Standup Zone Forum
Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: ODJ on June 05, 2019, 01:28:55 PM
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Getting back into surfing. Live in Northern CA, Bay Area now. Will mostly surf at Bolinas which is small, beach break, low energy most of the time. 43 years old, 190lbs (probably 200lbs with the wetsuit, etc.) and fit. I used to surf in Southern California; Oceanside Hsarbor, Sunset Cliffs, Boneyards..started on a 10'6 King's Knight years ago, the a 9'6 David Craig, then a 9'2 David Craig, 9'0 Tim Stamps and an 8'11 King's Crossover. Haven't surfed in a few years due to living in landlocked states, but have a 14' Bark Dominator I paddle in the bay, harbors, lakes, etc.
Looking for something that isn't necessarily high performance, but also don't want a log. Would be nice to find something in the middle so to speak, that would be good for the small, mushy, low energy days but also would still perform adequately for the occasional bigger day. Don't need anything super aggressive, not doing crazy cutbacks and slashing turns, but would be nice to drop in, make nice bottom turns and carve a little down the line. These days it's more about catching waves and having fun for me.
Checked out a few boards at a local shop today:
Jimmy Lewis Kwad 9'7 (154L)
Jimmy Lewis Hanalei10'8 (160L)
Starboard Widepoint 9'5 (153L)
All of these boards seemed a big big for me and what I used to ride, but these were the recommendations from the shop after a pretty length discussion about my experience and the break(s) I'd be riding out here. Their top recommendation was the 10'8 Jimmy Lewis Hanalei, but it seems like a pretty dated design. Also seems like a massive board, but they swear it's a very maneuverable and fun board. Haven't ridden a surf SUP that big since I started started SUP 8 years ago or so, and have always gone smaller and smaller as I got better, but I also don't have access to the types of breaks I used to surf in SoCal, and I'm older as well. Thoughts and suggestions on a board for a guy my size who's getting back into surfing but really only has access to some pretty mellow beach breaks?
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What's the used market look like up there?
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What's the used market look like up there?
I've been checking Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and this site, and it's slim pickings. Mostly just junk Chinese boards, generic cruiser boards, no-name garbage, etc.
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How about a custom off kirk at l41?
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I like my kwad, fun and easy board. Gutless waves where I live too.
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The Jimmy Lewis Destroyer, otherwise only available in Australia can, with a little effort, be obtained by us north american continent types.
https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=34394.0
More nose rocker than the Striker, which appeals to me. And it has great reviews.
https://jimmylewisboards.com.au/collections/surf-sups/products/jl-destroyer-sup-new
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I like my kwad, fun and easy board. Gutless waves where I live too.
What size Kwad do you ride and what's your weight if you don't mind me asking. Thanks!
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I like this board a lot and the price is right. I'm at 215 and 63. I've surfed it in everything for the last 12 months. With a quiver of fins it can ride in almost everything you would be surfing. I sup surf down south from you near Morro Bay. I have the Carbon 9'10' model and would recommend it.
https://snowdealsnow.com/collections/featured/products/laird-hamilton-stand-up-surrator-paddle-board-sup-2017-msrp-2000?variant=13744863182893
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I sent an email to L41 explaining my background and needs. Seems though like their boards are more high performance oriented, and geared more toward shorter lengths (aside from the traditional longboard shape, which looks similar to the JL Hanalei). I have nothing against Jimmy Lewis boards. I know their construction is second to none and pretty bombproof and way more durable than a lot of other factory-made boards, while still being very light in comparison. I just think the shapes are a bit dated, specially the Hanalei the shop kept suggesting, but really, what do I know? I've been out of the SUP surf loop for several years, plus it;'s marketed as a cruising board that will also surf. Doesn't really seem like it's what I'm looking for, but again, they guy at the shop swore it was a shop employee favorite for all surfing conditions, even bigger days. I've just always gone shorter as I progressed, and going to a 10'4 or 10'8 seems counterintuitive. But then again, I don't have the luxury of having a ton if different breaks to surf and when I'll be going mostly isn't known for very big surf, so maybe the longer, more traditional shape would work. I just don't want to get a shorter, super-performance oriented board that is a dog on smaller days. I always wondered why some guys go out on these minuscule boards on small days and hardly catch anything and work ridiculously hard when you could have just gone out on a prone longboard and had a blast.
