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Stand Up Paddle => Gear Talk => Topic started by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 01:24:30 PM

Title: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 01:24:30 PM
Hi guys

I will keep this short- 36 yo- 6'1 95kg.

SUP surf for the past 5 years. UK waves. Reasonable power but not Hawaiian or Portugal power.

Ended up on a 7'8 111L JP slate. Zero glide. So tippy it was hard work. Far lower wave count. Spent most of my time sitting in the line-up. Have a performance shortboard of similar tippyness


So- it's sold- and I want to return to the things that I loved about SUP

high wave count
glide
sufficient stability to paddle for 2-3 hours even in chop with occasional sitting
ability to cruise the line up


I am prepared to compromise a little on most of the above for a board that turns nicely.

In my head- something around 9' 29" and 125-135L sounds a nice balance. A decent performance rail and tail and one that diesnt need monster steep waves to work well. Sadly- this profile seems quite rare to me. With most sups either being

Much higher volume for beginners usually achieved by making them v wide
Much shorter for easy slashing skiddy turns

Any suggestions would be excellent thanks. Hopefully I'm missing a peach of a board!
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: burchas on November 14, 2020, 01:50:13 PM
2 options in your range:

Gong fsp pro https://www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-sup-nfa-fsp-pro/

Jimmy Lewis Kwad https://jimmylewis.com/shop/kwad-3/

And one that is spot on: SIC Slice: https://sicmaui.com/boards/slice-stand-up-paddle/slice-9-0.html
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: Califoilia on November 14, 2020, 02:07:38 PM
My favorite SUP board was a Corran Retro (7’8″ x 30″ x 4.4″ @ 119ltr - which he no longer makes) that I rode at your size ....
(https://i.imgur.com/IX38LH4.jpg)
But any mini-Simmons shaped SUPs (L41 S4 (https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=26669.0), King's Simmons (https://www.kingspaddlesports.com/collections/boards/products/simmons-kings-custom), Infinity Phoenix...) short, wide and thick would all work IMO.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: PonoBill on November 14, 2020, 03:01:43 PM
simmonds shapes permit short boards without a lot of tippiness, but they don't glide. I'd say go a little longer than what you are considering. I have a 9' Foote SUP that I pretty much quit using when i got my 10'4" Foote. I liked slashing around on the 9'0" and went to ever smaller fins to make the rear end skid, but the 10'4" turns almost as well, gets out to the lineup in a hurry and lets me get over whitewater that I couldn't do with any of my other boards.

If you've stopped having fun then I'd say make a fairly big jump to get back all the stuff you loved about SUP. Maybe not to 10'4, but I'd probably consider something intended for intermediate/expert surfers in the 9.5 to 10' range. Jimmy Lewis' qwads are really fun boards, I rode one of the 9'11" onces and liked it enough to comtemplate buying one. Then I got hooked on foiling.

It's highly unlikely you can find one, but Bill Foote's 10' X 29" production board simply rocks. It tunrs like it's a 9' or less and can be turned from anywhere on the board. Great glide, lots of speed.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 03:23:42 PM
2 options in your range:

Gong fsp pro https://www.gong-galaxy.com/en/product/gong-sup-nfa-fsp-pro/

Jimmy Lewis Kwad https://jimmylewis.com/shop/kwad-3/

And one that is spot on: SIC Slice: https://sicmaui.com/boards/slice-stand-up-paddle/slice-9-0.html

Hi thanks for the info

Gong FSB- looks like it has quite a lot of volume up front for the option of nose riding. Perhaps a bit too much IMO. if that nose was a bit more pulled in the 9' would be v tempting.

I have owned a cruise control and a Stun gun. The latter was useless in all but the steep powerful waves. But the Kwad looks suitable actually based on the shape. My only reservation would be it's an old dated shape now. Plus will be very rare in the UK.

