5ft 9 fuego - hope not sold myself short

[james]

purchased a 5ft 9 fuego
had a couple of surfs. the boards flies. real happy with it, but have felt I really have to paddle hard to get into waves. Once on the face the board feels amazing, responsive and the right size
just wanted to see what people thought about size choice, just wanting to re-assure myself I have got the right board - i.e would the 5ft 11 got into waves better?
im 5ft 8 and 161llbs and been surfing 7 years. winter wetsuit probs adds weight to
what are peoples thoughts - i ask because i note nev surfs the 5ft11 and he is lighter than me
thanks

[prjwebb]

I'd say you are on the right size. 511 would go too, but at your height the 509 is a good fit. might just take a bit of extra effort in the winter suit, i assume you've probably only recently put it on too. I know I'm feeling slow in mine whilst I make that adjustment!

[Chris]

Hey James,
nahh i wouldn't say you should be on the 511. At your weight the 509 is a great option. look at it this way, you'll get to know a smaller board with a volume closer to what you should be riding. you'll become a stronger paddler and be able to surf more progressively with your smaller board. Have a few more surfs on it and don't let it bum you out, that is the right size!!

you may, however, find that you want a different board for the super small days. I consider the el fuego to be really a waist high + board....

cheers and stoked on the support!

[james]

thanks chris.
here it is on its second surf!83

[Chris]

Score looks fun. where you surfing?

[james]

east coast uk......somewhere

[Matt_s]

James,

I'm very similar stats to you, about 155-160 lbs surfing 10 years, based in London surf east coast uk and Cornwall, was finding it hard to pick between the 5'9 and 5 11, my housemate has the 5'11 and I have the 5'9 so I have Tryed both, I feel confident that the 5'9 is a good size all round blending paddle and performance for my intemiedate skill level, the 5'11 worked well but it feels like a floaty board to me (it's the same vol as my 5 2 sweet potato so I have a good idea of what it's like to surf 32 litres at my weight), I recon the 5'9 gets into waves really easy, if u give yourself a little time to adjust I think u will work into it for sure, I'v surfed mine in everything from boardshorts to 6 mm hoods boots n gloves, I actually feel it gets into waves easier than the 32 litre potato for some reason, if in 6 months it's not working still, no worries u will sell it on eBay for a good price n can pick up a 5 11. How good as the last month been on the way coast ?!

[Andy]

James, I got the 5'9 a few months back and absolutely love it. I ride it as a quad (SF4s) and have had it in shoulder high waves (gutless Perth waves) up to double over head (powerful West Oz surf) and it has excelled in all conditions. Im virtually the same height and weight as Nev, and an average surfer.
Have you been on the board lately? How did it go?

Hey Matt, how do you find the 5'2 spud? I'm currently choosing between the 5'2 and 5'4. I'd be interested to hear how you find it and surprised that you find it easier to get into waves on the 5'9 elf than the 5'2 potato.

[benjamin]

Hi

What tail shape is everyone riding and whats the differnce between the two??

I can only find a swallow in my size but was more keen on the Diamond tail.

[prjwebb]

Swallow will have a slightly longer rail line so a little more drive and probably a little more lift due to the width off the back. The diamond will be loose due to the shorter rail line.

I'm not 100% but that would make sense to me.

[prjwebb]

I'd also say, if you already have the Spitfire, the swallow might be good to mix things up.

[james]

Thanks for all the replies
have settled nicely on the 5.9 now. had a few surfs and its been great. stoked on it. was the right choice for sure
yeah, matt. december on the east has been all time. such a good month
lets of 2012 brings some more good swells to yorkshire!

[prjwebb]

it's been dire in the SW!

[Chris]

hey great to hear. Thanks for all the good words.

And i do think that is the right size....

Cheers

[Matt_s]

James, I got the 5'9 a few months back and absolutely love it. I ride it as a quad (SF4s) and have had it in shoulder high waves (gutless Perth waves) up to double over head (powerful West Oz surf) and it has excelled in all conditions. Im virtually the same height and weight as Nev, and an average surfer.
Have you been on the board lately? How did it go?