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Looking for something that isn't necessarily high performance, but also don't want a log. Would be nice to find something in the middle so to speak, that would be good for the small, mushy, low energy days but also would still perform adequately for the occasional bigger day.
A 10' Fanatic Stylemaster might be perfect for you. It leans toward performance longboard but you can still get classic with it. I'm about your weight and it's my go to board. I still dust off my 9'6" JL Black and Blue and I'm still trying to find my way on my Infinity 10' New Deal, both fun and excellent boards, just not as forgiving as the Fanatic.
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ODJ,
As a 43 year old, at 190 lbs and fit.... you will be right back where you were in no time.
Don't sell yourself short.... your still a kid!
I spent some time looking at Bolina's surf vids to see what you will be working with..... there looks like plenty of fun waves up there!
Boards have evolved greatly since your last round, so some "rules" have changed.
New shapes rip in comfortable sizes.
Judging from your progression towards shorter, in SoCal.....
I'd say, no need to go too big, unless you now desire the ride of a longer board.
I am 71 yo and 230 lbs.
My "goto" board is 9'4 x 32 at 148 L
it rips in everything from low power 2' chop to DOH and juicy.
Sometimes I love a big board.... but I mostly surf my 9'4 or my 9'0 @ 133 L.... they covered everything on my Portugal trip this winter.
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Good stuff Rick! Yes, 43 is very young indeed...
This might be as good place to ask as any, when will you be passing through Jim K's place (you da kine, Extreme Windsurfing in AC) for demos this year?
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ODJ,
As a 43 year old, at 190 lbs and fit.... you will be right back where you were in no time.
Don't sell yourself short.... your still a kid!
I spent some time looking at Bolina's surf vids to see what you will be working with..... there looks like plenty of fun waves up there!
Boards have evolved greatly since your last round, so some "rules" have changed.
New shapes rip in comfortable sizes.
Judging from your progression towards shorter, in SoCal.....
I'd say, no need to go too big, unless you now desire the ride of a longer board.
I am 71 yo and 230 lbs.
My "goto" board is 9'4 x 32 at 148 L
it rips in everything from low power 2' chop to DOH and juicy.
Sometimes I love a big board.... but I mostly surf my 9'4 or my 9'0 @ 133 L.... they covered everything on my Portugal trip this winter.
I really appreciate this reply! I was thinking along the same lines, like something 9'2-9'6 with the right amount of volume would be a good all-around for me.
@Bean - I checked out the Fanatic Stylemaster. Definitely looks like a very fun board, but definitely a traditional longboard design. I quickly checked out the Fanatic Allwave though, ,and from the specs and videos I've seen it may be exactly what I'm looking for. the 9'0 Allwave is 159L, keeping in mind that I've for sure had lower volume boards in the past, but the added volume would be appreciated on the smaller days. But Ive also had "shorter" boards with a bunch of volume backed into them and found them feeling too buoyant and corky, then I catch myself thinking a more longboard style board would be better just to maximize wave count and fun factor.
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Maybe check out the Steeze?
I'm 53, 210 and have only really been surfing on a regular basis for a year and have a limited amount session access here and it's an easy fun ride.
Really versatile; rides mush, nose rides, small stuff, you can turn it off the tail or be more glidey like I often have to in the low power stuff around here. Wouldn't hesitate to take in larger either.
9-6 145 liters
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...I checked out the Fanatic Stylemaster. Definitely looks like a very fun board, but definitely a traditional longboard design.
