Author Topic: Longboard size for smaller waves  (Read 7911 times)

CaptainKook

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Longboard size for smaller waves
« on: December 29, 2018, 09:25:50 PM »
Hi all belated Merry Christmas,

Had a good year on my new 9’ foamy, learned a lot.
The board is great for my noobie purposes but it needs a good push from behind to get moving well.  Which is all fine and good, wave count has increased dramatically.
But often here are smaller days where I just can’t get a ride . So thinking of maybe a hard longboard in the future. What is available for my wallet are 9-6  to 11-6 in 6 inch increments.  I’m 5’8, 150lbs/65kg.  Not looking for performance here just more rides in smaller conditions, maybe unbroken waves? How long should I go? Will a longboard help or should I just get bionic arms 🤗? Some choices, take a look if u can, thanks and have a Happy New Year!

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/arasoan/oh1106-ch1110/

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/arasoan/oh0441u-m310/

https://totem-sup-sports.myshopify.com

https://item.rakuten.co.jp/arasoan/oh1104-ch1110/






surfcowboy

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2018, 08:14:26 AM »
At your size anything 9’ or above should get you into waves. But remember that the shape and width and construction matters. Part of the issue with a foamie is that they flex and so you may have way more rocker than you would on the same shape of a hard board. That bend in the middle adds a lot of drag.


I’ll let the other guys pitch in but you should be able to catch about anything on a 10’ board at 150lbs. That said, I have had a blast cruising a 12’ Laird into tiny waves.

Can you rent or demo?

gone_foiling

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2018, 11:47:45 AM »
For me 9.6 is my magic number for longboard - easy to catch a wave and easy to snap it around at that length. 10+ ft super easy to get onto the waves but at the price of maneuverability.
Addicted to foiling at the moment.
My shenanigans on insta @gone_foiling

Night Wing

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2018, 12:08:34 PM »
@ CaptainKook

I'm the same height as you are at 5'8", but I'm a little lighter in weight at 144 lbs. Where I sup surf on the upper Texas coast, mainly at Surfside, Texas; small waves are the norm due to the shallow depth of the water and the flat bottom contour which is like a plate.

Without a doubt, my favorite board is my custom built One World at  11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 liters of volume. All of my sup surfing is just leisurely surfing. I don't shred waves or do anything fancy. My OW can catch  the smallest of waves. I can even ride plain old white water from a wave that has just broke because the board has a good amount of volume and with me being so light in physical weight.

Since I live in Texas where it is hot during the summer with high humidity and dew points, I wanted a custom OW built with two vent plugs for the heat. I also wanted 5 fin boxes (Futures) so any wave or water condition I might encounter, my OW can handle it because of the 6 fins I ordered with it. It also has a narrow tail if I have to manuever it around quickly with a pulled in nose.

And I really like my Blue Planet Sup Grip handle. Makes my 23 lb (with deck pad and 5 fins attached) board easy on my left and right surgically repaired shoulder joints to carry for long distances. My OW came with a nice kick pad at the tail end of the deck pad and there are two leash plug which I prefer over a single leash plug.

With my OW, I use a 75 square inch paddle blade too which is easy on my shoulder joints and works very well with my board at my physical weight.

Just do your research on where you will do most of your riding (flat water or sup surfing) and choose a board that fits your needs, wants and likes. BTW, after doing all of my research for my sup longboard, the link below is where you can find what I did. Lots of pictures in that link too.

https://www.standupzone.com/forum/index.php/topic,32850.0.html

The YouTube video below is of a Starboard Blend which is similar to my board in dimensions (11'2" x 30"), but it has a different nose profile and only 3 fin boxes. Rails are different too. But the Blend does have a narrow tail like my board. The Blend was my template for what I wanted in a 11' board for flat water paddling, sup surfing (small and big waves) and bow tanker wave surfing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUkgWgGCbtw
Blue Planet Duke: 10'5" x 32" x 4.5" @ 190 Liters (2 Dukes)
Sup Sports Hammer: 8'11" x 31" x 4" @ 140 Liters
SUP Sports One World: 11'1" x 30" x 4.5" @ 173 Liters
CJ Nelson Parallax: 9'3" x 23 1/2" x 3 3/16" @ 78.8 Liters (prone surfing longboard; Thunderbolt Technologies build in Red construction)

Area 10

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2018, 05:34:01 PM »
Take a look at the new SIC Sabre. It’s the sort of board that will catch any little wave going.

https://issuu.com/supnorte/docs/2019_sic_cat8.31_print

But it takes skill to surf boards over 11ft well, and to be safe in bigger surf. So I’d suggest trying a standard 10-6 board like the Naish Nalu 10-6 or Fanatic 10-6 first. 10-6 is (probably) the most popular length board in the world for good reason. It is a good compromise between wave-catching (and stability) and manoeuvrability, for average sized people.

