Is the Nuuhiwa Noserider considered the all-time best noserider ever?
When I say best noserider, I mean as in hang-10 trick noseriding. Like, the hot dog style of surfing, such as walking up to the nose then walking back switch, or doing backwards hang-10’s.
Basically, what is the best hot-dogging noserider made? If there isn’t a particular model, what are the best dimensions for a board like this?
I would like to know because I think it’s an interesting subject.
Don’t forget Con’s Ugly and Super Ugly.
I can’t get to he nose of a 9’6" + board because I get winded, and my back hurts.
Yater Spoon?
Though Bing’s board is widely considered THE best ever noserider, I’m with Lee on the spoon by Yater as a contender. By the way, can anyone define the primary differences between a spoon and a step-deck?
While combing through an old 1965 issue of “Surfer” a while back I had to smile at a full page black/white ad for Dewey Webber boards showing Harold Iggy holding his skil 100 and boasting the merits of the new innovation in surfboards …the step-deck. A lot of my friends back in the day swore a Webber “performer” shaped by master Iggy (Dewey’s main man then) was the only board worth riding on the planet.
I just got back a half hour ago from getting beat up in some chest high chop… some days are reeeeel humbling when you get old. Ahhhh the good ole days. How bout today’s wisdom (gained from decades of mistakes), yesterday’s body and stamina, and a brand new 1965 noserider … dreamweaver… Still trying to enjoy the ride! Spoon vs Step-deck?
First board a 10’er Oneill Intruder (ghostshaper), I sold it just before getting the 7’7" x 24 AussieV bottom, and rode a Hansen 50/50 for almost a month.
What a great board! 7" shorter, much quicker to turn, easy and responsive, I woulda stuck with longboarding if I hadn’t already ordered the V bottom.
Made me realize how those surfers in the mags could be so good.
“best ever” doesn’t mean it has to be vintage. gene cooper’s “device” noserides as good as anything.
i just placed a order for a bing 9’8" noserider, you know the old {nuuhiwa},matt calvani (sp?) said the turn around was about a month, i cant wait to get my new board. I rode a 9’0" yater spoon, i wasnt impressed, i also used to own a jim phillips shaped -hanson50/50, fin selection was important,i loved that board, but its not nearly as good of a noserider as the 9’6" joel tudor “classic square” i ride now .i am by no means a expert, but out of all the longboards ive owned or ridden (takayamas,tylers, weber performers,waldens,stewarts,yaters,channon,etc…) i like the tudor 9-6 classic square for small clean waves, and a 9-4 takayama beach-break for chest-overhead.
Spoon too small?
That’s the problem with rating boards, you have to have the right size and add some good waves, before it’s a real test.
At 139 lbs., 10’ was waay too long for me, so 9’4 1/2" was better.
They just didn’t have a mid 9 in stock, and I had to go surfing!
JLW-
My ideas… Most noserider models today are basically modifications of vintage templates that have succeeded in times past, like the nuihiwa NR, performer, spoon, etc. There was a similar post before, and someone wrote along the lines that if you want a noserider, you’ll get a noserider.
Having tried many vintage boards, and modern-era boards, many of them work well. I think modern refinements have bested models of the past. most good LBers can hang five on any workable “longboard.”
But for trick noseriding on the last 12" of a board like 10s, heels over, kicks, reverse kicks, phantom 5s, and whatever else has been invented, I think many boards out there are capable. Two of my ‘present’ choices would be the Tyler Craftsman noserider and the Pearson Arrow CJ Nelson Model. Both work very well (in waist-chest high point surf). There are lighter boards that noseride just as well. It’s really the surfer that makes the difference.
…of course rail-to-rail, top-to-bottom surfing is another story. That is the opinion of 1 man.
I’m thinking of getting a Hunt Custom. The new dimension looks like a good noserider. I haven’t ridden any of Gregg’s boards but I’ve only heard good things about them. Any suggestions?
i was lookin at the tyler craftsman, then i saw the $1400 price tag , tylers boards ride and look like fine artwork. when it comes down to it, surf boards are like shoes, you gotta use what works, and fits ,best for YOU- not what other people like.