The outline and rocker are classic longboard, but the rails, especially toward the tail are fairly aggressive which gives the board speed off the tail and plenty of bite in the wave. It is a shade faster (but less maneuverable) than the New Deal.
The Steeze also does look like it would fit the bill.
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I like my kwad, fun and easy board. Gutless waves where I live too.
What size Kwad do you ride and what's your weight if you don't mind me asking. Thanks!
I am 170 on 9.1 kwad - this is my go to board for windy choppy bs waves we have on the gulf coast.
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I love my Sunova Steeze. Its 8'10" at 125liters. Also, check out the Sunova Creek. Lots of talk on that one.
I've only been surfing (or SUPing) for 18 months. I am in a new york city surfer that only knows a beach break, 51yo at 195+ pounds without wetsuit. I surf on the 8'10" Steeze, and boy it catches a lot of mush. I had an 8'10" allwave, and find it corky and slow now. It took me 5 outings or so to get the balance in chop, but overall I love it.
One other that I was looking into was the Jimmy Lewis SuperFrank, or his new SUP board the Destroyer.
Here is a long review / posting about the Steeze, (which also talks about the jimmy lewis Striker and some other similar shapes.) https://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Sunova-8-10--Steeze---Review?page=1&groupID=10070736
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have you looked at the infinity new deal or the RNB.
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+1 for the Infinity RNB. After reading your initial post the RNB might be a really good fit. Versatile design, good in small stuff,capable in big stuff, and their construction can't be beat....lightest carbon construction that is still impressively durable. Oh, and I have no connection to Infinity...at all....except that I have a couple of them.
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https://monterey.craigslist.org/spo/d/monterey-stand-up-paddle-board/6881415749.html
There's a few options on craigs list but you might have to expand the geographic search
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^ That Monterey CL board is a Bill Foote board... well respected. Maybe Pono B knows the board. But at that price (or $350 : ) you might discover a real gem. The outline looks good.
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^ +1
I would pick that up just because.
Does seems like a perfect match
For the op. Good find.
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https://monterey.craigslist.org/spo/d/monterey-stand-up-paddle-board/6881415749.html
There's a few options on craigs list but you might have to expand the geographic search
Just sent an email to the seller. Waiting to hear back.
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bottom paint might indicate a buckle repair--check it
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From memory and I could be wrong
I believe that paddlesurf warehouse did a run of foote boards before they started
Vesl
I think this was the small shape... this looks like it’s hardly used, I would’ve picked it up but I am having a new roof put on my house. I hope you get it
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https://monterey.craigslist.org/spo/d/monterey-stand-up-paddle-board/6881415749.html
There's a few options on craigs list but you might have to expand the geographic search
Just sent an email to the seller. Waiting to hear back.
ODJ
I used to live in the Outer Richmond and surfed Bolinas a lot (Pre-Sup Mid 2000's time frame)
Now living out east, I always thought that was a perfect Sup wave looking back. I was always on a fish or longboard there. Many times 'hiding' when Ocean Beach was too nutso with size / wind.
As an avid Sup and Surfer now, about your age and a little heavier- I really think the Steeze, Destroyer, Super Frank, RNB style shapes would excel there.
enough volume in the nose to get you into relatively early (In the rolling waves there) But good tail dims to grab a bottom turn or two and still trim, and get a cutback every once in a while.
That said, I've only ridden the Steeze and owned an RNB I think you'd be pleased with both. I think the RNB will cost you more as a custom. But in the long run as you advance will get you further with it, and be able to use it in bigger waves without sacrificing glide into mushier ones.
Was the shop you were looking at the Jimmy Lewis Boards in San Rafael? They seem to favor Jimmy Lewis Boards. (Very nice guys and knowledgeable however- I visited last year)
NJS
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If you do end up with interest in the RNB, check out their stock, carbon models. They are amazingly light and still strong, I am impressed with them, and I've owned/own a bunch.
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My 8'5" RNB is light and bomber! And has 133 liters!
