Board recommendation for a big fast wave?

[wrybread]

I just broke yet another board, so I'm in the market again for a new one. And I have a loooong history of buying the wrong board so I'm trying to avoid that this time around.

The main place I sup is a pretty heavy, fast and often large freight train. Its a great wave but there's not a lot of opportunities for turning, it's mostly just a rush to make the sections, but you do get lots of chances to get up high on the wave under the lip for that awesome burst of speed. And sometimes there's the chance for the odd cut back.  It's usually at least overhead and pushes toh when we (Northern California) get our meaty swells.

I've been surfing it on my beloved old Naish Nalu, which was 10.6 x 28" (not 30" like the new Nalus) but I just broke it. That board surfed this wave soooo well. Nice early entry, and grabbed the face so well on the backside drop. It wasn't exactly a lip smacker but it had enough turning for most of the way I like to surf (though a little more turny would be nice).

Before that I was using a 10.6 x 30" Nalu, which also did a good job but there was a big difference with that 30" width compared to the 28" and I thought it was a bit too much board. The wave broke that board too, and before that it broke a Hokua that I borrowed from a friend. It's been an expensive wave for me!

Anyway, I'm leaning towards a Jimmy Lewis for the increased durability. My friend kills it out there on his 10.8 Hanalei. But watching him turn it before catching a wave, it's like turning a battleship. I'm wondering if this is likely to be too much board? But he usually rides shortboards so he might not be used to weighting the tail to pivot.

I'm also wondering if a Stryker might be a good one to consider? And the Qwad? I grew up skateboarding so I tend to be drawn towards thrusters, but I haven't tried the Qwad.

I paddled a Stun Gun the other day and wasn't a fan, I like more longboardy glide and early entry.

Anyway, thoughts?

[PonoBill]

The 10'6 Nalu was a low volume, not very stable board, so I'm assuming stability is not the issue. It would be good if you could try an L41. They are made for speed. I've never gone faster on a board than with my L41 8'8". Kind of bitchy to paddle, but I suspect you're taking off in the pocket in a critical wave, not paddling like hell to catch something.

When you put the L41 on the rail hard, at least half the board is out of the water, and you're on a straight rail, with two thrusters hooked up. It books. You're in NorCal--go visit Kirk.

[wrybread]

Thanks for the tips. I'm pretty comfy on tippy boards. I thought the 10.6 x 30 Nalu felt super stable. The 10.6 x 28, on the other hand, felt really tippy for awhile, but by the end of our 2 months together it felt like a rock.

As far as takeoffs, for this wave being right under the lip doesn't always work. There's consequences for misjudging and it's tough to be in the right spot, so early entry (and paddling hard) is nice and is the difference between 3 rides in a session and 20 at this spot.

And I should add, I'm 6' and about 210 pounds. And I should also add that the other wave at my local spot is a bit of a mushberger (though often a sizey mushburger), so ideally I'd love a board that works passably on that wave too. But the freight train is the priority.

And where is Kirk? 101?

[TallDude]

You are almost in my weight category, but I've got a +30 lbs load and and a few inches taller. That 10'6 x 28 Nalu is a great board. I've surfed many times and own an original 11'6 Nalu. I was searching for a durable mushburger special recently myself. I ended up getting a 10' x 29"  Coreban Icon. I run it as a quad. I'm an old skateboarder as well, so I tend to stay away from classic longboard shapes. I not sure the L41's are not known for their 'big wave' characteristics, but the newer channeled ones might be better? They might be fine in big musher though? I feel the Icon is the closest board to the Nalu. It has the performance of a fun board and the glide you need to make the sections. I prefer slightly narrower boards to go rail to rail faster so 29" works. The rails are thinner and it has a domed deck. For me it's a little tippy side to side, but floats me fine. I think the construction is on par with the Naish boards.
http://coreban.com/Products/the-100-icon/

The Sunova Speeed is right in that range as well. Straighter rails for glide but a performance tail. Enough said about this board 

The 10' Laird Surfer / Hybrid is in that range as well. A little less volume. I don't know about the durability? http://www.lairdstandup.com/product/surfer-hybrid/

[wrybread]

While I love the way Naish boards surf, I can't imagine buying another one. They're just too fragile. I wish they'd make that shell a little thicker, it really is just a tiny little eggshell.

[JimK]

Lots of boards will work (LOTS of great designs) but what you need is OUTSTANDING construction and light weight for high performance wouldn't hurt.

