Starboard Whopper and next board?

[eastbound]

big boards, well-designed or not, are big boards

a well-designed 10' x 34" board cant feel anything like a well-designed 8' 4" x 29" board

and it cant feel anything like a 10' x 29" longboard sup either

it can try to get close, but albie enstein himself cant design away that size difference

ya they can be fun, and guys can surf them well, but they are a distinct type of board that can aptly be called a tanker, or a "big guy" board, if you will

dont need to surf to feel what can only be a big difference

within the tanker or "big guy" class, some, with similar dims, surf better than others, for sure

[Green Water Sports]

I learnt on the 10' x 34" Whopper and moved down to the Starboard Element at 9'8" x 30". Wave performance was much better and since I had outgrown the Whopper, it was a comfortable step down in size without sacrificing much glide or stability I needed.

[surfercook]

Hey, I got nothin' against surfin' a tanker. They are tons 'o fun! Never really rode in one in mackin' surf' but in the smaller stuff I've found they are a blast.

Riviera 11'6" in action

[Newps]

I've got a 2017 10' x 34" Whopper that I picked up on Craigslist for $650 for my girlfriend.  Swapped out the fins for surfing to some FCS II Gerry Lopez Tri Set, night and day difference.
This board with these fins is so much fun to ride.  I love to let people try it in the line up, smiles from ear to ear.  Hardcore longboarders (those who paddle in the harbor) are the best victims.  I love to see how the board opens their eye's and the "stoke" on their face.

If you have not experimented with different fin sets you might want to start there.  It really is like a different board.  It will do almost everything my shortboards will, just slower.

[J-Bird]

Interesting what you wrote about the fins, I use to use small surfboard fins on the Whopper and it worked great.  I would even surf it with just two small twin fins and no center, and I could slip it out and pull it back in on a wave face at will, totally fun and rails would not catch.

Here I am surfing Hurricane Earl on a Whopper.  Not a tanker.

[Night Wing]

@ surfercook

Thanks for sharing your video in this topic thread. Nice to see someone who also rides a sup over 11' like I do too.

[Dusk Patrol]

Props, J-Bird, that Hurricane Earl photo is prob the greatest Whopper pic ever...

[Area 10]

Mostly in my experience, people who complain about not being able to turn big boards just can’t turn boards. It takes skill to surf a big board well. It has to be learned just like surfing a shortboard has to be learned. Big boards aren’t “beginner boards” or “big boy boards”. They are for experienced surfers who know how to handle and control a board and want to maximise their fun. That’s my take on it.

[surfercook]

Here I am surfing Hurricane Earl on a Whopper.  Not a tanker.

That wave is real Whopper! Amazing foto! Looks like a proper Mavericks wave! Sorry, I've always referred to the longboard style sups as tankers. Not meant to offend.

Big boards aren’t “beginner boards” or “big boy boards”. They are for experienced surfers who know how to handle and control a board and want to maximise their fun.

I always said you need to be checked out on a big sup. Lotta vol to control and if you're gonna surf a big "Tanker" in a crowded lineup, or even one w/only a few out you better know what the heck you're doing. They definitely take extra skill and experience to handle.

@ surfercook-Thanks for sharing your video in this topic thread. Nice to see someone who also rides a sup over 11' like I do too.

lol...surprised you didn't remember this one.

[Night Wing]

@ surfercook-Thanks for sharing your video in this topic thread. Nice to see someone who also rides a sup over 11' like I do too.

lol...surprised you didn't remember this one.

I remembered it. This time, I decided to save the video into one of my sup folders in my bookmarks toolbar so I can watch it whenever I want.....just in case my memory lapses in my old age. 

BTW, you surf the 11'6" Riviera with one single fin very well in the waves you encountered.

[J-Bird]

No worries, Cookie.

[eastbound]

from this point forward, i defer to you, j-bird, on any matters surf!      whatever you ride for whatever conditions!

to be anywhere near that wave pictured, you are a charger beyond anything i will ever know

where was that wave? 

[Newps]

Interesting what you wrote about the fins, I use to use small surfboard fins on the Whopper and it worked great.  I would even surf it with just two small twin fins and no center, and I could slip it out and pull it back in on a wave face at will, totally fun and rails would not catch.

Here I am surfing Hurricane Earl on a Whopper.  Not a tanker.

Never thought about trying it as a twin fin.  Sounds like a great idea.  Took it out yesterday at Bolsa State Beach, 2 to 3 light offshore breeze, air 81, water 67-ish, super fun session.  Cranked a few snaps off the lip, digging in hard with the paddle.  It must look funny seeing me riding the last two feet of the board and it whipping around. 

[J-Bird]

Far out!

[lopezwill]

  J-bird

Great photo of you sup surfing that Hurricane Earl wave! 

Good selling point for that whopper.