Hi all.
I just had some general shaping questions; because I’m getting my first shortboard shaped in the near future. I’ve been pretty much using longboards, and funshapes for the past 2 years now (I’m 19 now), and think I’m ready for the move to something abit smaller.
I tried to use a friends ezera at 6’7x 19x 2 3/8, but I can duck dive the board for the life of me… It feels way to buoyant for me, cause I can get this thing to sink at all. (I’m 5’6" and 134Lbs.) I was just wondering, what makes the board so hard to dive with? The size of the board itself (as compared to my size), or does it have something to do with the entry rocker. I had heard somewhere that the entry rocker could have a tremendous effect on how the board dives.
I was thinking about going for something shorter than the 6’7’’ however. I’m thinking something perhaps 6’2"x19.25x2.25 . I know the board will be a tad wider (does .25" make that much of a diff?), but I think the much smaller height, and smaller thickness of the board will make it much easier to dive with. Am I right in my assumption?
I’m just looking to make this board a head high, and under board. As far as tail design, it’s gonna be a squash, or swallow tail. Most likely squash. As far as all the other dimensions (Ie. Cloth weight, tail rocker, etc) I’m not really sure what I should be looking for. I’ll have to take to greg (the shaper) about it.
overall bounacy of the board also has a huge effect on the float of a board. if his board is really full and has boxy rails it would produce as much float as a board several inches longer.
there are many guys in here that can tell you that they can sink a board much longer then them, and its all in the way that you duck dive. its a lot of technique.
something that a lot of longboarders dont have, we just arent used to or have any amount of practice ducking a board.
i myself 6’4 175 pounds has a hard time ducking some boards becasue i dont do it very often.
so try it a few more times get the technique down and see if its any better. and i know that a 6’2 will still be 8 inches over head but you might want to think about going a little longer. cutting off a couple of feet from your board is going to be hard to get used to.
thanks alot for the advice, I’ll continue working on it then. As for a board abit longer, my shortest board is a 7’6’’ funshape, so like you said maybe staying abit longer wouldn’t be a bad idea afterall. Maybe something 6’7?
im the same height 10 pounds lighter than you and my normal shortboard is 6’1x18x2.5 single fin with a domed deck and tapered rail. Id say to do not go under 2 3/8 for thickness and try to keep a fuller outline with around a 14" nose and 19" wide point. A 6’0 with a mellow rocker and boxy rail wiill suit you just fine as will a 6’2 that is slightly narrower and and a little thicker then 2 3/8. Its all about trying what you like and leaving alot up to the shaper. Dont lie about ability if he asks you because as long as you give him the truth he can really make a magic board for you.