The SIC Slice is also v rare but I will look into it more. SICs first attempt but perhaps they have cracked it ? Not sure how well thought of it is  ?
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 03:24:55 PM
My favorite SUP board was a Corran Retro (7’8″ x 30″ x 4.4″ @ 119ltr - which he no longer makes) that I rode at your size ....
(https://i.imgur.com/IX38LH4.jpg)
But any mini-Simmons shaped SUPs (L41 S4 (https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php?topic=26669.0), King's Simmons (https://www.kingspaddlesports.com/collections/boards/products/simmons-kings-custom), Infinity Phoenix...) short, wide and thick would all work IMO.

They all look like traditionally shaped alternatives to tommo style boards- but no glide and probably still quite hard work. Will see if they have any other models thanks.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 03:28:30 PM
simmonds shapes permit short boards without a lot of tippiness, but they don't glide. I'd say go a little longer than what you are considering. I have a 9' Foote SUP that I pretty much quit using when i got my 10'4" Foote. I liked slashing around on the 9'0" and went to ever smaller fins to make the rear end skid, but the 10'4" turns almost as well, gets out to the lineup in a hurry and lets me get over whitewater that I couldn't do with any of my other boards.

If you've stopped having fun then I'd say make a fairly big jump to get back all the stuff you loved about SUP. Maybe not to 10'4, but I'd probably consider something intended for intermediate/expert surfers in the 9.5 to 10' range. Jimmy Lewis' qwads are really fun boards, I rode one of the 9'11" onces and liked it enough to comtemplate buying one. Then I got hooked on foiling.

It's highly unlikely you can find one, but Bill Foote's 10' X 29" production board simply rocks. It tunrs like it's a 9' or less and can be turned from anywhere on the board. Great glide, lots of speed.

Ah thanks Pono.

I have read good things about the Foote before. But I don't think they are avaliable in the UK. If they are I have never heard or seen them. shame they sound great.

I will have a proper look for a Kwad as you're the second person to recommend one :)

I think you're right- a sizeable jump to 9'+ is sensible!

Thanks
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: Califoilia on November 14, 2020, 03:44:11 PM
...but no glide and probably still quite hard work.
True, but once you learn where/how to get in the wave later it's not an issue and I didn't lose wave count compared to my 8'6"s and 9'6" Laird LB, just a different entry. But being able to throw around the shorter board in weaker surf ("UK waves. Reasonable power but not Hawaiian or Portugal power") is so fun, and when "I am prepared to compromise a little on most of the above for a board that turns nicely", my old Retro came to mind.

Although I do have to admit that the lil Retro might have been a rare find back in the day, because I did try an Infinity pop-out when Boardworks was making them for them and it was pretty doggy. But I attributed that to the pop-out version, because I had seen Dave Boehne toss it around a locally glassed one in some SanO "knee high and firing" mush, and has no problem gliding into the measly stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwGgU84eOg

Paddling either of them was never a problem, and not really much work in even in the worst conditions...IIRC, it's been several years now since I've been on a SUP once I got the foil bug. :o

But nonetheless, everyone has personal preference in their individual SUP surf styles, so if the MS's shapes aren't for you they aren't for you. Good luck in your search. :)
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: Beasho on November 14, 2020, 04:05:46 PM
I never SUP and rarely let my friends SUP anymore.  But when I do its on a Sunova Acid 9' 1".

Thanks to SupTheCreek and Eastbound it is my go-to SUP on the East Coast of US - New England (sorry not Old England).  Great Volume.  It glides well enough to catch waves better than the long haired old guys on their laydown boards AND turns quite well. 

It is a Production Board that you can likely find somewhere.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hk6i-ozXGI

Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: BigZ on November 14, 2020, 05:06:55 PM
Hi guys

I will keep this short- 36 yo- 6'1 95kg.

SUP surf for the past 5 years. UK waves. Reasonable power but not Hawaiian or Portugal power.

Ended up on a 7'8 111L JP slate. Zero glide. So tippy it was hard work. Far lower wave count. Spent most of my time sitting in the line-up. Have a performance shortboard of similar tippyness


So- it's sold- and I want to return to the things that I loved about SUP

high wave count
glide
sufficient stability to paddle for 2-3 hours even in chop with occasional sitting
ability to cruise the line up


I am prepared to compromise a little on most of the above for a board that turns nicely.

