Elevators & Longboards

Moved into Waikiki last October, less than two blocks from Kuhio Beach. Consider it a moral imperative to learn to surf, so renting those $8 softtops from Beach Boy stands, with an occsaional “lesson”. Yesterday stood up without a push-off (twice!). Been looking at surf shops all along, but it’s past time to get serious about buying. I could go out nearly every morning early! Problem is: condo elevator is only about 9-feet tall with the longest diagonal dimension less than 10 feet max. Stairwell did accomodate an epoxy 10’6" Robert August WingNut II rental, but it’s 7 flights up with 360-turns all the way.

What should I consider practical width & thickness for a board under 10’ long, so I can learn to glide, maybe even someday ride the nose?

Barb--------- If you are going to play the part be the part. Get yourself an astro van or some other type of suv that a 10’0 can go in and leave your board in it. Don’t even do the stairs thing. McDing

I have a close friend (a really stylish surfer) who’s around 65-70 year old, since i meet him, he allways rode longboards. A year ago i saw him on a self shaped egg and i asked him:

-“Hey Tito, how long is this surf board?”

*“It’s 7’4’’ Coque…”

-“7’4’‘? why you jumped from 9’8’’ to 7’4’'?”

*“Man, my elevator is 7’5’‘, so all my surfboards now are 7’4’’ with different shapes. I live in a 6th and i don’t want to go up stairs anymore… i want to use my energy to surf, i can shape a 7’4’’ that paddles as a ninefooter!”

So Tito jumped from 9’8’’ to 7’4’’ at 67 y.o., so i think you can find 9’6’’ or 9’8’’ surfboard that fits your likes… is cheaper than buying a van. Anyway, after the softop this will be a jewell.

Good waves!

You didn’t say what your weight was, but as your skills improve, you won’t need the stability of a 10’ board. Get a used 8-10 or 9-0 and learn on it. Use that board as a baseline to determine what you want in a new custom/rack board. In any case, get a padded bag because that elevator shuffle sounds like trouble.