thanks so much for the detailed response! appreciate it!! 
What does everyone think of a board like this for nose riding (again, i’m petite - 5’3", 120 lbs, looking for something to nose ride, intermediate level surfer)…
This is a description of a used board I am looking into:
Michael Andrews 9’0" with single nose concave with a mild Vee through the middle
section to a ¼” paneled vee through the last 1/3 of the board. Seller thinks the board has 60/40 rails going to
hard rails in the tail.
I just want to make sure I get the right board. I’ve been surfing for 6 years, but really don’t know a whole lot about board specs / board types … I kinda just go out and surf! really appreciate everyone’s feedback - this is very helpful!
Thanks!
Like everyone said...you could noseride anything with a bit of skill and your size. Hard edges in the tail release=fast, soft rails=suction,but slower. Suction over soft round rails is good for noseriding. Doesn't sound like a "noserider" type of board so far, but a lot of important details(ie. width) have been left out in your description. I can noseride a low tail rockered, tail hard edged, piched railed, board in the 8' range and am 6'2 165lbs, so again, it is all about skill, and your size will do nothing but help you with your quest to noseride.
I say build one... Swaylocks peeps are always helpful in the process. Petite surfer gals normally get a place in front of the line. I’m sure you can find a mentor here and learn what makes a board work… 9’0”…2 7/8” 18” x 22” x 14”…50/50 rails…flattish entry rocker + concave...to belly…to vee + late tail kick…big fin. It is an amazing feeling riding your own creation. Go for it!
Much too big for a woman her size.
I’d say, more like 8’6" or so. Cripes, in the so-called ‘longboard era’ a 9’4" was standard size for a 150lb man. I weigh 145-150 and my noserider is an 8’0". But, that’s with over 45 years’ experience in riding all sorts of shapes and sizes.
9' will give her an edge
keep it simple
no concaves just flat with V and kick in the tail and soft rails and a big fin
no heavy glass just one 6oz bottom and double deck maybe a patch for knee paddling
This thread is taking off… my wife is your same size, she surfs a 9’2" hobie auntie mo, check the link http://www.hobie.com/surfboards/Auntie-Mo-66-1.aspx it’s a nice board clean shape and lighter than a mens “noserider.” It all comes back to board preference like most have pointed out, but I would suggest you go with something clean and classic vs. created just for tip time with a turbo tunnel fin. My longboard is 10’0" and weighs 30lbs. My wife cant carry it to the beach much less paddle it out in good waves, and a intermediate surfer might also break an arm or leg on the board sense the glass job is so stout. You want a board that has a good lines to it but also is light enough for you to paddle safely and that you can carry, also a double 6oz glass job insures you will break your board and it will not break you, look for a lighter board with minimal rocker but still with a little length under 9’ foot is to small regardless, unless you are a child, you want something to walk on and look lady like while sliding, 9’2" - 9’6" with the right weight and shape should work fine, a mans 9’6" noserider will be to much board, something more lady like in a 9’6" should be fun, talk to some longboard shapers in your area.
9’6" is a boat, for a woman her size.
how about something like this
I think it was 8.6
its still at Inflight surf shop
$400 bucks .,dont know if they will ship it
Im 5’8’’ x 185lbs, and a 9’6’’ would be good for me i believe, in small peelers.
Most beginner to intermediate folks who ride longboards are on something that’s much too big. While extra length may facilitate nose-riding, keep in mind that you’ll still want to turn the damn thing!
I have a 9’1’’ modern longboard, which has turned up rails which blends into a nose concave. Being “modern” it turns unreal, and i do prefer it in waist to a touch overhead and with a bit of push. It seems to come alive then. Im hopeless at trying to nose ride it though, love to get the hang of it but boy, do i suck!!
Here's a little inspiration.
My all time favorite foto of a female surfer.
No longboard needed by Jeri tho'.
Loved watching her surf. Ran into her several times at Waikiki. Very similar to Rell in so many ways.
That Auntie Mo model looks like it would be perfect.
I think the key to a good nose riding board is the low nose rocker, kick in the tail and the soft rails. Go to Tom Wegener’s website and read what he has to say about design. Check out some of his videos too. He knows how to get long nose rides.
Don’t think. Sounds stupid, I know, but don’t think. At least don’t think you must go 9’3 or less. The wiggle and prance to and from is appealing. Oh yes. A 10’r will give you an extra step.
If you must think, think about how many steps it takes to the nose from a center trimming position and from the tail. Your natural steps. That is how you find the best natural fit, then, halve those steps, wave permitting, when you surf.
Don’t forget the wiggle and prance.
We’re stoked.
edit: or you could just go aggro butch grind kine. pounce to the nose, throw a few kicks add some punches, spin crotch claim, beat that wave to a pulp…obviously my lesser of the two
Ok, in some schools of thought, a longboard is at least 3’ taller than the rider. In other schools of thought, a longboard must be at least 9’ measured on the deck side… I say ignore all of our testosterone driven comments, check out Kassia Meador, she is a PRO LONGBOARDER from Oceanside Ca who is 5’6" tall and weighs 105 lbs according to the Roxy site. She rides boards by Donald Takayama and I am sure her classic style singlefin logs are all over 9’ long… She is on facebook so I would suggest becoming her friend and asking her opinion about what type of board she would suggest for you… Make reference to this thread and tell her that Tony the Puerto Rican guy says she is a hottie and admires her surfing…
Didn't realize you were such a sweet little thing or I would have chimned in sooner. Three foot over your head is considered a long board. The one you described will work fine. I'm not a fan of all the busy panels(V to this, V to that) that you described but sounds like it will work for you. It will definitly further your education and teach you something about what you will eventually want. ie. What you will walk into a shaping room and tell your shaper that YOU want. Lowel
It’s simple to lay a finless board on sand or a cushion then walk on it and see what fits, you will notice a difference in one inch… well, I did.
so, so and so’s perfect board length might not be yours.
Awesome photo!! Hmm… so maybe I should be trying harder to nose ride my 8’0" Southpoint instead of searching for the perfect nose riding board! I’ve gotten a mix of commentary on nose riding my Southpoint - some people are telling me it’s not the right board for it, but I’ve come sorta kinda close to doing a “cheater 5”… Thanks for the inspiration!
It's all about timing and where you need to be on the wave. Watch someone that is good at noseriding, and study when and where they walk to the nose...walk up when there is a steep section in front of you, and walk back once you are approaching the shoulder. that's my take on it, good luck