Spitfire sizing 82Kg 6'1 - 5'8 or 5'10

[savagebee]

Hey all, very close to getting my first Spitfire. Have been reading all I can on sizes etc. and I reckon I'm right between 5'8 and 5'10. I am 6'1 tall, 82 Kgs = 180 Pounds (hope to be 2kg lighter soon), 49 years old, inter to inter/advanced, fit for my age.

My current board is a CI pod 6'0, which I broke last week (creased wiping out in 5ft close-out barrel) and is being repaired. I've been really happy with it but want to get something a little more edgy and radical but also for small days. The 6'0 pod paddles awesome and catches waves really well, and I'm sure I should have gone a bit smaller in the pod, probably 5'10 if I got another one. I am a very experienced surfer, can surf anything pretty well, but would classify my style as smooth and fast but not radical and vertical. I want a board that can help me change this style and push the critical and vertical stuff more.

So I'm pretty sure my decision is between 5'8 and 5'10. The other one I would like opinion on is FST or Rapidfire. I have had a 6'8 FST alternator (way too big I know) and I do like the FST technology and delayed spring, but never tried rapidfire. Love the look of the rapidfire, love that bamboo deck. After breaking the pod I'm quite keen to have strength but I wouldn't want to compromise weight for it. Which is lighter and does rapidfire last well or is it better to spend a bit more on the FST which will live a bit longer?

Thanks in advance for any opinions or suggestions :).

[buzzy]

I'd personally suggest 5'10". I've only surfed FST so can't comment on Rapidfire.

[surferireland]

Do you wear a wetsuit or surf in boardies? Id say 5'10 unless you are really awesome and FST as Ive found it some what more resilient to damage but not unbreakable - I ride a 6'0 wear a 5/3 suit and weigh 87kg at the moment and the board feels good, last year I was down to 83kg and 5'10 felt borderline.

[savagebee]

Hey, Ireland, thanks for that.
I Live in Sydney so 3mm wet-suit in the winter, boardies in summer. I'm not awesome, so am leaning towards the 5'10 (hope the rail catches when I do this :)). I think maybe Rapidfire at the moment as I do like the idea of the positive response (and maybe I'm just in love with the bamboo).

Any suggestions on initial fin-set for both thruster and quad? I will be getting FCS. Already have PC7, G-AM, AM2 thruster sets in my quiver collection plus two little G-XQs. So would try to make what I have work initially if not too far off the mark.

[prjwebb]

I've surfed the 5'8" through winter in 5/3mm + boots, gloves, hood and up to around 80kg plus all the gear. Always found it to have more than enough float.

I'd say the 510 would work great for you but if you're surfing plenty and fit, and the 508 dims speak to you more than the 510 then it would work for you, especially in better waves.

The 510 will handle tiny days better and cruise a little easier, but the 508 will let you push it harder in better surf.

[buzzy]

I reckon your fin set up sounds ideal. At 82kg maybe you could look at PC5's because your fin quiver tends to the larger end of the spectrum (AM2's excluded). But if I had that group of fins I'd be pretty stoked. It's pretty similar to mine actually except I have K3's instead of AM2's.

[iggy]

165 cms and 84Kgs and could not be happier n my 5'8" spit FST

[savagebee]

Thanks guys. I've taken a punt and gone for the 5'8 rapidfire. They only had Future fins ones in stock and I can't wait so I'm now into the Future:(.
Main reason for 5'8 rather than 10 is I checked volume on my current CI pod and it's very close to volume of 5'10 spit and I know I could go less. Plus now I have extra motivation to get fitter and lighter:)

[iggy]

Buddy Futures is the way to go... in my opinion at least ;)
Try a set of Solus thrusters for those fun roller waves.Also the WCT are to be considered. Rasta quads are really good.

[Marin]

Hi everyone,

Im 5'10 and 72kg (24yrs and fit) and have an intermediate level (although it is not clear to me how you define intermediate). I am considering to purchase a Spitfire but again I am not sure about the size: 5'6 or 5'8. I also hesitate with the Dominator. The hesitation in size comes from the fact that I have not surfed in 2 years and have decided to get back into it - and I can t really compare it to the size of my normal board as the only one I have is a 6'6 that floats like a boat!