I can suggest 2 boards that fit that bill PERFECTLY

Sunova Acid 8'10 0R 9'1 No other SUP slots into steep fast waves like the ACID
Construction is Very light with practically BOMB PROOF construction
(you can for a very nominal fee "Adjust" Sunova designs to PERFECTLY fit your ideas

Fanatic ProWave 8'9 or 9'2 a more traditional Design FAST and loose in both fast steep waves but also can generate speed for mushy waves and although heavier than the Sunova the Fanatic is very durable in both HRS and LTD

These are by far the best shapes/construction I know of for FAST?Steep waves

Check'm out and Let me know your thoughts

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing

[surfinJ]

If you're in NorCal why not a board from Jeff Clark?  Old school tech complete with stringer. This is a custom that goes fine on a wave like you describe.  10-4x29
Get in early and easy to control at speed. A lot of boards will work, this is just one.

[TallDude]

While I love the way Naish boards surf, I can't imagine buying another one. They're just too fragile. I wish they'd make that shell a little thicker, it really is just a tiny little eggshell.

I matters what Era of Naish you have. I have seen an 11'4 Nalu that a friend bought used and it had pressure digs all over and it was discolored.  He said it was a rental board. My Nalu is 8 years old and been through the ringer , slammed on shore and dragged across the rocks by my kids.  It's still in great shape.
My understanding was you wanted a board for big mushburgers, and needed to make sections.?

[SUPcheat]

L41 Kirk has been spending a lot of time lately on a board that looks a lot like this one, only 28" wide.

https://www.facebook.com/L41Surfcraft/photos/a.366962713365039.83365.322135507847760/1023731141021523/?type=3&theater

He goes out on a lot of boards for testing, I presume, but has been surfing longer boards lately.

It seems to be the kind of thing you would be looking for and I am sure he would a custom shape./build.

[TallDude]

I like it. Kirk is expanding his line in a popular range.  No doubt Jeff Clark's board will get you big wave speed you're looking for. It's no Nalu, more a big wave gun. Maybe that's what you need. My idea of a mushburger is a big bump with a weak crumbling lip. They are not usually that fast even when they are big. Not exactly a gun wave.

[wrybread]

Jeff Clark is an awesome idea. Will head down to his shop tomorrow.

I just flat water paddled a 10.8 Hanalei, feels like such a tanker. But hard to tell on flat water of course.

My main priority isn't mushburgers. The main wave this is for is a fast crazy barreling freight train. But since these boards are so expensive I'm trying to find something that I can also surf enjoyably on big mushburgers. But the priority is the hard breaking wave.

[TallDude]

You're going to need two different boards....... at the very least.

[wrybread]

> you'll need 2 boards

The 10.6 x 28" Nalu that I just broke surfed both breaks in question awesomely.

I know there's tradeoffs, just trying to make the compromises as intelligently as possible.

And I have a big giant longboard for the really small days.

[SUP Sports ®]

> you'll need 2 boards

The 10.6 x 28" Nalu that I just broke surfed both breaks in question awesomely.

I know there's tradeoffs, just trying to make the compromises as intelligently as possible.

And I have a big giant longboard for the really small days.

You definitely should demo some boards before purchasing...if you ever make it down to Santa Barbara, we have a pretty big fleet of demo boards...
I'd suggest our 10'3" x 29.5" Mahalo for starters...

BTW, I went to college and lived 10 years up in Humboldt...I think I know your venue...we used to go down there around PA for surf trips...;-)

I'm in my 11th year of standup...I don't run from barrels...and, I haven't buckled one of our boards yet...
All boards break...wrong place right time...right time wrong place...but, we haven't had one of our wood veneer production boards buckle yet...in fact, our 11'1" One World was the only board to survive multiple trips to one of our mysto reefs that was featured awhile back in the mags...

I'll put our California, USA made vacuum bagged wood veneers with Ballis-Tech (ballistic) glassing up against ANY Cobra factory board for strength and durability...let alone performance...;-)

We've got some of the most core riders from Central Cal all the way up to Canada riding them...actually, we've shipped a bunch up to Alaska wave riders, also...

http://blog.surfingsports.com/sup-sports-board-overview

All of our boards are configurable to your exact specifications with very fast turnaround times...

http://supsports.com/standup-paddle-boards/california-custom-series

I would also add that with a quad + 1 setup and the detail we take to make sure that the included high quality fin set matches the rider and venue, you will be able to optimize the board to the type of wave...hollow or mushy...

[lopezwill]

  If the "Freight train" wave is your priority this board would work.  You might be able to save some money and find one used.  I have the 12 foot PSH gun which is a great board but probably too big for you?

http://paddlesurfhawaii.com/the-boards/progressive-series-stand-up-paddle-boards/10-6-gun-ripper/