In my head- something around 9' 29" and 125-135L sounds a nice balance. A decent performance rail and tail and one that diesnt need monster steep waves to work well. Sadly- this profile seems quite rare to me. With most sups either being

Much higher volume for beginners usually achieved by making them v wide
Much shorter for easy slashing skiddy turns

Any suggestions would be excellent thanks. Hopefully I'm missing a peach of a board!

Must be this particular board. For sure not the volume. I am 6’4 106kg and at least two decades older than you. My go to board for small waves is 8’4 x 30 x 120 liters custom. Can catch anything over and including knee high. Don’t look at the volume. Get the right shape. My bigger wave boards are higher volume but different shape.


 
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 11:35:12 PM
...but no glide and probably still quite hard work.
True, but once you learn where/how to get in the wave later it's not an issue and I didn't lose wave count compared to my 8'6"s and 9'6" Laird LB, just a different entry. But being able to throw around the shorter board in weaker surf ("UK waves. Reasonable power but not Hawaiian or Portugal power") is so fun, and when "I am prepared to compromise a little on most of the above for a board that turns nicely", my old Retro came to mind.

Although I do have to admit that the lil Retro might have been a rare find back in the day, because I did try an Infinity pop-out when Boardworks was making them for them and it was pretty doggy. But I attributed that to the pop-out version, because I had seen Dave Boehne toss it around a locally glassed one in some SanO "knee high and firing" mush, and has no problem gliding into the measly stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFwGgU84eOg

Paddling either of them was never a problem, and not really much work in even in the worst conditions...IIRC, it's been several years now since I've been on a SUP once I got the foil bug. :o

But nonetheless, everyone has personal preference in their individual SUP surf styles, so if the MS's shapes aren't for you they aren't for you. Good luck in your search. :)

Nice video. That board does look great fun. It looks like a fish style shortboard approach for weaker waves. My JP slate was a TOMMO alternative for the same conditions. It was certainly fun- just hard work.

You're dead right- they catch waves well if you're in the right position. 2 strokes and youre on the wave. Which I learnt (wellish!) having used it as my main board for 18 months. But if the water wasn't smooth- unless i had been in lots recently- I spent much more time kneeling. Wind is a problem in the UK and really glassy days are rare.

I may well still add a board like you suggest to my quiver- I can see their place. But IMO it's a board I will use 10% of the time. I probably wouldn't go in the water on a knee-waist high day. Not unless I was passing for work anyway or desperate to get in! :) But I'm bored of the Tommo shapes so I may look at that shape next if a cheap one comes along. 
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 11:38:23 PM
I never SUP and rarely let my friends SUP anymore.  But when I do its on a Sunova Acid 9' 1".

Thanks to SupTheCreek and Eastbound it is my go-to SUP on the East Coast of US - New England (sorry not Old England).  Great Volume.  It glides well enough to catch waves better than the long haired old guys on their laydown boards AND turns quite well. 

It is a Production Board that you can likely find somewhere

V interesting thanks. My custom acid is 8'8 but 12L lower than yours. Man I would love another 10L in mine. It would allow me to handle it in less smooth conditions.

My only prob with my acid is it does not like fat waves. Does yours ? I believe this is a shape issue as much as volume.

But addition another 10L to mine would be great. It's a good point- I will try and go up a size on the acid to make life easier. But I think I will still need a board of similar dimensions with a different tail shape to handle the weaker fatter waves we get here. :)
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 14, 2020, 11:41:29 PM

Must be this particular board. For sure not the volume. I am 6’4 106kg and at least two decades older than you. My go to board for small waves is 8’4 x 30 x 120 liters custom. Can catch anything over and including knee high. Don’t look at the volume. Get the right shape. My bigger wave boards are higher volume but different shape.

