I have a bit of a quiver nowadays. I also enjoy making and surfing new boards. I can’t decide what to make next and I don’t really want to make a board for the sake of it. I was hoping for some advice. We have virtually every type of wave imaginable here other than coral reef! One feature of a lot of our reef-breaks is that they are quite powerful, but are not particularly perfect. Lots of rocks and bounce to them. I have been surfing for nearly 30 years, am 43, 5’8", 147 pounds and pretty fit for my age.
My quiver is as follows:
(All thrusters unless otherwise stated.)
5’6" X 22" Fun-board for small waves.
5’10" X 20" Fun-board for slightly less small waves. (In Aust and NZ we call a board like this a fish, but I gather that is not the case in the USA. I don’t know what to call it actually)
6’0" X 19" Shortboard
6’3" X 18&3/4 Gunny shortboard
7’0" Gun
7’4" Gun
9’2" Gun
9’6" Traditional single fin longboard.
I have thought about a step-up for between the 6’3" and the 7’0", but I find that I can ride the 6’3" in pretty big waves. Once it gets beyond 6’3" size I’m thinking more about just making the drop rather than doing turns so the 7’+ boards come into play. I have had a step-up in the past and I found that it over-complicated the surfing process.
Pretty subjective question, but looking at your quiver I’d say what jumps out at me is that 9’ 6" longboard. For your size, age and weight that sounds like a lot of board. I’d craigslist that thing and build yourself a nice 8-8 to 9 foot classic single fin longboard.
I must be fat and old. There’s no guns in my quiver. San Diego guy…Weigh in about 20-30 pounds more than you. Guess you don’t need any fish or eggs or short long boards. No gluide in your game? No funky fun stuff just more power and big tubes…
…I have alot of fun on sucky waves…with odd boards…that’s what you are missing…fun on odd days…fun with kids and women and normal people…you need to build something different, dump your ego. go boogie boarding…take a walk with a dissabled person, slow down reconnect . surfing is way bigger than the quiver you posted. Time to get out of your comfort zone. Single fins and quads will blow your mind…that’s where you need to go…Stingray
Thanks for all the advice. You guys have given me plenty to think about. My hand has been forced to a degree as I just snapped / destroyed my 6’3". I loved that board so I’m going to make another. I like the theory of a board betweeen the 6’0 and the 6’3". As Stingray suggested I reckon I’ll make a quad. A mate of mine has a sweet looking 6’1" quad that I might copy.
I’m not that keen on a 8’ longboard as I only really like to longboard when it’s really small. It’s all about the glide for me. I can ride knee height waves on my longboard which I really enjoy. As soon as it gets over waist high I usually break out the 5’10. I can’t see the point of trying to turn an 8’ board when I can pull out a 5’10" and turn easily.
By the way, all you guys in California get ready, there’s yet another dose of SSW swell coming up your way from NZ!