hi. i was wondering what kind, type, and size of board i should get to ride at Reef Road, The Rocks, RC’s etc. when a hurricane hits (think isabel). although this probably isn’t possible, it would be nice to have a board i could ride in 3-6 foot and 15-20 foot. thanks for your help. Josh
I have found that a high performance longboard works the best for all conditions. They perform well in the small stuff but can still handle the big stuff. The only key is you have got to be a really good paddler to get out at a beach break when riding a longboard in big surf.
For what your describing you’ll need: two different boards, to start swimming miles everyday, and live nearby waiting for the one or two perfect days. Reef Road, or any other high performance Fla. spot, is not for longboards of any sort when it’s on. And you probably won’t be welcome out there on one. Repsect the local conditions. Rob Olliges
…where the hell do u see 20 foot waves? haha. reef road may get 20 foot faces, but everywhere else u wont even see faces that big. rc’s? are u kidding.no chance of 20 foot waves. get 2 different boards. dj
Ryan, Having surfed on the east coast for a large portion of the last 40 or so years , I would say you should rethink your approach. One board is not enough for the range of conditions we see. Though I am not familiar with the spots you mention, I surfed the Ft. Pierce area in the late 60’s/early 70’s and wherever you are it couldn’t be much different/better than I saw. I’m farther north now and have 4 or 5 favorites (out of a stash of 25+ collected/built over the years)that meet specific conditions. What works - for max fun and effeciency - in mellow warm water knee slaps is no match for what’s required for the classic days of hurricane swells. If I can pass on one hard learned lesson… NEVER get rid of a board you like. It may be the one you really want for that swell of the year. If you are a few bucks short for that new board, everyone thinks “Sell the board I’m riding now.” Bullshit. Sell some cd’s, have a yard sale… where is it written that to get a new - or another - board you have to get rid of what you have… Variety is the spice of life! Pete
Pete, I agree with everything you said totally. I have surfed the east coast and many other places around the world for 14 years now. I grew up on the carolina coast. I personally own 4 boards ranging from a 6’fish to 6’6" round pin to a 7’2" pin to a 9’ high performance longboard. As unpopular as it may be, I have found that my 9’0" will ride all conditions ranging from knee high mush to 10’ on the north shore where I live now.
I agree performance longboards go anywhere. One board is the 9 6 for me with slight variations
i surfed the isabell swell on a 9’4" HP longboard. as far as longboards are concerned —“you can surf most of the waves, most of the time - but not ALL the waves ,all of the time.” josh, start building your self a quiver, but if you surf florida make sure that your FIRST purchase is a longboard.
Or you could just get a nugget and skip the longboard.
Josh, I was wondering the same thing a few years ago. My 9’0 works good in both conditions but it’s tough to paddle out on those big days, My shortboard just doesn’t cut it in double overhead stuff. What I stumbled onto was a shape that has been made loacally for years(East Coast). I know I’m gonna catch crap on this one but here it goes anyway - It’s based on an 8’0 fun board. Take in the nose to more of a performance shape, leave it a little on the thick side, flat bottom with a little “v” in the tail. I recommend a rounded squash back end. You have to remember that a surfboard shape is always a compromise. This shape catches early, glides through the flats, and holds in big steep faces. With practice you can duck dive it, this is a serious consideration when you charging a big beach break. I found the flat bottom gives good speed in small mushy surf and with the right fins can get down right loose if that how you like to ride. I’ve had mine for 2 years and it is by far the most versitile board in my quiver and needless to say my favorite too. Skip
If you want to be able to perform on all size surf you have to have a quiver, no single board will do. Last year during Isabel swell everyone who didn’t have a board that could stick a bottom turn was getting shut out. I took out the 6’8 semi -gun(defcon1) and was down the line all the way to the beach. The advice about not selling your boards that you know perform well is on the money. You’ll start to really feel which board to ride by just looking at it…Surf On! http://www.soulsurfertv.com
that sounds like a greg loher millinium shape, or similar to a Rusty desert island shape .
thanks for all your input guys, i have awhile before hurricane season so i’ll think about it. i’ll let you know what happens.
what do you guys think about the rusty desert island standard? it says small beach break to double overhead. just wondering, thanks again for your help. you can see it here. http://www.rusty.com/home.html
eh…go to www.tomneilsonshapes.com and shoot him an email. I recently was pointed in his direction and his boards just work in FL waves. In fact they work great. Lots of spped through the flats, fun on the mushy days, really really fun on the good days. I have a 9’6" I love, and am buying a 6’2" Flying fish as well that I’ve had a blast on…in knee high waves.
Josh, I have 2 Desert Islands - 9’ and 8’ 6", both C-5’s. Got the 9’ for Costa Rica but have used it in bigger East Coast and smaller hollow fast days and have enjoyed it though it’s a bit heavy for my liking and now sits in the rack.The 8-6 I grabbed when a friend wanted to sell and I rode it too in C.R. and in all range of east coast conditions and liked it more than the 9-0. It has the C-5 but with a center box which makes it very versatile for trying a variety of fin set ups. I found I rode it mostly as a tri - thought the C-5 was not great in slower/mushier conditions. IF - and it’s a big “IF” (see my post above) you can only have one board, I would say the Desert Island should be a consideration. But, you won’t be doing much, if any, noseriding on it - it’s pretty narrow up there. Too bad you’re in Fla. as my rack is full to overflowing and I’m thinking of selling at least one of my D.I.'s. Good luck in your quest - Pete
Josh, Looking at the DI, It’s pretty close to my board. I would stick to the shorter sizes, 8 to 8’6. This should give you what your looking for. Just remember it’s a compromise. Skip