RideTheGlide

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2018, 07:18:39 PM »
But it takes skill to surf boards over 11ft well, and to be safe in bigger surf. So I’d suggest trying a standard 10-6 board like the Naish Nalu 10-6 or Fanatic 10-6 first. 10-6 is (probably) the most popular length board in the world for good reason. It is a good compromise between wave-catching (and stability) and manoeuvrability, for average sized people.
What's "average sized"? As a 5'7" 155 pound older adult male, I might be considered more "fun size"  ;D  8)  ::)


« Last Edit: December 31, 2018, 07:22:03 PM by RideTheGlide »
2017 GoPlus 9'9"
2018 Hydro-Force fastblast 12'6"
2019 BKC 12'

comeu

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2018, 07:53:37 PM »
smaller days where I just can’t get a ride . So thinking of maybe a hard longboard in the future..  Not looking for performances

Hi everyone and happy new year,
Nice to see that CaptainKook became CaptainHooked.
It seems there’s confusion between a longboard /a board designed for noserides etc other longboard tricks/ and a longer board. A longboard can be shorter than a board with a more regular design. Length doesn’t mean everything, as said above, rails , rocker and every details of the design counts. So don’t buy a board on internet with no info on the rocker etc. Even (or especially) if it’s dead cheap.
You’re looking for a groveler, à board for tiny mushy days.
Have a great 2019

supthecreek

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #7 on: January 01, 2019, 03:00:41 AM »
Where you at Captain?

I think a good number for you is 9’5 x 32 at 160 L.

Long enough to glide really well at your weight.
Wide enough to be stable
Light enough to carry and load
Fast enough to make mediocre waves fun.

Big boards are hard to get away from and can pack a punch if you get wrapped up with one in small waves/shallow water.

mrbig

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2019, 10:30:35 AM »
Aloha Captain,
I am 5'8" and weigh 145. Many years of prone experience and sup.

A 9'6" to 10" is ideal for what I think you are looking for. I agree with STC on width at 32".

A dedicated noserider would not be a good choice.

I had  Hobie 9'6" that was awesome a couple of years ago.

I think they are making them again. No affiliation.

For reasons others have expressed anything over 10' would not be a good choice.

Happy hunting!
Let it come to you..
SMIK 9'2" Hipster Mini Mal
SMIK 8'8" Short Mac Freo Rainbow Bridge
SMIK 8'4" Hipster Twin
King's 8'2" Accelerator SharkBoy

Cruisinby

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #9 on: January 01, 2019, 11:07:22 AM »
Anything in the 10 ft range that has a longboard (surfboard style) out line with a flatter rocker line for glide, single fin longboard style has the most glide.   Lots to pick out there !    I ride a Bill Foote 11 ft that catches ripples, wide nose for nose riding it is thin I believe 4 1/4" thick thin rails turn better in small waves.   Lots of used onearound so maybe you could test drive some before you buy !

Happy hunting !!!

CaptainKook

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2019, 06:58:47 AM »
smaller days where I just can’t get a ride . So thinking of maybe a hard longboard in the future..  Not looking for performances

Hi everyone and happy new year,
Nice to see that CaptainKook became CaptainHooked.
It seems there’s confusion between a longboard /a board designed for noserides etc other longboard tricks/ and a longer board. A longboard can be shorter than a board with a more regular design. Length doesn’t mean everything, as said above, rails , rocker and every details of the design counts. So don’t buy a board on internet with no info on the rocker etc. Even (or especially) if it’s dead cheap.
You’re looking for a groveler, à board for tiny mushy days.
Have a great 2019

Hi comeu and Happy New Year to you!
Thanks for pointing out the differences between long board and longer board, it really makes sense now.