that does sound a nice board! At 30" wide it probably is quite stable actually. There are boards of that sort of dimension here which could work. I would happily trade a bit of width for some extra length to give me a bit more glide- but that movement to a longer board with more volume is def moving in the right direction for me :)
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: surfinJ on November 15, 2020, 12:40:00 AM
So I wanted an Acid that was customed up in volume a tad bit to yield less a diva board to one that could be a trusted daily driver.
I am just under your size at 85kg.  The board is 9-2x31 129l. My diva short sup is
28 wide and 120l so I was into the comfort and ease of use here. 
This was a gutless and fat kind of day.  No issues here.
https://vimeo.com/448348374
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: devon_sup_surf on November 15, 2020, 02:34:58 AM
Interesting SurfinJ. My acid certainly doesn't like the fatter waves but that could be because it's customised and on my limit volume wise ?

I have found myself looking at some of the starboard Pros- 9' 29" and 125-128L is v tempting.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: daswusup on November 15, 2020, 07:02:35 AM
If you really want glide and turn blown out everyday crap into amazing conditions, start foiling. Its like being reborn into a better world. I sup occasionally these days and I hear what you are saying about the magic being lost. I think many zoners went through the same "evolution". I love my Colin Mcphilips 9'6" X 28". It's a longboard shape. Happy board hunting!
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: BigZ on November 15, 2020, 07:19:16 AM

Must be this particular board. For sure not the volume. I am 6’4 106kg and at least two decades older than you. My go to board for small waves is 8’4 x 30 x 120 liters custom. Can catch anything over and including knee high. Don’t look at the volume. Get the right shape. My bigger wave boards are higher volume but different shape.

that does sound a nice board! At 30" wide it probably is quite stable actually. There are boards of that sort of dimension here which could work. I would happily trade a bit of width for some extra length to give me a bit more glide- but that movement to a longer board with more volume is def moving in the right direction for me :)

Since you mentioned Starboard, I also have Starboard Pro 8'10x29x130. A very nice board but requires a little bit better waves to appreciate it. I use it when the waves are waist or better.



Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: Hail SUPn on November 15, 2020, 07:24:02 AM
Sunova Steeze is a great all around board. It’s got glide, stability, turnability, and versatility! In bigger waves I run my as a 2+1 with a smaller center. In smaller waves I run it as a single. There is a 8’10 x 30 @125L version. https://sunovasurfboards.com/en/sup/sup-surfing/steeze
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: marvinhecht on December 06, 2020, 11:23:58 AM
Hey devon_sup_surf,

You had mentioned in my thread on that 2019 Naish that you regretted going to small, so I am reading this entire post and looking up all of the boards others mention. Not sure if you decided on anything yet, but I like the guy who suggested to consider SUP foiling instead, as a way to have fun in crappy surf. I'm thinking along the same lines also, and 2 friends who are just gettting into foiling: one with a Blue Planet SUP surf foil, and one with Slingshot 3-in-1 foil (SUP surf, free wing, windsurf foiling). I've also researching boards that I could throw my fins on and use a Surf SUP on really good days (albeit a very short and boxy one), and stick a foil on during crappy days, such as the Starboard HyperNut 4-in-1. If I'm serious I'll need to stop foilin' around and go check out the foiling forum.. :)
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: OkiWild on December 14, 2020, 08:12:26 PM
I'll just add my ¥2 about my journey with size.

I'm 51, 5'10" and 185lbs. Started on the surf stuff three years ago at 10'x32"x160L, and ended up down at 8'x28'100L. Small boards were great in that they start to get back to that "shortboard-ish" feel.

Found that I'm just not into the knee-wrecking snaps anymore, and wondering what I'm doing paddling around digging myself out of a hole the whole time. Spending more time in the water than out of it when it gets some heavy movement, and just all around not having a very good time.

So I settled on more of what SUP feels like it's about to me. Being able to stand around and see the outside, regardless of how bad the conditions are instead of sitting around and popping up when a wave shows. Glide forever on the tiniest bumps. Longer, drawn-out carving turns, floaters, and surfing that has more flow in it than skate tricks.

