
Any suggestions on shapes? I'm really just thinking minimal rocker with a bit more in the tail, soft rails all round and a pin tail, round nose, i guess you can't really go to wrong with that sort of size

cheers

I like how you are thinking. A pintail is an acquired taste, it was originally designed to tuck into big waves easier, but it has taken on a retro look all of its own. May I suggest a thumbtail? I usually get that on most of my boards, including longboards, I just like how they turn better than a squash, that turns harder, or a pin, that slots up and doesn't turn as much..

[torg294]

Rightio, i might go with the 9 then if that's the case, it would be nice to have an easier time catching so i can spend more time on learning to ride, probably also gives me more room to work with, i can also cut it down i guess
Any suggestions on shapes? I'm really just thinking minimal rocker with a bit more in the tail, soft rails all round and a pin tail, round nose, i guess you can't really go to wrong with that sort of size

cheers

I like how you are thinking. A pintail is an acquired taste, it was originally designed to tuck into big waves easier, but it has taken on a retro look all of its own. May I suggest a thumbtail? I usually get that on most of my boards, including longboards, I just like how they turn better than a squash, that turns harder, or a pin, that slots up and doesn't turn as much..

definitely something that sounds what i'm looking for, thanks for all the info guys
on a side note i took out my first homemade board yesterday and it went awesome, caught only a few waves because it was windy and rough, but so glad that it floats haha
got me hooked

[dtc]

Fantastic that your first board went well.

[nickjoseph754]

Personally not a fan of pin tails, much prefer thumb/squash tails. You dont need a pin tail on a longboard for small waves (and arguably dont want it). But otherwise, yes, minimal nose rocker but a bit more in the tail, soft rails (maybe hard toward the tail?). Think about the foil as well, for smaller waves keep the nose and tail fairly thick, but if you are thinking of bigger waves or beachies, then a slightly narrower tail foil might be worth consideration.

Have a search around about longboard concaves, they tend to be different to the standard single to double in shorter boards eg often rolled or hard Vees toward the tail, noseriders have concaves up the front etc. The blank might come with concaves I guess?

thanks for that,
its often hard to find info on these things, i think i'll look into rounder tails and definitely am considering a nose concave, i just think they look nice if not anything else - i've also read that lots of people keep things flat for the rest so i'll have more of a look and find out
cheers

Rounder tails can indeed offer different surfing experiences, so it's worth exploring if you're interested. And a nose concave can add some aesthetic appeal to your surfboard as well. If you're curious about keeping the rest of the board flat, it's worth doing some further research to see if that's something that aligns with your surfing style and preferences.