CaptainKook

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2019, 07:09:42 AM »
Thanks all for the replies, greatly appreciated. 
Have to look more closely at the rocker on the boards I’m considering, but safe to say the 11-6 ‘s are pretty much out. 

gone_foiling

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2019, 08:02:13 AM »
I am a little heavier than you and my wife is exactly your size - I have 9.6 Imagine Icon 31wide with 147LT volume. This board does exactly what you want, look for similar size/shape. It is amazing what that thing can do. I have traveled to CR Pavones, Maui HI and I never thought about being on the wrong board. Kalama design/idea is just the best. Super stable/responsive. Happy supping!
Addicted to foiling at the moment.
My shenanigans on insta @gone_foiling

JimK

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #13 on: January 02, 2019, 08:59:25 AM »
Captain,

before I made a recommendation I tried to follow your links (most didn't work) but one did and it's a funky SoCal company selling $499 boards (kinda dubious) The folks here refered you to some excellent boards but they aren't $499. ONE of the big differences between those boards and the recomendations here is construction ( a big part of the price difference)Not withstanding Shape (design) & components
So my recomendation(assuming the $499 price is the KEY)  is take theManufacturer/ model and dimensions posted here and check you local craigslist (and the like) Once you see what is available to you. This diverse but knowledgeable group can again help you in selecting the right board.

Have fun

JimK
Extreme Windsurfing.com

Area 10

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Re: Longboard size for smaller waves
« Reply #14 on: January 02, 2019, 09:44:06 AM »
But it takes skill to surf boards over 11ft well, and to be safe in bigger surf. So I’d suggest trying a standard 10-6 board like the Naish Nalu 10-6 or Fanatic 10-6 first. 10-6 is (probably) the most popular length board in the world for good reason. It is a good compromise between wave-catching (and stability) and manoeuvrability, for average sized people.
What's "average sized"? As a 5'7" 155 pound older adult male, I might be considered more "fun size"  ;D  8)  ::)
Depends where you live. In many places in the world you are an average size.

Don’t go over 30” wide at your weight and height. You’ll find a 32” wide board hard to accelerate fast enough to get into small waves, and at 5’7” it will be tiring for you to get the paddle perpendicular when paddling. To get into small crappy waves you need a board that is as narrow and long as your skills can cope with, and that does not have too much rocker. Short fat boards do not work well for smaller people in *really* weak surf, like you are contemplating.

But as I’ve said before, the key caveat here is “as your skills can cope with”. 30” wide should be fine for pretty much anyone your height and weight. If you have good balance you could even go 1-2” narrower. In terms of length, most people your size can cope with boards up to 10ft very easily, and most feel comfortable up to 10’6”. Beyond that, unless you are going for a very gun-like shape, you might start to feel intimidated by the sheer bulk of the board in the surf, and you’ll have to really know how to turn a board to get the most out of it. I regularly surf a 16ft x 26” wide board in crappy weak waves, and it is still possible to do cutbacks on a board like long, if you know how. I also have a 12-6 which I use for very small weak blown-out waves. I’m quite often out at my local break in those conditions catching wave after wave when virtually everyone else is busting a gut to get onto a wave but failing. Funnily enough, these are the same people who comment on how big my board is when I’m walking to the water. They assume I’m a beginner, I think, when I’m walking. But pretty soon in the water the logic becomes obvious. I’ve been surfing really marginal waves for decades, and I’ve learnt what equipment I need to have most fun in them. That equipment is not the usual short, wide, high volume fare that is pushed to beginners.

I often think that it takes more skill to surf crappy small conditions well than it does to surf eg. a perfect Hawaiian reef break. The top pros who can perform well and generate enough speed to do all kinds of tricks in knee-high onshore mush are awesome. Crappy weak waves are very unflattering. So you need all the help you can get, and in the same way that really massive Peahi will require specialist equipment, so also does surfing really crappy small weak conditions. And strangely  enough, big wave guns can actually work quite well in ankle-slappers, because they are designed to paddle and accelerate fast. In fact, one of my favourite small wave boards is my PSH 12ft Gun. Here is a video of a guy on that same board, making the case for longer narrower boards in small waves:

https://youtu.be/MNbO9T6TpkU
« Last Edit: January 02, 2019, 10:32:16 AM by Area 10 »

 


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