Hey Matt, how do you find the 5'2 spud? I'm currently choosing between the 5'2 and 5'4. I'd be interested to hear how you find it and surprised that you find it easier to get into waves on the 5'9 elf than the 5'2 potato.

Andy,

I love the 5'2, if you like the 5'9 elf then def get the 5'2, Expect it to be a little more floaty than the 5'9 elf but should perform really well at you weight and height. I think the 5'4 will feel like a bit of a boat at your weight. I think you should be choosing between the 5'2 and 5'0 really. I sent you a more detailed message of my thoughts on the board so far. Good luck, its possibly my favourite board.....

[Chris]

agree there, matt, on all counts.

[Matt_s]

Thanks for all the replies
have settled nicely on the 5.9 now. had a few surfs and its been great. stoked on it. was the right choice for sure
yeah, matt. december on the east has been all time. such a good month
lets of 2012 brings some more good swells to yorkshire!

glad to hear it's working out, iv noticed there are loads of firewires around ini yorkshire, looks like 2012 is delievring already, looking forward to saturday reefs

[Chris]

yeah fair assessment prj,

The tail widths of the two are the same, the only difference is obvious: the diamond vs swallow. my take is the diamond actually adds a bit more lift and makes it better in slightly weaker surf. The swallow adds a little bit of bite and control in faster/steeper surf. The differences are pretty subtle, but a seasoned surfer won't have trouble feeling them. This may seem backwards to some, but keep in mind the shape of the board remains the same and the swallow tail exists at the same width as does the diamond.

Cheers all...

[core personal training]

for reference.....i jumped on the 5'7 yesterday...paddles as well as my 5'10 hellfire...different rocker/outline and foil...i'm 90kg...would ride it bigger, but got by fine on the 5'7.....

[james]

core training....well if you went well on the 5.7 then the 5.9 is def ok for me. had a few more surfs on it now...getting into it! pretty happy
new models looking good

the next question...which of the new models to get! or pick up a performance hybrid as next board?

east coast uk dawny on tommorow!

[Chris]

yeahhhh i just grabbed myself a 509 swallow tail this week. surfed it at gutless Oceanside here in SoCal and cursed myself for ever going away from it. nothing better in smaller/weaker ramps surf....

[core personal training]

james, if you like the el fuego style (loopy/semi fishy) then look to the other models with similar attributes..volume/area under front foot and flattish...that way you can jump between them with less adjustment...

chris...the guy with the endlessly rotating quiver...

[james]

I recently sold a surf tech wave rocket. I loved that board. I really enjoy the fishy feel. Was tempted by potato or new models, but was also thinking of checking out quad fish or twin fish for the wave rocket feeling. What would peoples thoughts be? Good for small and mushy waves but also fun in other conditions? Good alternative to all the other hybrids?

[STC67]

james, if you like the el fuego style (loopy/semi fishy) then look to the other models with similar attributes..volume/area under front foot and flattish...that way you can jump between them with less adjustment...

chris...the guy with the endlessly rotating quiver...

What other models are you talking about with a flat rocker and volume under the from foot? The ADDvance has the volume forward but I wouldn't have said it has a flat rocker. The SP and PN are flat but big tails.

Thanks

[core personal training]

talking relatively..if he was coming up towards "performance" then an example would be something like the futura, which would be a good crossover point...but dont think of the futura as a fish...it isn't..it can be a one board performance quiver...but it is not a "back foot" board like say the hellfire....

[prjwebb]

That's one thing that puts me off the HF. I'm so front footed on my frontside. I think that's why I get on so well with boards like the Taj.

[core personal training]

thats been my whole surfing life phill...but i obeyed Nev and rode the board and YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW

[Chris]

ha....
actually my quiver doesn't rotate all that much. I have a core set that I always go back to, but I have to give every board a ride. I am not sure I have upset my fab 4 yet, but some of the new models are making a push.

potato
dom
fuego
alternator

these for cover.....jeez....95% of my surf days.
boards making a push, Hellrazor, Michel, Potatonator....