I want some opinions from the board connoisseurs on Swaylock’s. I am planning to get a new board shaped, but I don’t get a new board that often, so I want something that will really work for me.
I have been interested in Liddles and researching them. However, when I went to one of the dealers that have Liddles, the person I talked to suggested a different shaper, and that shaper then suggested an Egg instead of a hull.
But then, this shaper didn’t really seem to “get” my main priority- which is catching waves easily (I weigh about 175, am in my mid-50’s, and don’t have as much upper-body strength as I did when I was younger).
A close second priority - but still a second, because you gotta catch the waves to surf them! -is being able to get a better trim line/get into better pocket position and get some little cover-ups. I’m a regularfoot and mostly ride some fairly mellow right points, usually shoulder to head high max.
In reading some postings here, I hear both that people are in love with the trim and tube riding capacity of the hulls; and conversely, that hulls are more difficult to ride b/c they don’t turn from the tail. (I’ve never surfed my current funshape from really far back on the tail, and have a pretty low stance.)
What do you guys think? Should I go ahead and go for a Liddle Pointbreaker or In-Between, (I’d need at least 8’0" ) or stick with the shaper I’ve been talking to, despite my feeling of an overall lack of communication with him?
sounds like you surf the type of waves that hulls excel in,and you’re looking for the charactartic ride hulls give. so my opin: forget your shaper,and go with a Liddle singlefin.
change of subj: i’m guessin sb is santa barbara… and sc is santa cruz?? did i win a t-shirt? a sticker?
If you are interested in Liddles, get one and give it a go. They aren’t known for catching waves easy compared to flat bottom boards of equal length but its not that bad either. It really depends on how you want to surf. I wouldn’t say a Liddle is the ultimate tube board though (but you can get covered up on them). However, the smooth feeling of a Liddle is really unlike any other board.
Well,let’s see, SINCE YOU ASKED: you are in your mid 50’s,weigh 175,no so much arm strength anymore,your Main priority is catching waves,you need at least an 8.0…IMO, you need to find the right shaper FIRST,who will make you the board you NEED to catch waves for where you surf,in other words,not something you want like this or like that,but what HE knows will get you waves and a fun session.Amen!
Spence(Spencer Kellogg) can make you exactly what you want. He is fully versed in hulls…and has many proven designs on file or can make you a custom. He is in Ventura and is a sometimes contributor to Swaylocks.
Getting a hull from Hawaii is like driving by Safeway to go to Ralphs to get a quart of milk!
Art4Peace got a nice 8’7’’ Liddle Super Smoothie like Matts and mine, will see if this works out, she was happy, that board has a bit less hull and some more rocker because of its size, also less S deck.
Hi Kirk, I see you figured out that Art4Peace is me!
Thanks to everyone who offered their opinions and sage advice here! As Kirk says, I decided to go for the 8’7" Super Smoothie and drove up to Ventura to buy it. (An additional consideration was that it was a good size for me, and also glassed and ready - I really wanted to try it out ASAP b/c I’m a teacher, have this week off, and have enough time right now to spend getting acclimated to a new board.) I took it out at Rincon this morning - about 1-2 foot waves but glassy, sunny and beautiful. I got used to paddling it right away, it feels really natural to me. Only caught a few waves this time (of the relatively few available!) but I wasn’t bummed about it b/c I mainly just wanted to get used to paddling it. I know it will take some patience to follow the learning curve, but I’m definitely stoked!
I’m definitely interested in some of the offers here to go for a session with Swaylocks hull-a-holics, and also in continuing the hull discussion further. Thanks again, Val