I have two boards that I love, and future boards will all be around the same. 10'x28"x127L long board. Super stable, even at 28" wide. 8'8"x31"x120L rounded-pointy nose if it's too heavy for the long board, or the chop is crazy. 

Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: TallDude on December 14, 2020, 10:46:58 PM
I've been fortunate enough to have tried / demo'd / borrowed / owned /and shaped a lot of different sup surfboards. Started with huge and went down to totally under water. I had been thinking about shaping a short wide tail for a number of years. Even have the blank in my shop. Drew probably 5 or 6 versions in Shape3D. Then about two years ago right around my birthday this 8'8 x 32 x 140l  L41 ST custom pops up on CL. Great price, so I took a chance. Bingo!, Yahtzee!, Winner winner chicken dinner........
So happy with this board in all conditions. It rips, slides, cuts back, everything I want it to do. Just enough volume for my 230 lbs, just wide enough to not get worn out in the chop, and short enough to throw it around like a short board. And well made, light and it flexes. Check check check.
I'm currently not looking for a new board, nor do I feel in search of a new board. That doesn't sound right... but it's the truth. I found the Magic.   
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: PonoBill on December 15, 2020, 08:30:54 AM
L41s are indeed magical and do everything well except permitting me to stand around in chop waiting for a wave. I gave up on smaller boards when my creaky knee (much better since I lost 20 or 30 pounds) meant I need to stand for entire sessions. Like a fat guy dancing: By the time I wallow to my feet the song is over. Big foil boards are the answer for me, big meaning 6'4" X 32".

I brought my thoroughly mauled Foote 10'4" with me and I've been using it lately in the weird surf SoCal is having. It's once again proven to be one of the best and easiest boards to SUP surf. Another simply magical board.

A shortboard surfer complimented me yesterday (!!) saying "man you really rip it up on that huge board". I was pleased to use a Dave Kalama line: "It's the sneakers". It really is. This board makes me look good. I can stagger towards the nose and still turn it easily and predictably, and from the tail, it pivots like it's less than nine feet. Foote magic. I still don't really know how he did that. I have a 9' board from Bill that's super surfy, and the 10'4 actually turns harder.

I tried the 10' production board that is supposed to be the same shape, and it was a little more agile but a lot less stable. Not the kind of tradeoff a geezer wants to make. It also glides like crazy when I pull the thrusters off. My afternoon was eFoiling on mission bay when the surf got blown out (not quite enough to wingfoil--but too much for reasonable surfing) and then I popped out the thrusters and went for a flatwater exercise paddle. Remarkable how fast that thing is. It's not in the same realm as the ancient 12'2" Ku Nalu/Starboard, but damned fast. 
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: ospreysup on December 16, 2020, 05:49:16 AM
I think dropping volume below your comfort is a right of passage in SUP and then we realize it's just not as much fun fighting stability for two hours. I picked up an 8'11 Shroom last year and have used my Apple watch to compare it to my Creek and Blue Planet Turbo over this year.  Of my three boards, my Shroom is the most stable by far. I pretty much surf the same three breaks. My wave count, avg. speed, and avg distance are all higher on the Shroom. It doesn't like steep waves, it outruns bigger waves and doesn't turn as well as my other boards (all though it turns well) but it is super stable, catches anything, is nimble and tons of fun.  My greatest top-end speed and greatest distance come from my Creek but I also surf it on the better days. When it's "on" I will choose performance but on most days give me stability and fun!
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: sflinux on December 16, 2020, 01:04:30 PM
I want to return to the things that I loved about SUP:
high wave count
glide
sufficient stability to paddle for 2-3 hours even in chop with occasional sitting
ability to cruise the line up

