Simmons-shaped boards vs regular boards

[beached]

I've been on an L41 Simsup ST for about 6 months now, and find it difficult to get back on my regular shaped boards. They all seem so slow in comparison.  Some are actually more stable than my SIMSUP, but when it comes to performance, there is no comparison. I'm just wondering if others who own simmons-shaped boards have found the same to be true. I know some don't seem to like wide-tailed boards, but i don't understand why since they perform so much better, IMO. Now, my size and balance skills, or lack thereof, don't allow me to ride a board sub-30 in width, and maybe  those narrower boards are where performance shines..but i suspect there are many mere mortals out there like myself that just will never be comfortable on a 28" wide SUP, so the simmons shapes seem ideal for us.   

[socalgremmy]

Beached,
What are your stats and dimensions of your S5? What kind of waves are you generally surfing?
I'm riding a 8'8 Naish Hokua X32LE x 141L at 5'10" and 182#, am low intermediate.
I've been considering the L41.
Bob

[beached]

Beached,
What are your stats and dimensions of your S5? What kind of waves are you generally surfing?
I'm riding a 8'8 Naish Hokua X32LE x 141L at 5'10" and 182#, am low intermediate.
I've been considering the L41.
Bob

i don't have an S5, but rather the ST...they're different animals though I'm not sure how much different. The ST is simmons w/split tail, the S5 is Tomo w/split tail.   I'm 6'3", 200 lbs.  I've got a board similar to yours which is a carbon 8'10"*32...and everything happens in slow motion on it compared to the ST. The ST (8'4"*31) can be whipped around, the 8'10"...not so much. I'm rarely in overhead waves, but it does happen and i've yet to find conditions that the ST doesn't like. Even 2 fters can be fun with the ST.

[socalgremmy]

Beached,
Thanks for that info.
I did mean the ST; that's the one I'm considering, just need to decide what size....
By the way, you'll get a lot more replies if you open this thread on the "Gear" discussion forum.

[surf4food]

I know some don't seem to like wide-tailed boards, but i don't understand why since they perform so much better, IMO.

I've never paddled a Sims, but I imagine it's like anything else.  In the prone surf world you could ask why doesn't every one ride a shortboard (in all it's variances) because they are more responsive, duck dive better, are faster in the wave, etc.  Or you could ask why doesn't everyone ride a longboard (in all its variances).  They are more stable, catch waves easier, trim better, glide better, etc.  The same can be said for the SUP surfing world.  Factor in for both SUP and prone things like tail sizes, tail shapes, fin set ups and countless other considerations.  It really depends on not just the size and ability level of the rider but what style he/she enjoys doing. 

[beached]

surf4food, i know what you're saying but i don't think the analogy between short and long regular surf boards holds here. those are two definitive styles, but a simmons shaped board seems to do everything a regular shaped SUP board does, only better. again, maybe on a 15+ ft face a simmons board might start having trouble with the tail width...i haven't had mine out in that big (which is one reason i still own the other boards). but for the sizes i have had it out in, it always does everything better than my regular shaped boards. it's faster, glides as well, turns better, more stable given similar widths/volumes, gets thru whitewater better, catches waves better. i haven't tried riding the nose, and maybe that's an area where you're correct regards style....i imagine my SIMSUP is a bit short for that.       

[lopezwill]

  beached...sounds like you found a perfect board for your conditions.  I wouldn't sell your other boards just yet.  I love my SIMSUP in mushy smaller beach breaks and point breaks up to about head high.  The board is super stable, fast and cut backs great!  I take the same SIMSUP out at a slightly overhead reef break, breaking hard and pitching from the top and I hate the SIMSUP!  I feel like I'm on a potato chip out in the middle of the ocean.  It skitters and bounces all over the place.  The board does not work for me in those conditions.

  The thing is... the more your sup surf the more you want variety.  For larger surf heavy people should go as narrow as possible for the conditions.  The narrowness combined with a shorter board is always where the real sup surfing "Performance" will be.  I think everybody is different as far as what type of sup board they prefer.  This is a great time to be into this sport!  So many great riding sup boards out there.

  I love surfing my SIMSUP but just as much enjoy surfing the ten Foote Triton board.  I guess it comes down to what board you like sup surfing for the "Conditions" you surf the most.  Then there's that, "Variety is the spice of life thing."   

[surfinib]

I have to agree with Lopezwill. I had been SUS'ing simmons style SUPs almost exclusively for the past three years then was able to see video of myself and that changed my perspective. I still ride a SIMSUP most of the time but in the right conditions a performance shortboard SUP is what I'll ride. You can turn on rail harder and go more vertical.

[socalgremmy]

IB....as in Imperial Beach? I live in Coronado.....
Which Simsup and what is your performance short SUS board?
Just curious.

[surfinib]

Yes, I'm in IB but make it up to Coronado often. I'm making my own boards now, the simmons is based on the L41 S4 and ST. Currently riding a 7'7" version. I owned two S4s in the past. My performance board is based on the old PSH hull ripper but down sized to 8'4" for larger days.

[beached]

  beached...sounds like you found a perfect board for your conditions.  I wouldn't sell your other boards just yet. ...

no, i'm holding onto my other boards. i figure you're probably right and eventually i'll get into some conditions where my bigger standard shaped boards are better suited. i have an older larger custom simmons shaped board (8'6"*32.5") and it did that flapping/bouncing thing on some big waves last summer, so i know this shape can have limitations...i just haven't hit them yet with the L41 ST. But going narrow (for me, narrow being < 31") is just not an option.

[skibike]

I tend to agree with others on the limitations once you get overhead sized waves. But laying down a rail in smaller mushy waves aint a problem on the Sims.

[PonoBill]

I like the L41 a lot--in pitching waves to head high. I find them to be too much work in mush, and a skidding pain in the ass on bigger waves. I certainly don't consider them a quiver killer. The Foote Triton is a lot closer to that. Good in everything. Not as fast as the L41 (what is??) but it controls exactly the same from ankle high to double overhead. Fast, smooth, and quick. And very stable. I haven't had it in anything but Maui Mushburgers (well, one session at Lanes and one at Noriegas, but it was small) but I've had it out in all sizes.

Perhaps I need more time with the L41, but right now it feels very much limited to specific wave types. Loved it at Rincon, hated it at Manzanita, where I couldn't catch anything. Losing 20 pounds and keeping my knee juiced would probably help too.

[CHill]

They work if you keep it on rail

[andygere]

Everything feels slow compared to my SIMSUP, you are normal. I still ride some other shapes now and then, but I'm prepared for a different experience so it's fine.  I have found that over time I take my SIMUSUP out more in windy/choppy conditions and small conditions than I used to.  It works well in a wider variety of surf than I ever imagined it would when I had it made.