I m going for 2 weeks in Portugal and want a board that is going to allow me to progress and that could follow me in my evolution on the medium term as I will not have the opportunity to surf it every week.

What would you recommend? Thanks

[savagebee]

Hey Marin
Take this for what its worth from someone who has yet to ride the spitfire but has ordered one based on research and other board volumes.
If I were your size and fitness and wanting to improve, I would go 5'6.

[iggy]

Hey Marin
Take this for what its worth from someone who has yet to ride the spitfire but has ordered one based on research and other board volumes.
If I were your size and fitness and wanting to improve, I would go 5'6.
Truth, but given he has not surfed in a long time I believe the 5'8" Dom will make him get back to the game faster.
Dominator will draw rounder arcs while the spit will tight them.

[savagebee]

Got my 5'8 spit RF last week. A thing of beauty. My first reaction when I saw it was "eeek that's small!!".
First surf was in bumpy full 4-5 foot waves with rasta quad set. Was concerned that board is too small because less float than I'm used to and it was very skittish. Had some moments but generally not real happy in these conditions.
Second surf similar conditions Solus thruster fins. Getting used to the size and quite happy paddling and getting waves but skitty and bogging in chop.
3rd surf 2-4 feet powerful and smooth rasta quad. Very happy paddling now and board felt awesome! Fast, loose, super tight turns. Only problem is me getting used to what it can do. Yes! This is why I bought this board - couldn't be happier.
On the size decision I think I could have gone 5'10 but 5'8 has plenty of float for me and performance on the wave is awesome!

[iggy]

Yewwww

[savagebee]

Yes yeeeew. After 2 more small wave surfs I'm totally stoked with this board! Faster and sharper turning than anything else I've ridden. Rasta quad is insane but hard to control, Solus thruster feels awesome and more predictable.

[iggy]

Solus is what I have on mine,really like them

[Tubbs]

Guys, been reading with interest all of the posts on this thread and the ones on the Potatontor and Hellfire. I want to add a performance oriented board to my quiver without going mad. I like the sound of the HF but the SF sounds like the one which would be more useable here in Guernsey, CI. I surf mostly our main beach break, the surf tends to be crumbly, there are other spots which go when the period is 9/10 sec plus and swell height 3++ feet (normal heights.....). These other spots can offer some decent little barrels and nice walling rights, which I love. I am 75 kgs so 165 lbs in old money, 40 years old and fit, surf as often as I can and mix up my boards; stubby hybrid, twinny, quad fish or log. This winter was appalling but otherwise try to get in 3 times a week or as many sessions as my arms in a day will allow! In my quiver my mate quite rightly pointed out that all of the boards I have are good small wave boards, one of which is a sweet potato, which I use too much! In anything! But I went 506 and think I cold have easily got away with the 504/502 at a push given the generally weak waves we get. So I am keen for the SF and am thinking 510 which will be good when the surf goes waist plus and has a little punch to it and given the winter wettie should be okay volume wise. But am concerned that this may be too much and if I go shorter it will be too little. Trade off between volume to compensate for weaker surf although waist plus and added winter wettie weight against shorter less volume and maybe more useable!? Loving the sweet potato....just flies...have used it instead of my log most days....fast and fun when the surf is shocking! 8-D

Input greatly appreciated.

[prjwebb]

I'd go 5'8 based on the fact that you'd be on the SP if the surf was pants.
The 5'10" would still be a lot of fun and it depends on what sort of volume you like riding. I like a little lower volume boards, and I think the 5'8" over volumed for me unless the waves are slack.