I agree with you. I have 2 craftsman NRs I bought in 1998, 1999. $700, 800 apiece when he was doing all of the work himself. They noseride good, but still leave a lot to be desired. Unfortunately, prices have increased a ton, but the reasons for that are multifactorial. Many people will still pay that amount, though, and will wait a few months, too.
I’ve tried my friend’s GHunt Imperial while visiting in SoCAL. If you like the feeling of an old school log in trim on a mellow point break, it works good. Nice glide. Try asking for a fin box, rather than a glass-on. The craftsmanship is pretty nice (resin tint with deck and tail patch) and clean. I’m not sure who does the glassing. Maybe him? I Don’t think it would work too well over here in HI more challenging conditions though.
yea the new dimension noserides really well, i have one myself. love it. noserides just as good as my pearson arrow cj nelson model, and turns better for me.
There are many things that going into making a good nose rider. I for one love my Lance Carson PowerGlide. A guy that nose rides as well as Lance(he is rated as one of the top ten nose riders of all time) and makes a board with such great craftmanship, should know how to make a good nose rider. Lance is also true to himself, he will not put out a board that is not right, and will not work. Now that said this is what I think. A nose rider should be at least 4 inches longer then your normal everyday board(mine is 6 inch longer) I do not like a concave on my boards I don’t feel that they work for what they take away. Good wide hips, soft 50/50 rails nose to tail, a little kick in the tail, but fairly flat through the nose, I like my boards to have belly in them no V. and the fin right on the tail in fact hanging over the end of the board. A big fin that is glassed on is the only way to get there. If you use a box you limit youself because of the thickness of the box will only alow you to go so far back. The middle of the board should be wider then you normal rider, infact if you can there is nothing wrong with 24 inches. The tail needs to also be wide, say 17 inchs 12 inchs up, and I like a big square tail, 7 to 7 1/2 inches. A board like this should not be your only board, because you limit yourself, to the type of waves you can ride, and the size of wave. I take my noserider out in small point break surf nothing more then head high. Oh ya I also like the CJ Nelson model by Arrow, and Gene Cooper makes a great nose rider as well. Can’t say anything nice about Tyler or any of the other boards that have been talked about since I have never rider one or even seen one. Hope this helps.
I’ve had two of the best noserider’s ever, one was a 9’6" Takayama, the other was (and is, because I still own it) a 9’6" Bruce Jones. Both are insane and both are based on the '67 Nuuhiwa (as the majority of good noseriders are…), but I think the Jones is the best I’ve ever ridden. Don’t forget the importance of skegs! I have a 9.5" Takayama skeg in my Jones and it works like a dream. It’s very hatchety but not an old school hatchet. I can’t stomach those skegs with the giant rake, they drag the tail too much and I fall behind the sweet spot.
Brandon,
Did you end up shaping a Bing Noserider? I remember you having a pretty strong interest in creating something similar in October. I may do a Bing replica around the first of the year, based on measurements I got off an old thread you participated in. Neato 50/50 rails on 'em.
Aloha,
G
I just received my big 'ol Hunt Customs New D 9’10" a few weeks ago. Its a beautiful board (excellent craftsmanship), with a big square tail, low rocker, and a rolled bottom. I’ve surfed it three times, on soft point break type waves and I dig it. It stays in the curl nicely. Its a whole lot of board, and I am having to adjust my turning and trim style, but its making me a more classic style surfer. When he says that his boards are made to be surfed with a relaxed style, hes not kidding. Everything I do on this super tanker long and drawn out. This is my first non-epoxy classic shape LB and I’m having fun with it. Now I am curious about those pintails Gregg makes.
i have a 9’0 pintail el gato and love it
If your into the Older Boards, I will second Lee’s choice for the Super Ugly- Hard to beat a 2 to 3 ft. Malibu- Next in Line was a Penetrator-
I liked your input. It seemed that everyone has their “opinion”, because obviously everyone is a little different. I guess what I learned is that there is no “best noserider” for every single person.
Luckily, I frequent a spot that has a lot of longboarders around. They sort of look at me as the legacy to longboarding in a way, so they really encourage me to continue my longboarding and become better at it. I’m sure they wouldn’t hesitate to let me try their noseriders.
