Activator as step down from longboard?

[chris27]

Looking for a board to make the step down to shorter boards, coming from an 8'0" longboard. I demo'd a 6'6" Spitfire that the shop guy recommended as a good transition 'funboard' size for me. I am pretty small at 5'8" 155lbs. I had a blast on it and was able to catch almost everything I paddled for, very similar to my longboard.

So in looking at my other options I have the 6'6" Addvance, but I thought that would be too much volume for me. Then I Saw the Activator and noticed the rocker was very similar to the Addvance, as well as the tail pulled in slightly compared to the Spitffire. So do you guys think a 6'5" or 6'7" might be a good transition and still allow me to progress to a more short board based surfing style? If not what else might you recommend?

[prjwebb]

If you found the Spitfire easy to surf I'd push yourself and go smaller on the activator. You'll get more out of it in the long run.

[chris27]

Thanks PRJ. I was thinking of keeping volume in order to compete with the longboards and SUPs in my area. With the
spit I was able to paddle in from where they were and not have to drop in on them on the inside.

[STC67]

Hi Chris, on the 6'6 Spit how did you find it's performance and what sort of waves are you surfing.

Thanks

[custom]

Chris i think Potatonator is also a good option paddle and ride excellent.
Cheers...

[chris27]

STC keep in mind that I'm a beginner short boarder coming down from a longboard. I took it out in 1-2 foot mush, where everyone had their logs out. Paddled like a longboard and I got up on my first try, can't complain about anything there. I only demo'd it for 1 session so I don't think I learned much about it other than that size and volume can definitely replace a longboard for me, which is why I'm looking at a similar length Activator.

Custom, thought about the Nator, but was turned off by the fat tail, plus I'm actually thinking of getting a Baked Potato which I recently tried and had a blast with, but I obviously caught a lot less waves. I'm really looking for something with length and volume, but with a little bit of rocker plus the pulled in tail which the Activator fits perfectly.

[iggy]

Always trust your gut feeling but most probably you'll outgrow the board in no time. @155lbs the 6'5" is waaaayy more volume than you need but if you really liked the demo... then go for it.
Are you looking to cruise on the board or really get into the more technical/radical part of it?. Cause if what you are looking for is just the wave count and glide then you are ok, but for sure you'll be sacrificing the technical potential of the board by oversizing it.
I would go for a larger baked and a shorter spit so you could get more out of every board. The potato will be closer to the longboard than the spit/activator.
But the true intermediate between the longboard and shortboard will be the Addvace. Try a potato if you can before commit to the larger activator.

[chris27]

Iggy, I actually tried a 5'5" Baked Potato and loved it, I think I'm going to get that first then my longboard replacement next. For the larger board, I really am looking for something to cruise and glide with, but with a little bit of performance if needed. I keep going back and forth with an oversized Activator or the Addvance. This would compliment the Baked that I would be planning on using for anything less than head high. Then eventually I'll get a regular Dom, hellfire/Spit as my skill improves.

[iggy]

Addvance!! suprisingly performant despite its dims, that board was designed to covr what you are looking for