Just curious about something, my normal HPSB is around 6’0 to 6’2, approx 30L. For small waves I’m riding a 5’4, also 30L.
I have been very interested in getting a local shaper to make a Tomo vanguard copy, but it would be around 5’6 for 30L according to firewire. How is a 5’6 Vanguard going to feel like when taking off in steep/near-barreling overhead waves compared to the 6’0-6’2 HPSB?
I always thought the 6’0-6’2 HPSB was better suited for bigger/steeper waves than my 5’4 because the extra length of the rail gave it more stability as you during steep take-offs you have to angle your board more down the line. How does this apply to a board like the Vanguard as its supposedly a high performance board. Does rails make the 5’6 equal a 6’0-6’2 somehow?
I would ride 6’2 as a HPSB, 28ish litres. I’m no athlete… My self shape Vanguard inspired board was 5’2 x 18 x 2 3/8. Best guess is 25 litres. That was a good size, and I could have gone narrower.
My advice, is go chin high and under 18". That is DT’s recommendation. I don’t know why Firewire say a lot of the things they do…guessing they’d rather have well floated gumbies that can’t go on rail,rather than guys who shouldn’t ge riding them anyway slagging them for not paddling well??
I surfed it predominantly in steep hollow beach breaks, and it had some characteristics that made it really good. Gets in earlier than any board I’ve got, and can be wrenched into a turn mid face at any speed on basically closeout waves. It made the lack of banks around less limiting, even fun… It was amazing for tube-riding with so much drive in such a compact package. Thing about the rail line is, though it may be shorter averall, it’s very straight and you have enough at any given time to create drive whilst still being able to break track when needed. Don’t go too short!
A few guys on sway’s have gotten onto these sorts of shapes, hopefully they’ll chime in…
Chin high would be around 5’6, and volume-wise that’s pretty much where I’m at. Another design thats interesting is the Vader which 5’5. At these lengths it would seem like these boards could be a groveler as well as high-peformance? Doesn’t really make sense that a board can serve those 2 polar opposite functions.
I wouldn’t consider them as grovellers, they are pretty foiled out and have some rocker. All accounts seem to put them in the good wave category. TheVader looks awesome to me too, but I’d be thinking about it for mid range Indo.
They’re short, but 3" narrower than a sim or groveller at that length…
The board you posted look epic, I wouldn’t kick it out of bed!
