I’m a lifetime shortboarder - learned on a shorty, ride a shorty in ankle to double OH. But. . . summer’s here and I think that some days just cry out for a longboard. I’m ready to openm my mind to the glide. So, my question is, what type of longboard best suits small summer conditions? I’m in Santa Cruz and I surf in town and the entire north coast. I’m thinking a big log of a noserider would suit me best, since I’ll only be riding it in the small stuff. Any suggestions as far as dimmensions and shape? I’m 5’9", 180. thanks.
go with something from 9’2 - 9’6, n=19, mid=23, tail=16, 7inch tail block. 50-50 rails all the way around, with a good belly on the bottom. if you want it loggy glass it in 7.5 or 10oz volan, and get some huge ol’ fin and put it waayyyyy back. as far as outline goes, i’d make it pretty parallel. oh yeah, and about 3 inches thick. -steve>>> I’m a lifetime shortboarder - learned on a shorty, ride a shorty in ankle > to double OH. But. . . summer’s here and I think that some days just cry > out for a longboard. I’m ready to openm my mind to the glide.>>> So, my question is, what type of longboard best suits small summer > conditions? I’m in Santa Cruz and I surf in town and the entire north > coast. I’m thinking a big log of a noserider would suit me best, since > I’ll only be riding it in the small stuff. Any suggestions as far as > dimmensions and shape? I’m 5’9", 180. thanks.
go with something from 9’2 - 9’6, n=19, mid=23, tail=16, 7inch tail block. > 50-50 rails all the way around, with a good belly on the bottom. if you > want it loggy glass it in 7.5 or 10oz volan, and get some huge ol’ fin and > put it waayyyyy back. as far as outline goes, i’d make it pretty parallel. > oh yeah, and about 3 inches thick. -steve Thanks Steve, that’s exactly what I was looking for.
oops… i almost forgot. put about a 1/8 - 3/16 deep concave on the bottom that goes back about 40 inches or so. have fun -steve>>> Thanks Steve, that’s exactly what I was looking for.
I’m a lifetime shortboarder - learned on a shorty, ride a shorty in ankle > to double OH. But. . . summer’s here and I think that some days just cry > out for a longboard. I’m ready to openm my mind to the glide.>>> So, my question is, what type of longboard best suits small summer > conditions? I’m in Santa Cruz and I surf in town and the entire north > coast. I’m thinking a big log of a noserider would suit me best, since > I’ll only be riding it in the small stuff. Any suggestions as far as > dimmensions and shape? I’m 5’9", 180. thanks. Hi Que, Before you jump in and go totally old school, which for many is where it’s at. Consider that there are alot of longboard shapes out there. The shapers that I’d look at before if I were you are Yater (super clean) August (perform beautifully) Mctavish, (his 9’1" and 9’5" wooden epoxy shapes are worth looking at, serious rocker!) Here in Santa Cruz Doug Haut and John Mel of Freeline and Person all shape some beautiful long boards. John’s are little more new school. Hap Jacobs is clearly among the very best as well. What I’m saying is look around at some sticks. Maybe even surf a few before you decide. I’ll bet Bruce has some ideas for you. I have a 9’0" Freeline that’s magic if you’re interested in the specks. It’s a rounded pin. Surf’s tiny right now here so it’s time to take it out. Good Surfin, Rich
Rich, Thanks for the advice. i actualy had John Mel shape me a hybrid fish board last year and it is a great ride. You don’t hear his name too much - I think he’s underrated. Haut is also an artist, I’ve walked around his shop drooling many times. I guess my follow up question to you would be, are nose riding and performance characteristics mutually exclusive? In other words, can you have both or do you have to choose. If I had to choose I think a noserider is more what I’m looking for. thanks again. PS - looks like we’re going to get some NW and S mixed togather starting later today here in SC [smile]
Rich,>>> Thanks for the advice. i actualy had John Mel shape me a hybrid fish board > last year and it is a great ride. You don’t hear his name too much - I > think he’s underrated. Haut is also an artist, I’ve walked around his shop > drooling many times. I guess my follow up question to you would be, are > nose riding and performance characteristics mutually exclusive? In other > words, can you have both or do you have to choose. If I had to choose I > think a noserider is more what I’m looking for. thanks again.>>> PS - looks like we’re going to get some NW and S mixed togather starting > later today here in SC [smile] Hi Que, Yes you can have both worlds! I won’t rate one guy agains the other here as I think it would be inappropriate. John Mel has shaped me many customs over the years and I’ve been extremely happy with his work. For a pure old school long board from a local then Johnny Rice would be the guy I’d choose. I have 3 longboards you may want to look at just as a point of reference. They’re all quite different but are all nose riders. Email me if you want to chat about your best options here in town at Good Surfin’, Rich p.s. yeah looks like a little bump is on the way.