Works in slop and juicier waves..
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The RNB looks like a really nice board and could fit the bill. The New Deal although a "performance longboard" shape, still looks like it rips, and may be a better match for the smaller, gutless days but would still be a fine board in bigger surf. Decisions, decisions...
I messaged Kirk at L41 and got a quick response. His boards look fantastic, but I really think I'm more of a thruster guy, and his shapes seem to favor more od a fish/simmons/quad setup. Still great looking boards though.
Sent Infinity a message asking their advice on the RNB and The New Deal. I did have Infinity make me a custom race board a few years ago and it was a great experience.
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I'm in the same boat as you, been looking hard at a few boards myself, but i got a few years on you 54 ;) I was thinking real hard on the Infinity wide aquatic its a 10'4 x 32 board, going to demo one in the next week had my heart set on a 9'6 new deal but I'm just getting into sup surfing and that might be a little advanced for me right now. I live in south OC so Infinity shop isn't far. My problem is I don't want to buy a board now and decide I want a shorter one in a few months.
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@ SouthCounty
That is a very nice looking Infinity Wide Aquatic 10' x 32" sup. I'll have to go over to the Infinity site and check it out in more detail.
Thanks for posting the picture of it.
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That Wide Aquatic is a nice looking board, but looks a little more cruiser/general purpose, and not fully designed for surfing. Looking for something a little more performance oriented/surf specific.
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its actually 10'4 its a true surf shape, but more the since in S type turns kinda cruiser mode, Want performance look at the new deal
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Infinity used to have less bulky, more performance model called the “Carver” which the Wide Aquatic was upscaled from. They still have the Carver template and can still produce them in basically whatever dims suits you. You can see the Carver in older Infinity catalogs (maybe '15 or '16 ?). It's kind of old school-ish like the JL Hanalei, but less so. Just another option... to add to your list.
https://issuu.com/infinitysurf./docs/infinity_sup_catalog2016_issuu
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The longest RNB production board is 8'8" and 142 liters.
I have the 8'5" which is 133. Works in one foot works in DOH. Stable as a dory. Worth a demo if
you don't need the length, but need width for stability.
Story of "Crash" Biggie..LOL! 😎🤣
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That Wide Aquatic is a nice looking board, but looks a little more cruiser/general purpose, and not fully designed for surfing. Looking for something a little more performance oriented/surf specific.
Well, I went to the Infinity site to look at the 10'4" Wide Aquatic. The specs for this board left out one item, it's thickness. The thickness was not listed. So I had to so some leg work and it took me quite a while to find the thickness which I found in a video. This board's specs are 10'4" x 32" x 4.75" @ 183 liters. I never could find the weight of this board, but a phone call will have to be order to find that.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptcy-oV9LAQ
Also, I did find a video showing it does surf. The video is a year old so the board in this video is most likely a 2018 year model since the grip handle is not the same as it is on the 2019 model. And I can't tell if the board is the 10'4" or the 10'8".
https://vimeo.com/250162968
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My 10 4 is 24 lbs without the fins. According to Infinity the bigger one a pound heavier.
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It’s interesting, I’ve emailed a few shapers explaining my experience, and almost of all the boards I’ve owned in the past, and explaining my current needs and the type of break I’ll be riding the board at 90% of the time. I explained that although I’ve ridden pretty short boards for my size in the past, I don’t really have the luxury of riding at really nice breaks anymore and need a bird that would do well in smaller, lower energy waves.
Seems like everyone who has replied has just suggested the shortest possible bird stating that I should be fine with it for my ability, experience, apparently discounting anything I wrote about the type of wave I’d be surfing. Sure, I’m competent surfing an 8’2 or 8’6, but if the size and energy isn’t there with the wave, what’s the point of riding a much shorter board?
Sorry for the rant, but I figured writing and including as much I got as possible would help but seems like most of the shapers ignore all that stuff.
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Its not just shapers. Listening is a skill not everyone prioritizes.