In my head- something around 9' 29" and 125-135L sounds a nice balance. A decent performance rail and tail
I think your ballpark of 9' sounds reasonable.  I think your ballpark of 29" sounds reasonable, but if the rail is nice and thin I wouldn't worry about going wider.  Your literage gives you a guild factor of (gf) = 1.32-1.42, which is reasonable for performance.
When I think of: high wave count, glide, stable, cruise the lineup, what comes to mind is a longboard.
Here are some boards to consider:
Deep Dogman 10'2" x 29" x 4 3/8" 146L gf=1.53
Genration Kanga 9' x 31.75" 142.5L gf=1.5
Infinity New Deal 9'6" x 31 141L gf=1.48
BluePlanet Fun Stick 9'4" x 33" 140L gf=1.47
BluePlanet Sweet Spot 9'2" x 32" 140L gf=1.47
Infinity New Deal 10' x 29" 139L gf=1.46
Genration SP25 8'8" x 31 5/16" 137.7L gf=1.45

Starboard Pro 8'7" x 29.5" 135L gf=1.42
Deep Jackson Close 10'1" x 30" x 4" 133L gf=1.4
Genration Kanga 8'9" x 30 7/8" 130.9L gf=1.38
Genration SP25 8'5" x 30 7/16" 126.2L gf=1.33
BluePlanet All Good 8'8" x 31" 126L gf=1.33
Starboard Longboard 10' x 29" 123L gf=1.29
Sunova?  Perhaps Creek can chime in on Sunova boards he would recommend.
Links:
https://genration.com/collections/sup/products/
https://www.deepoceanboards.com/
https://infinity-sup.com/collections/sup-surf/products/the-new-deal-1?
https://sup.star-board.com/paddle-board/hard-paddle-board/
https://www.blueplanetsurf.com/sups/surf-sups/

I have 119-129L L41 boards (gf=1.29-1.4), but I prefer them in clean summer shortboard conditions.  I often go out fresh on L41s, then switch to a bigger board if I get tired.  For me, I don't think I will drop any more in volume unless there is a foil underneath. 
Out of the brands listed, I've tried BluePlanet and Starboard.  BluePlanet boards are fun and would satisfy most if not all of your criteria.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: burchas on December 16, 2020, 03:36:48 PM
A new contender for you. New size for this shape. Seems like a very good balance between performance and fun while keeping the SUP "feel"
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: Luc Benac on December 16, 2020, 06:33:31 PM
A new contender for you. New size for this shape. Seems like a very good balance between performance and fun while keeping the SUP "feel"

More modestly, I got the 10' x 31" Steeze. Now I ama waiting improvement regarding travel within our province to go and try it in Tofino.....
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: supnsurf on January 04, 2021, 12:09:46 PM
I just got a Sunova Kanga, and love it. super easy to catch waves and turns on a dime. rides like a regular surfboard. Love it
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: sflinux on January 06, 2021, 11:53:57 AM
@supnsurf: thanks for sharing.  What size did you get?
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: toolate on January 06, 2021, 02:29:09 PM
Ok someone needs to be the contrarian. I am having more fun at age 60 on my 7'10 supertech than i have ever had on my longer boards.
more work yes. More falls yes. But the action on the wave makes it all worthwhile. at least for now. and in many ways the board feels more forgiving.

Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: supnsurf on January 13, 2021, 06:15:51 PM
@sflinux, I went with the 9'3". love it   
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: NorthJerzSurfer on February 12, 2021, 06:44:40 PM
I had the same journey.  went too small and realized I lost all that was fun about sup.   I stepped back....sold a ton of boards and now have two.  Great conditions: 8'2 Genration wedge. (118L) Everything else.... 8'0 l41 ST. (128L)

I wasnt a beliver that the L41 could be a 'shortboard' until i rode it.   im heavy enough to bury the tail...but its just parralel enough to be great in mush and chop.  I dont feel the instability issues others have mentioned. and the shape is fast, fast fast.  No need to bottom turn if you dont have the right wave to get speed

I'd keep the performance shortboard  you have and look into a totally differnt shape for mush and chop.  Just my opinion of course.

As an FYI I traded a traditional 'surfboard' shaped 8'2 130l for the l41 and was VERY happy I did.
Title: Re: Realising you have gone too small and in doing so- lost the magic of sup
Post by: TallDude on February 12, 2021, 09:38:37 PM
An L41 convert ;)  I don't even think about getting another board.
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