[Tubbs]

Hi prj, thanks for the input, appreciate it. So I can gauge the waves you are riding the 508 on, what period etc because not sure what the "normal" conditions would be for you in Cornwall. Here we are lucky to get an average of 9 secs and it's usually more like 8 sec and onshore, if we are lucky. If the surf is weak would you go for 510 where you are or are you saying that the 508 is perfect for you in weak conditions but not when its got more guts to it? I think whilst I want to go 508 i may find it a little too much of a leap having never ridden a performance board before. I think I could manage it well but it's getting it going sooner than say the 510.

[Chris]

Hey Tubbs, i agree with Prj, from the sounds of it, you'd likely prefer the 508, though you could easily ride the 506 if you wanted to push it. I will add on the topic of period, it depends almost more on how steel the wave is. I surf 15 seconds all the time here in CA but its often VERY weak. Back where i am from on the east coast of the US, i normally surfed 9 seconds, but it broke more steeply on the sandbars near my home.

In your case i would judge your needs based on punch. A slow wave is a slow wave independent of period. I always feel that if its mushy, you can afford to go with more volume. if you are normally surfing punch, then you can get after less volume. Over all, though, based on your other boards, you'll prefer the 508.

Cheers

[Tubbs]

Hi Chris, cheers for the input. I was surfing yesterday in fun waist high beachy surf on a mates Lost Black Sheep which was a 508 with 27.4cl volume. Different design etc to the Spitty but good to get a feel of a much smaller board. The smallest I have ever ridden...sketchily! With that in mind I am now looking back at yours, prj's and another mates comments about board size v local conditions. Listening to everyone's views, it is not so much about will I be able to surf either one, it is how quickly I will be able to get the board wired based on my experience and the type of waves we surf. The 510 will stroke into waves a little easier than the 508 and there will be a marginal differences in riding between the two once up. If the trade off is getting into waves then I think it has to be the 510, particularly if it's weak and mushy. Whilst I am itching to surf something smaller I don't want to hinder progress and so errrring on the side of caution! Hey I'm sure you are both right...cheers mate. T.

[kdropin]

Hey Tubbs, i agree with Prj, from the sounds of it, you'd likely prefer the 508, though you could easily ride the 506 if you wanted to push it. I will add on the topic of period, it depends almost more on how steel the wave is. I surf 15 seconds all the time here in CA but its often VERY weak. Back where i am from on the east coast of the US, i normally surfed 9 seconds, but it broke more steeply on the sandbars near my home.

In your case i would judge your needs based on punch. A slow wave is a slow wave independent of period. I always feel that if its mushy, you can afford to go with more volume. if you are normally surfing punch, then you can get after less volume. Over all, though, based on your other boards, you'll prefer the 508.

Cheers
ne sand bars :)

[David_KJeep]

Hi Tubbs. Just confirming what the other boys said. I'm about your size and weight (a tad lighter) and I used my SF 5'8" all year along in different conditions and if you are going to ride it in the better waves (as your SP will do the small and mushy ones) then 5'8" would be the go!

[savagebee]

Tubbs I agree with the others, go the 5'8. At 82 kg I'm really happy with it and goes great in the small punchy waves. It's the smallest board I've used but every time I surf it it feels more normal. No problems paddling and getting waves.
Let's face it, the spit is not the right board for crumbly weak onshore waves, so I reckon get the 5'8 and save it for the good wall days.

[Tubbs]

Cheers guys for the responses....I've ordered the 5.10 and if its wrong I'll flog it and get a 5.08 but being super conservative! :0)

[cb3rd]

Hey Tubbs! I'd like to hear what you think of the 5'10 at your weight, i'm 6 kgs to the heavier and got the 5'10 and think it goes like the clappers, but kinda feel I could have gone the 5'8. Only ridden it once so far though.

[Tubbs]

Will let you know, it's on order but not expecting it for at least another couple of weeks....PLUS the summer is here and there's been zero surf! But still excited and can't wait. Cheers T.

[hawaii_boi]

Has anyone ridden the 508 or 510 SF in point break waves and/or hawaii waves (e.g. Ala Moana Bowls, Concessions, etc)? 1-3 ft faces? 3-5ft faces?

Tubbs, how is the 510 SF??