Here are a couple of boards brought to you by confirmed big cruise-y turn guy Tom Carroll, and credible shaper Blane Chambers. Both boards are big enough and flattish enough to capture low energy, but performance shaped enough to turn. One more than the other.
9'6 x 32 x 141L
https://shop.surfindustries.com/us/surf/stand-up-paddle-boards/surf-sup/tom-carroll-paddle-surf-loose-leaf-v2-cx-sup/
10 x 32 x 152L
https://shop.surfindustries.com/us/surf/stand-up-paddle-boards/all-rounder/tom-carroll-outer-reef-mx/
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Here are a couple of boards brought to you by confirmed big cruise-y turn guy Tom Carroll, and credible shaper Blane Chambers. Both boards are big enough and flattish enough to capture low energy, but performance shaped enough to turn. One more than the other.
9'6 x 32 x 141L
https://shop.surfindustries.com/us/surf/stand-up-paddle-boards/surf-sup/tom-carroll-paddle-surf-loose-leaf-v2-cx-sup/
I was thinking about that Loose leaf as well, I have it on my list for a main board. Similar requirement as OP.
TC was very deliberate about stating the added glide for a performance board at that size.
This design Seems to check those boxes: Wide point forward, Relaxed entry rocker, reasonable volume and promising rails.
Looking for action videos of the bigger sizes. All I've seen was TC on the 8' which is a joy to look at but science fiction to me ;D
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I like TC boards and great shape and in my opinion, they're not designed to be a stable board to stand still but the rather high-performance board. I've seen a few guys here rips on them from longboard to shortboard.
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https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/910-x-33-turbo-2019.html
ODJ. Just curious what you think of this shape?
Also there is a 9/4
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https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/910-x-33-turbo-2019.html
ODJ. Just curious what you think of this shape?
Also there is a 9/4
Looks like a great shape, but if we’re being honest, those graphics are pretty bad.
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https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/910-x-33-turbo-2019.html
ODJ. Just curious what you think of this shape?
Also there is a 9/4
Looks like a great shape, but if we’re being honest, those graphics are pretty bad.
Agreed. Those graphics are hard to stomach imo, but Robert has some good boards
In his collection. Good price points and easy delivery.
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https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/910-x-33-turbo-2019.html
ODJ. Just curious what you think of this shape?
Also there is a 9/4
Looks like a great shape, but if we’re being honest, those graphics are pretty bad.
Agreed. Those graphics are hard to stomach imo, but Robert has some good boards
In his collection. Good price points and easy delivery.
I have to agree as well. Nice looking shapes but the graphics are a bit of a turn off.
I prefer a clean looking board with solid colors and small graphics. I'm tired of the wood veneer look and carbon fiber should never be seen.
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https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/910-x-33-turbo-2019.html
ODJ. Just curious what you think of this shape?
Also there is a 9/4
Looks like a great shape, but if we’re being honest, those graphics are pretty bad.
Agreed. Those graphics are hard to stomach imo, but Robert has some good boards
In his collection. Good price points and easy delivery.
I have to agree as well. Nice looking shapes but the graphics are a bit of a turn off.
I prefer a clean looking board with solid colors and small graphics. I'm tired of the wood veneer look and carbon fiber should never be seen.
I’m ok with wood veneers and actually don’t mind the carbon look. It’s the cheesy graphics that are a turnoff for me. You’d never see a high end surfboard with graphics like that and to me it just looks kook-ish.
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...to me it just looks kook-ish.
It’s a pure speculation but maybe that’s their strategy to confuse the lineup
And keep everyone away. I’d pay good money for a feature like that ;D
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...to me it just looks kook-ish.
It’s a pure speculation but maybe that’s their strategy to confuse the lineup
And keep everyone away. I’d pay good money for a feature like that ;D
If the marketing strategy is to keep people from buying their birds...it’s working. I hate to be superficial, but I’m not going to pay good money for a board that looks cheesy.