The waves are going to be BIG this weekend, so I might sit that out, but next week should be more manageable. It will still be very big by California standards. I have the following boards:
6,8 high performance, ultralight squashtail tri fin.
6,10 Rusty Pirannah
7,6 tri-fin pintail made by Craig Hollingsworth. Wider nose, not too narrow of a tail, and a strong glassjob. (I’m leaning toward this one)
8,2 Jim Phillips rounded nose, pintail single fin, volan glass, very well-shaped rails, works well in almost anything (actually, leaning more toward this one, but I worry about the strenght of the resin-made leash loop).
and a 6,0 fish made by Steve Clark. It’s a REAL fish. 17 tail, 22 middle, and 18 nose with huge swallow tail, wood keel fins, etc. Great board.
I wish I could bring them all, but can only bring one.
What would YOU bring? I weigh 190 and am 6,0.
AND, is a leash loop as strong as a leash cup? I can swim, but don’t want to if I can avoid it.
From what I understand the glass leash loop is stronger than a plug. I have one on my fish and it freaks me out in larger waves but the people at Moonlight said not to worry.
Me personally Im 5 8 and 190 and I would do the 6 8 high performance model everywhere but really its your choice and you gotta decide where you think your going to surf and how you want to surf…so there you are.
Take the 7’6" It’s a good alround size for there. If it does go 6-8 ft your going to want every inch of that board. If you surf Sunset your going to wish you had a bigger board, If you try to surf Pipe…well most people just watch Pipe at 6-8ft, including Ol’ resinhead, good luck.
Unless your used to those kind of waves, the only waves like that in San Diego is at Big Rock? Think of 2 1/2 - 3x overhead Big Rock…now what board do you want? Leave the Fish and the 8ft mini log at home, it’s the North Shore, and if the wind & rain stop it should be classic surf.
I think you will be better served with one of the two longer boards you mentioned. I’m not too sure where you planning on surfing once here, but a little bit longer is better than a little shorter during the winter months. It’s been a bit windy with less than optimum conditions here since Sunday. If you’d like to call once here you can reach me at 225-9037, ask for Derek. I won’t be able to surf until maybe this Sunday. But drop me a line if you like…
For my money the 7’6, if you want some performance with ability to catch something. You’ll be going faster than back home so it’ll ride “smaller”. It’ll probably feel more like a 6’10 does back home. The extra length over your 6’8 should allow you easier entry and confidence in the head high to double overhead stuff which is the norm on the North Shore in the winter. The 8’2 would give you maximum comfort in double to triple overhead, but it may leave you wishing you had brought something a little more high performance. If you aim to ride sizable Sunset, though bring the 8’2 . But remember double to triple overhead here is really thumping. There are lots of used boards in the racks in Haleiwa, but you’ll see most of them in run low volume, at maybe 18 1/4 wide and 2 3/8 thick. Lots of skinny pros and near-pro locals go through lots of thin boards here. Or how much do you want your first Hawaiian experience to be easy, or take a risk at a little frustration to chance really tearing up some good waves?
If you were only going to Waikiki I would go to the beach behind the Royal (in front of Queens break) and ask for one of the beachboys named “Cuba” and rent his 10’6" Mickey Munoz board and save the shipping. But if you’re looking for north shore adventure I would ditto the previous guys’ advice on size counts at most spots. Always have to grit your teeth until you land worrying about board damage when you check it. Buy a new board there and ship it home? Enjoy the ride!
It’ll cost you a $100 or so to ship your board here and back maybe more on the airline. You could get a used board at RV’s in Kapahulu if you’re staying in Waikiki or in country under $250. Also check Country Surfboards in Laie if you’re in the area.
Anyway I’d stay away from the country for a while as it’s contest time and the place will be packed with pro’s, locals, tourists and photogs. You can check out the scene but it’ll be crowded where ever you go if a swell comes in.
If you got the guts, and there’s a swell I’d go to the westside and check out Rest Camp in Waianae or Makaha and some other spots down the road. Stay away from Maili. The waves will be friendlier as will the crowd, especially makaha where Buff and the boys do crowd control. Just take your time sliding into the lineup smile and the boys will let you in on a couple. It’s like Malibu so everyone gos so just ride along with everyone else you’ll have a blast.
You may even see Dave Parmenter out.
If you bring something, 7’6" is the magic length for country.
It’ll cost you a $100 or so to ship your board here and back maybe more on the airline. You could get a used board at RV’s in Kapahulu if you’re staying in Waikiki or in country under $250. Also check Country Surfboards in Laie if you’re in the area.
Anyway I’d stay away from the country for a while as it’s contest time and the place will be packed with pro’s, locals, tourists and photogs. You can check out the scene but it’ll be crowded where ever you go if a swell comes in.
If you got the guts, and there’s a swell I’d go to the westside and check out Rest Camp in Waianae or Makaha and some other spots down the road. Stay away from Maili. The waves will be friendlier as will the crowd, especially makaha where Buff and the boys do crowd control. Just take your time sliding into the lineup smile and the boys will let you in on a couple. It’s like Malibu so everyone gos so just ride along with everyone else you’ll have a blast.
You may even see Dave Parmenter out.
If you bring something, 7’6" is the magic length for country.
You staying in Waikiki?
Actually Maile is OK to surf, very rarely crowded and some good lefts on NW swells, also there is a brand new parking lot there with a shower now. West side stay away from Tracks and 3rd dip unless you really “like beef” if you know what that means. And never EVER EVER leave valubles in the car anywhere on the West side or North Shore unless you want donate it. Rest camp is rarely worth surfing unless Makaha is 15+ feet.
abe phone me Im in the book on kauai there’s all kinds of surf and every board works within it’s own limits…do be careful and sincere with all you meet and it shall be the sweetest pastry of yoour life …just drawing a breath of salt water laden air is sacrament to the heart of every surfer…ambrose…following in the footsteps of moikeha
One more thing. If the wind is calm, or a Kona drive out to the North West beyond Haleiwa. Stop at the State park next to the airfield. There’s 3 breaks there with very little presure, and if you drive a little farther there a few more at the end of the road. Don’t take any valuables or the Ice Prince will visit you.
Take the 7’6" As much for the pintail as for the length. Without a continental shelf to slow 'em down, things happen a little faster there. The wider tails will pitch you. The pin will slide right in.