Walden Magic or Takayama

Im 5’8", about 170lbs. Do you think a 9’6 walden magic epoxy would be too big for me in beach break waves. Not too big max 4-5’.

I’m a bit below average ability and can struggle sometimes catching waves. The

The other option is a 9’4" Takayama Beachbreak?

Thanks.

Go for the Takayama

Thanks. Your help is much appreciated.

…hello; in my opinion, 23-24 wide and may be 3 thick is too much for your weight and size. Why so big? it s not necessary.
I have a customer that is 1.92 tall and 120 kg that has a 9 2 x 22 1/2 x 3 1/4 or less for good waves and a 10 4 x 22 3/4 x 3 1/4 for small waves as a tanker.
You ll have problems with the offshore winds and toobs. Then you can barely (in not so mellow conditions) turn that big volume board
Regarding the Walden pop out, the other day I saw a guy here struggling to catching (in a point break) waves with that board however a customer with an used 9 2 x 22 1/4 x 3 max 50/50s pinched on tail, low nose rocker took almost all the waves. Both have similar surfing skills; the guy in the pop out is a bit taller but same type of body than the other guy.
-Bear in mind that Takayama passed away, and for long time, like most of these, now brands, the main shaper does not shapes your board…more now that is a pop out.
Of course the design could be good, but may be if you live in coastal California, you can find great longboard shapers; real ones. Also, most these shapers, if do not laminate the boards, they send them to the best glassing shops. If you are in other markets like Aussie land, you still have some good longboard shapers, if you are in places like Japan, France, you can have big names longboards that are better than these other boards. Also I know a few shapers there than can shape you a great longboard.

Good advice, thank you.

Make your own.  You probably got as much skill on this site as most.  Design wise;  those Walden boards suck.  Takayama pop outs are usually thin and can handle most waves.  But with Donald gone they are pop-outs.  I read recently that his wife and the estate had resigned with someone to make those boards.  Can’t remember who.  Surftech or Boardworks??

If you’re 5-8 / 170#  and are stuggling on any longboard to catch waves then you need an entry-level design that’s super forgiving.   That would mean staying away from any of the specialty boards.  Really, that also means staying away from non-longboard friendly waves, too.   

Can’t really speak for Walden, but I’ve heard mostly China junk. Sold out.

Though Donald did go Surftech, many are made here in Oceanside.

Seen a factory full of 'em couple weeks ago.

I’d buy the DT.

Staying away from the waves isn’t really an option. Is that or nothing !

I was hoping to hear that the Tak Beach break was forgiving being 23.25" wide. I hope so!

I’ve seen another DT beach break, not in the flesh though. Do you have any opnions on them as a model?