Hey all, I am a backyard shaper from Florida who will be traveling to the Big Island (Kona area) from December 19-January 5. This will be my first Hawaii experience and I have no clue what size board I will need to shape as Florida waves don’t compare really. I’ve already decided on shaping a board because I can get a great discount on shipping and I have most of the materials laying around for another board. I’m wanting to shape a board that will hold in their typical winter waves but also something small/loose enough where I can throw some turns. Any suggestions or shaping advice will be very appreciated as I’m sure Hawaii requires more rocker, glass, etc. than a Florida board!
Helpful Background Info of Myself:
Weight: 150lbs
Height: 5’11"
Experience: Intermediate
Current Florida “go to” shortboard: 5’10"x18.75"x2.375"
For the short time you’ll be there, WAY more economical and smarter, to rent or borrow a locally available board. No bragging rights about making a board for Hawaii, but a more practical way to get the job done. Riding waves, and having fun.
A neighbor of mine just returned to the mainland from living on the big island for several years (Hilo side) - I noticed in his quiver he had a Pat Rawson gun, a bonzer octafish, and a bonzer longboard.
similar to your current, just a tad bit more rocker, maybe an inch or two longer, no need to get carried away, and keep it simple, plenthy of speed on tap. If you find yourself riding waves requiring more board, plenty of used step-ups on CL.
Thrailkill, indeed I will be there a short time and want to have as much fun as possible. I was really debating whether or not to just buy a used board on CL and selling it before I leave but since the price difference isn’t much and my best friend lives in Kona I’m just going to leave the board with him so I’ll have a board for future trips.
lcc, thanks for your input. When I went to Costa I rode a 6’ x 2.25" in 4-5’ waves which worked pretty well. Do you know what wave size to expect around Kona in the winter? That would probably help me to nail down the size the most as I am assuming right now 4-5’ Hawaiian which is probably comparable to 8-10’ Florida.
it’s going to be an El Nino winter, which means its a complete crap shoot. Could be lotta wind and rain, lotta big lumpy swells…or maybe not.
No comparison between CS and HI, way more juice. Build for what you’re comfortable riding. Not many classic outside set-ups on the big island, more inside, so think daily driver up the overhead range with a lot of juice. Relaxed rocker with a tad extra tail rocker should be fine.
Your conditioning will be bas important as your board. Want to step it up, pick up a quality jump rope with ball bearings in the handles, start spinning, be surprised how exhausting doing ‘rounds’ with a jump rope can be, and how much it can improve your conditioning.
Key to having a good time in HI is don;t feel the need to prove yourself, only surf what you know you can and walk away if you have doubts. The only thing you should feel the need to prove is how good a time you can have…
The Kona Side is no Pipe, Sunset or Waimea. Any board that you can ride in head high or slightly overhead waves somewhere else will also work on the South Shore.