Board recommendation for a big fast wave?

[wrybread]

Most of the prone paddlers at my spot wear their pfds under their wetsuits, but I think that's largely because it's a lot different to be lying on the thing. You'd want the doodads covered by something. All the SUPs just wear regular over the wetsuit pfds.

Interestingly the day before a big swell lots of folks are wearing their helmets and pfds to get used to the feel of paddling in them.

[PonoBill]

I wear float a lot now. I cut down my Gooru to leave more belly exposed, it was limiting my diaphragm movement and making it tougher to get a full breath. All too familiar with the weird vision thing. I get dark areas to the sides and foggy in front. This morning I looked down while lifting my coffee and refilled the cup from my sinuses. So I got that going for me. Freshness worth a second cup.

[Beasho]

An O'Neill Gooru under your wetsuit for example

Do you have a special wetsuit made for that?

I know it would be better under the wet suit but Can it be worn on the outside?

I am 5' 8" 180.  I  buy the XXL Short suit and it all seems to fit inside the suit. 

Looks a little goofy outside, other people do wear them like that (but who am I to judge).  Under the suit is sleek, streamlined and makes you look like Mr Incredible with abs.  The other side benefit is warmth.  Because you are wearing the vest you can get away with a thinner, less expensive suit.  I wear the following set-up regardless of size, from 2 to 20.  Beyond that I put on another life jacket.

[Subber]

About how high are you guys floating with this extra float?

I recently got a 5mm front/3mm back triathlon farmer John.
It is closed cell and really floaty.  I put a 2mm closed cell
Matuse front-zip top over it.

I float - bob - pretty high - my mouth was about 5" out of the water.
My shoulders were at least an inch, maybe two, out of the water. 

I was thinking of getting a Gooru-type vest. But maybe I don't need
it with that setup.

[Beasho]

About how high are you guys floating with this extra float?

Waterline about 2" below my shoulders sitting vertically in the water with Gooru and rib protector. 

I broke my leash last week in big conditions and it sure is nice when you are swimming in with float.  There is NO concern that you will drown.  Just take your time, turn and face the next boomer, dive under and then continue towards shore.  Low stress. 

[Dwight (DW)]

Under the wetsuit is better if you can. I've had over the wetsuit nearly ripped off. Came up with it pulled partially over my head. It was tight too. Didnt matter. Rag dolled can do amazing things.

[Beasho]

While we're on the subject, add this to the list of safety gear on big days: a whistle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0011E93XE?vs=1

The guys in the lineup are going to love me.  I have already added a camelbak, so this whistle will stow nicely. 

My other trick is to bring 2 Cutie oranges every time I surf, stuffed into my suit.  After ~ 7 waves I eat one.  It ALWAYS gives a boost.  Like a natural gel pack.  I eat the second when I think I am more than half way through the session.  People often comment "Where's the red and white table top?  Would you like a scone and coffee with that?"

[wrybread]

Awesome idea about the oranges. And camelback.

[surfinJ]

Under the wetsuit is better if you can. I've had over the wetsuit nearly ripped off. Came up with it pulled partially over my head. It was tight too. Didnt matter. Rag dolled can do amazing things.

I wear it under the suit as well.  This summer while getting drilled in only the gooru and shorties I had the same experience, terrible. It was half pulled off over my head and I'm under water trying to get up. I now pull a loose fit Lycra surf shirt over it, so far no repeats.

I broke my leash last week in big conditions and it sure is nice when you are swimming in with float.   

Do you have a solution for the paddle?  I recently had a long swim that was considerably longer due to the paddle carrying hampering my stroke.

I read of little paddle leash that you attach when needed and just then just swim in pulling it along.

[Tom]

Under the wetsuit is better if you can. I've had over the wetsuit nearly ripped off. Came up with it pulled partially over my head. It was tight too. Didnt matter. Rag dolled can do amazing things.

I wear it under the suit as well.  This summer while getting drilled in only the gooru and shorties I had the same experience, terrible. It was half pulled off over my head and I'm under water trying to get up. I now pull a loose fit Lycra surf shirt over it, so far no repeats.

I broke my leash last week in big conditions and it sure is nice when you are swimming in with float.   

It has a couple of eyelets that you can use to attach to your boardshorts.

[mrbig]

I picked up a Gooru for a slightly different reason. After the dfib box was installed I was nervous about prone paddling out. Used it all summer and enjoyed the extra float.

Have used it in bigger surf and it sure is nice to float and bob around and BREATHE after going for a swim..

[PonoBill]

Do you have a solution for the paddle?  I recently had a long swim that was considerably longer due to the paddle carrying hampering my stroke.

I read of little paddle leash that you attach when needed and just then just swim in pulling it along.

Add a loop to your boardshorts to push the handle through. If you put the loop on the side the paddle doesn't interfere with kick. You can also use the key loop in the pocket of most shorts or even just the laces for the shorts to tie the paddle to you. Works OK. Better than my old method of shoving the handle through my shorts.

A loop on a wetsuit can be added by anyone adept with a sewing machine or just use a needle and thread. A dab of Shoe Goo on the thread keeps the neoprene from tearing. Or use an NSI flexible loop and just stick it on. That glue sticks to anything as long as it's dry.

[wrybread]

Boardshorts? What's that? Is that some sort of wetsuit undergarment?

Just kidding.

+1 on it being super nice to have floatation on those long swims. I've been trying to hone a sidestroke with my paddle out in front held by the front arm, with the blade upside down and holding me up. Works ok but still sloooow.

[wrybread]

Well another day another broken leash. Had to swim all the way in and for a moment I thought I lost my new board!

Anyway was talking to one of the super badasses at my break today and he had a good point about wearing his pfd under his wetsuit: it catches less water that way. No parachute effect.

I was wearing my kayak pfd today for the first time, which is a bit floatier than I'd like, and it had me pretty paranoid about getting caught inside since it's so hard to get under them. So I was staying way wide of the crowd. And of course the moment I paddled in front of the crowd a cleanup set came and sure enough dragged me much farther than usual. Oh well, at least everyone else got dragged too.

Anyway, wondering if anyone has found a pfd that's good for surfing? For me that would mean:

- not a lot of straps

- not too floaty

- black

- maybe fits under a wetsuit

[PonoBill]

I haven't seen anything that's perfect, but the Da Kine vest looks pretty good. It looks especially good on the lovely Brazillian charger whose name I forget. If I wasn't thirty years older than her (Hmmm, probably forty) I'd certainly remember it better.  Zipper in the front, which is great for a little cleavage, but that may not be what you're looking for Wry.