Hellfire 6'2 or 6'4?

[fielden]

Hi Everyone,

Hoping you might be able to help me with a sizing question, I'm considering getting a Hellfire but am stuck on which one to go for. It would be my only board for the time being, but I might add a Sweet Potato or similar in the future.

I'm 34, 175lb and been surfing for 5 years. Current standard is at the lower end of intermediate. Realistically only get 30/40 days surfing a year. My last board was a 6'2 x 19 1/2 x 2 3/8, similar shape to a Futura. I really liked it when I was up and surfing but the volume was a bit low for me so I missed a lot of waves and was struggling to make late drops. I'm currently using a 6'3 x 21 1/2 x 2 3/4 Fourth Chilli Bean, but at 38L I find it too much volume and it just feels like a bit of a barge.

The volume calculator has me on 35L so I think I could go with either the 6'2 (33.7L) or 6'4 (36.7L). Am leaning towards the 6'4 as I live in the UK and the waves often lack power, also figured the extra volume would help me get into the them a bit earlier on the occasions they do have a bit of punch. Having said that I demo'd a 5'10 Potatonator recently which is the same volume and thought it was still maybe a touch too floaty. I can also demo a 5'10 Dom, but not a Hellfire.

What do you guys think? I'm open to any other suggestions as well.

Thanks! (and apologies for the long post)

[prjwebb]

6'2" would be plenty in my opinion.

[Piha Local]

I'm 83kgs and ride the 6/4 HF. It is significantly harder to catch waves on than my 6/2 Dom [38ltrs]. Even tho you would be way over foamed on the 6/4 compared to an expert, fit surfer of the same weight, you are in a learning curve where if you are not catching plenty of waves in your restricted surf opportunities then you are not progressing. Bear in mind that the volume of the H/F is mostly in the rear half of the board and the nose is quite refined so it will not have the boaty feel of the P/N once you are up and riding. Also bear in mind that the most prolific posters here are surf nazis who are highly motivated and probably exceptionally fit and therefore ride boards that are closer to pro surfer dimensions ie, highly weight the performance side at the expense of paddle power. I stand ready to be shot down!

[buzzy]

At 175lbs I'd be recommending the 6'2". I reckon at your weight the 6'4" would have a fair amount of excess volume.

[buzzy]

PS I reckon Piha local is 100% right, and you would want more foam. Just my judgement is the 602 should be enough.

[Slowman]

I'm 90kg and have a 6'2 and it has plenty of float for me. I found it harder to paddle at first until I shifted back a little to where the rocker flattened out a bit. Still not as good a paddler as my spitfire or dom but it takes a late drop so well it doesn't matter so much. At 83kg it has to have more than enough buoyancy.

[Chris]

good feedback everyone. 602 sounds like the right direction considering all the intangibles...

Thanks!

[fielden]

Yes - thanks for the input everyone, I'll probably be buying the board this weekend so I'll let you know how I get on!

[Piha Local]

Shot, but not down, yet-----, just a slow bleed out till I finally succumb!

[Waxer]

Hey Piha Local, I'm 51, 175 pound intermediate, surf once maybe twice a week. I ride a 5'6 sweet potato in 2-3 foot waves and love it. Tried the 6.0 Hellfire and thought my arms were going to fall off after a couple of hours in 2-4 foot surf. I demoed the 6'4 Hellfire and could catch almost everything I tried for. So I just bought the 6'4 Hellfire and put some Stretch glass quads in. I was surfing 3-5 foot waves today and I caught what I wanted and the board just flew and could turn really quick for me.
Did I mention it was fast!...If I didn't pull a cutback, I would easily outrun the wave. Even at 6'4, the board could cutback really fast..Then, I had no problem taking one pump and then I'd be shooting down the line again. I can't wait to surf this board again next weekend!!!!!! Just another happy customer although an older one who went with a little more volume and couldn't be happier! I think the key for us older guys it being able to paddle for 2 1/2 hours and riding as many waves as possible!!! Compared to the Sweet, this board just cuts threw the water and the drops on bigger waves take no effort with the added rocker.... it's also really stable when dropping in.....