Choose mid-length or 9'0 as I improve?

[MarvelleSurfer]

Hi all,

First post here - I've read the FAQs and didn't see a similar question. I'm a 45 year old 150 pound surfer. Surfing came late to me in life but I love it dearly and have advanced quite a bit. At my break in Santa Cruz I'm one of the better surfers now but still surf a comical 8'0 Modern Double Wide that is 90+ liters! It's full of holes but I still can surf nice lines and I really enjoy getting into bigger waves now.

Question - I have money to get a "real" board now and am waffling between going smaller (CI Mid at 7'6) or longer (TJ Jensen or CJ Nelson 9'1). Everyone at my break surfs longer boards but I really enjoy my turning and free surfing up and down the face vs straight lines.

Boards I'm considering: CI Mid, TJ Nelson Gem or Pro, CJ Nelson Parallax (hard to find), CJ Nelson Outlier

Does anyone have any advice for me?? Very much appreciated and thank you for this forum!

[Geezer]

Buy used in decent condition; brand shape and the rest up to what catches your eye but at least you can sell it for near what you paid if it doesn't work out.

Look at what other good surfers ride at your break and talk to a local shaper would be helpful. They would both know what works in the waves you ride.

[oldmansurfer]

What about a custom board made for you by local shaper

[IB_Surfer]

Go mid length, I kept going shorter and shorter, and now a little bigger.

I’m 56yrs old and 180lbs when heavy, my shortie is 6’1 but my fun board is a 7’4” mid. I have a longboard, bud don’t use it

[MarvelleSurfer]

Thank you for the responses. As a newbie I really appreciate the help. I got pretty close to a local shaper - went with a CJ Nelson Outlier 8'0. He's a San Francisco guy and I surf in Santa Cruz. I chickened out of the CI Mid 7'2 - it felt so small and knifey when I held it. It would have resulted in many frustrating sessions. After a long chat with a local, I got over my fear of the Outlier and the hull(ish) system. It's a single fin and I got a 9 inch on there. The board is still at the shop but it's the yellow 8'0 version of this. Will definitely update after I get this beauty in the water. https://cjnelsondesigns.com/surfboards/outlier/

[oldmansurfer]

That board would likely be great under my feet ! I approve of this board. LOL Hopefully it will work well for you

[IB_Surfer]

Awesome, post a pic of the new beauty when you get her.

[TeeBee89]

Ditto. Can't wait to hear a ride report and what your fin prefs end up being. Waffled on a CJ Outlier that passed through local shop, still regretting it. Funny, had similar feelings about CI Mid as well.