[hawaii_boi]

I'm 5'8", 175-180lbs. Intermediate level, coming down from Inter/Advance longboard level. I can't decide between 508 and 510 SF. Volume calculator has at me 33L minimum which is a 510 SF. However, many are recommending a 508 for a person similar to my weight and height. I demoed a 506 Sweet Potato RF and 510 Dominator FST in 1-3+ ft faces. Both are fun boards but begin to slide a little or hang at the top when surfing head high+ (hawaiian). I surf mostly chest to overhead and I'm worried if 508 might not be enough board to make the drop. thoughts anyone??

[iggy]

On those waves have you consider anything with a bit more rocker within the Firewire line?. What's the reason to go for the SF??.
If you decide to stick to it, then the 5'8" will have you covered. On the same sort of train of thought you are on, the Hellfire will be a good option as well with a bit more rocker and pulled in nose will help you on those drops.The Alternatoris also a viable solution to your dilema as well

[hawaii_boi]

iggy, thanks for the feedback! I normally surf Diamond Head, Ala Moana, and Waikiki. I liked how the Dom paddled, caught waves, and floated me. The only reason why I didn't choose the Dom is because I liked the diamond tail and stepdown rails of the SF. Also, i felt it will make my transition from longboarding to shortboarding a little easier. I looked at Hellfire and it has great dimensions but I don't think I'm at that level yet. Mahalo!

[csarqui]

Here's my take hawaii_boi. If you're coming down from longboards (I did the same and we are the same weight), I think you'll like the 5'10 because it rides on top of the water and will feel similar to what you're used to in many ways. Eventually, you may want to move towards more advance stuff (1 bottom turn and straight off the top, breaking out the fins) which means you'll want to go smaller, but that will take a good long time. If you go too small right now, then the board will bog a bit.

OK, then you brought up "Ala Moana Bowls".....uuuuuuuuhhhhmmmm....maybe not the right board for that. You can do it, but it will always be a bit sketchy on those ledges. I think you'll want a narrower nose to get you dropping down the face quicker, and more rocker to make you feel confident in that pocket.

[hawaii_boi]

@csarqui, thanks for that very helpful insight!! I've taken my LB (In The Pink) out at Bowls in 2-4ft (hawn size) a few times...drops are makeable but when the tide is low and i catch the inside bowl...that's where it gets tricky! lol. @iggy mentioned the HellFire or Alternator for more of the ledgy waves. I'm still a beginner to shortboarding (I can only do cutbacks and floaters) so not sure if I'm ready for those boards yet. I've ridden a 510 dominator and I thought that was perfect. The Volume calculator has me at 33L min. to 41L max. So, based on those two factors, I'll probably go with the 510 Spit and when I do eventually get better, maybe upgrade to a 508 Spit or to a Hellfire or Alternator. Mahalos!!

[hawaii_boi]

@csarqui, one last question. Prior to you deciding on the 510 SF, did you try any other sizes? 508? 600? What/Who made you eventually decide on the 510 SF? Mahalo!

[csarqui]

Yep, I've tried the 6'0, 5'10, 5'8, and back to the 5'10. The 6'0 was an absolute dog for me. I can't explain why but it just didn't respond. I tried the 5'10, loved it, and surfed it till it died. Rapidfires die quickly under my feet. Then I tried the 5'8 which worked well but started to bog a little on softer reef breaks (Beacons in SD). Now I'm back on the 5'10 and I'm reminded that it's the magic board for me. Quick take offs, lots of speed thru the flats, and great maneuverability.

[benny81]

I done the same two 5'10s broke one sold the other, now onto a 6'0 but got a feeling i'll be seeing a 5'10 soon....6'0 just feels a bit big and strangly feels narrow in the nose and not as stubby and wide!

[hawaii_boi]

@csarqui, that's really great info! I recently checked out the 508 SF and although it is still an OK size, I'm probably gonna go with the 510 because I plan to take it to other breaks that might not be as steep and hollow (e.g. Waikiki, Daimond Head, etc.). The thing about Firewire...there are many boards that overlap each other so I know I will have to buy another board or two for specific waves and surfing. As far as RapidFire goes, I think it's a little too delicate so I'm leaning more towards FST.

