I usually surf a point break (38th in Santa Cruz or the Hook). Long peeling rights (or short in teh case of the Hook). Just wondering if there is an alternative to riding a longboard on these type of waves when they are smaller 2-7 feet. Don’t get me wrong, i like my 9’0", but now that I’m past the beginner stage, I’d like to have the option of a shorter board that paddles well, is fast fast fast, turns a little better than a LB, and basically that can compete with the longboard crowd for waves even on crowded days. I’m more into teh flowing speed style of surfing than slahing and jibbing. Am I dreaming? I just am not well-versed in shapes and would like some options. Thanks. PS - I’m 5’9" and 180lbs and a decent paddler.
I have a couple of suggestions for an alternative to your longboard. you mentioned you want to go fast and surf smooth and stylish. Well,you might want to check out Greg Liddle’s website(Liddlesurfboards)his boards surf, or will allow you to surf in the manner you described.They go fast,provide long, drawn out turns,and when hooked up fell unreal!Definitely no butt wiggling, rather minor weight adjustments, heel or toe pressure adjustments and perhaps a flick of the ankle is all that is really needed to turn etc.you may want to contact Paul Gross- he builds similar type boards.(pauldgross@earthlink.net)Another source for these type of boards is Aquatech in Marina del Rey.They build the Bojorquez model which would work good for you too.Marc Andrini at the Beach House in santa barbara builds the Vaquero model which is a pretty bitchin’ hybrid and would work well in santa cruz.In fact, he use to live there and Doug Haut still glasses his boards.Finally, I understand that John Mel used to ride Liddles and could probably build you a really neat stubbie type board. I have and do ride these boards and can tell you they would meet your needs per your message.(have not ridden a John Mel board though.)hope this helps! Matt
I have been riding the same beach break for more years than I can care to remember. So my situation is different on several different levels. One being the type of break you surf. Moreover, I am over 50 and pretty much ride long/mid length boards (8’8" egg and a 9’4" with 2+1 fin setup). When our local break gets that right combination of swell in the 3-6’ range I jump on a 8’ three fin hybrid. Yesterday, I was up in the rafter’s in the garage and pulled down my old 7’ single wing swallow tail (made in 1986) and might play around on that later on this summer/fall. I am 6’ at 190 and was never a great/strong paddler. Been at this off and on since 1963 and see no earthly reason to stop because of the weak arms and gray hair…good luck.>>> Am I dreaming? I just am not well-versed in shapes and would like some > options. Thanks.
Thanks so much for the great suggestions. Matt, I think you described my preferred style better than I could myself. I’m intrigued by the boards you have described and will definately look into them. Waeg, I also appreciate your input very much. Thanks very much and keep the suggestions coming!
Thanks so much for the great suggestions. Matt, I think you described my > preferred style better than I could myself. I’m intrigued by the boards > you have described and will definately look into them. Waeg, I also > appreciate your input very much. Thanks very much and keep the suggestions > coming! How about a retro egg. maybe in the 7’8’ to 8’4" range. These were what longboards originally transitioned to with the Harbour Spherical Revolver and the Hobie Silver Bullet or Micky Munoz’s Deadly Flying Glove (Hobie). Longer, wider and faster. Alotta fun! JC
Since you’re a Santa Cruzer you might want to stop by the Freeline shop and talk with John (Mel). He works in the shop on Monday and Friday afternoons. John’s been building boards in and around Santa Cruz for over 30 years and he has it wired to say the least. Moreover you can discuss your needs with John and work with him as he shapes your custom board, built to your specifications and for the kind of surfing you want to do. The dispalcement hull boards (Liddle et al) do not surf like a conventional surfboard. According to Greg they don’t ride backhand all that well, and turning is another story. You turn the board from the middle, not from the tail. You can email Greg at and he will be glad to give you an overview of his boards. You can also view his boards at http://sites.netscape.net/clarkgliddle/index.html. Greg lives on Kauai and shapes out of his home. I’ve found it helpful to know exactly what it is I want to do with my surfing, and what I enjoy the most re the surfing experience. Once I know that, the type of board I want becomes much more evident. I live in Santa Cruz and John has been shaping my boards for years. If you want to talk with me, contact by email at . I’ll be happy to throw in (more) than my two cents worth! Aloha
All good info by all , I have all the boards mentioned by matt and I am a goofy foot . The andreini 8’2’is the most versatile I can just grab it and go no worrys.But I just gave andreini my 7’6’ Liddle and he didnt want to give it back, and it gos backside great. The bojorquez is in between those two. My Paul Gross boards are all more specialized 9’4’ spoon 9’0’gun 8’4’nat young copy of his 1968 world contest board and 7’0’ stand up model of Velo with edges,all keepers works of ART!For santa cruz ,the Andreini Vaqueros Model would be the call for me.I am 6’ 170 the poolguy kp.
All good info by all , I have all the boards mentioned by matt and I am a > goofy foot . The andreini 8’2’is the most versatile I can just grab it and > go no worrys.But I just gave andreini my 7’6’ Liddle and he didnt want to > give it back, and it gos backside great. The bojorquez is in between those > two. My Paul Gross boards are all more specialized 9’4’ spoon 9’0’gun > 8’4’nat young copy of his 1968 world contest board and 7’0’ stand up model > of Velo with edges,all keepers works of ART!For santa cruz ,the Andreini > Vaqueros Model would be the call for me.I am 6’ 170 the poolguy kp. a stand up model of velo sounds bitchin’ .how is it built and how does it ride?is it just a upscaled version of greeno’s velo? aloha flo
Aloha Flo The 7’0’gross is not a flex spoon, its foam standard construction.The template is like Velo just blowin up, the edges are like greenoughs edge boards but not as radical.We made flextail boards like this that worked great but a lot of work. Matt Miller and I are going to try to post some pictures of our boards.KP.