@benny81, how'd you break your board? how big were the waves? it sucks to throw away $$$!!!!

Thanks guy for all your help!! I'm definitely getting the 510 SF now. When I get really good, I'll get the 510 HellFire and/or 508 SpitFire.

Aloha!!!

[iggy]

Good to hear buddy!! lt us know how it goes

[benny81]

@csarqui, that's really great info! I recently checked out the 508 SF and although it is still an OK size, I'm probably gonna go with the 510 because I plan to take it to other breaks that might not be as steep and hollow (e.g. Waikiki, Daimond Head, etc.). The thing about Firewire...there are many boards that overlap each other so I know I will have to buy another board or two for specific waves and surfing. As far as RapidFire goes, I think it's a little too delicate so I'm leaning more towards FST.

@benny81, how'd you break your board? how big were the waves? it sucks to throw away $$$!!!!

Thanks guy for all your help!! I'm definitely getting the 510 SF now. When I get really good, I'll get the 510 HellFire and/or 508 SpitFire.

Aloha!!!


Creased it in waist high waves, but i'm quite heavy handed to be honest....still preffer the RF for small waves though just for that extra pop/spring feel

Enjoy!

[hawaii_boi]

csarqui/benny81/iggy
I was stuck between a 58 and a 510 for a while. Then, I was so set on the 510 a few days ago, but after seeing the two side by side and losing 10lbs in a month I've decided to go with the 58!! :D It's a sick board...can't wait to try it. Only thing I need now are fins. Any suggestions???

934

[csarqui]

That thing looks sweet! Can't wait to hear your ride report.

[David_KJeep]

Only thing I need now are fins. Any suggestions???
F4's!

[iggy]

csarqui/benny81/iggy
I was stuck between a 58 and a 510 for a while. Then, I was so set on the 510 a few days ago, but after seeing the two side by side and losing 10lbs in a month I've decided to go with the 58!! :D It's a sick board...can't wait to try it. Only thing I need now are fins. Any suggestions???

934
Have fun buddy!!!

[hawaii_boi]

1st session
Location: Diamond Head
Waves: 1-2ft hawaiian
Tide: low tide (0 to 1.5 ft)
Winds: 10-25mph
Conditions: semi-choppy, sunny

Fins used: Futures Vector II Quad1 438 (i know i know composites suck! haha). Waiting on a friend to let me borrow his Futures SA4 and Scarfini FX3.


@csarqui, you were right, once I hit the flats, this board just bogs and dies like a stalled car!! haha!! I need to catch at least waist to chest high to move smoothly...anything smaller won't go unless it's punchy. I guess that's why the Sweet and Baked Potato were made!

@iggy, i must admit i was a little skeptical about this 508 floating me or paddling easier than its 510 counterpart, but I had no problems and like you said, "it has enough float" and duck diving is too easy!! thanks for your expert advice!!

@David_KJeep, the local surfshop that I usually go to didn't have the F4s on the Fin Tree, but I'll keep looking. The F4 Quads look sick though.

There's a South swell (13 seconds) coming in today so hopefully I can try it again and with different fins. I'll keep you guys posted!! ALOHA!!

[Tubbs]

Used the 5.10 today for the first time in decent head high clean waves and it was awesome. Stroking into waves was fine, I could have gone 5.08 but I think given the weak surf we get it's a good compromise just to have the extra volume is a little lazy maybe but it didn't hold me back....i had it set up as a quad, took off first wave I was up a little sketchy at first, composed myself and just drove it down the line. It's quick and turns so well, just love it. Loving my Spitty and tatty.

[hawaii_boi]

@Tubbs, totally understand what you are talking about. For me, I'm going from a 9'0 longboard to a 5'8 shortboard!!! haha! The 5'10 probably would not have been issue for me either. have fun!!