Not Another Size Question

[prjwebb]

Have you seen today's date Pete? :D

[cuttlefish]

Sure, but I know we are a day ahead in Australia to the US.
So today (Sun 29th) is still Sat the 28th there.
Well I hope it is.

[prjwebb]

That's true... I think because im in the middle it makes it confusing. I think of you being 10 ahead and them about the same behind but don't think of the full 20 between the two.

[iggy]

jajajaja getting global here!!!!. Logistics!!! it's all about logistics

[Waxer]

I picked up a 5'6 fst SP with Future fins yesterday at the rip curl store in San Clemente. The guys there were nice enough to order me one. I'm using the SA4 Simon Anderson fins that I used on my Dom.
I took it out in 1-3 foot messy wind slop at Upper Trestles late yesterday. I'm 51, 5'10, 168 and an intermediate surfer. So here's my impressions. The paddle power is great. I can duck dive the board no problem. Once I figured out the best way to pop up on such a small board without bogging, I caught every wave I tried for. This is just what I wanted it for. I've never been able to catch small waves on a regular shortboard. Once I stood up, watch out because with my weight on the rear foot, the board just takes off!!!. It's really fast... It took me a few waves to catch up to the speed. In fact I need another few days to really dial this board in it's so fast. If you lean back to far, the board just starts flying and the next thing you know, you're on your butt! I've never had a board take off like that and I've ridden a lot of quads that were supposed to be fast but they always needed waves with a lot of push. If anyone wants a board who is older or you're not in great shape so you're not getting into waves or not making sections because the board isn't fast enough, THIS IS THE BOARD FOR YOU! If your surf spot has a slower wave without much push behind it, THIS IS The Board for you. I can't even imagine how fast this board will be in waist to chest high surf. I did manage to grab a couple of decent waves with shape and the board went on rail and felt great. It held and just kept picking up speed. I can't wait to get back in the water on a cleaner day!

[surfgumby]

Waxer, stoked you stuck to your guns & are reaping the benefits! The sweet p does really give you a buzz on the right sort of waves! Hope you keep catching heaps of waves & winning those paddle battles. The spud does take a while to dial in & I find its a bit tricky on the bigger hollower waves (got churned through the sand so hard yesterday after a 4ft barrel slammed me, my wife thought I was a sea cucumber as sand was coming out of me for hours afterwards) but it is fast & ultra fun in the smaller or sloppier stuff! Keep on flying friend!

[barney]

Waxer

This is exactly why I got a SP. I surf trestles as well (also church, which is really why I got this board) and in early 40s and suck at getting into waves compared to the young dudes there.

I weigh 185, but a lot more with a full suit that I wear most of the year. Sure, I could have gone with a 5'6" and had enough volume to catch waves, but many people aren't familiar with the crowds in this area don't realize that if you don't get in waves early, you are watching and not surfing. I got a 5'10" to catch more waves, period! I just picked it up, and can't wait to get out on it.

I imagine what you experienced with the speed is like what a lot of people Do with a flat rocker and fishy board quad or twin. They are so fast, the board wants to run on you, it's like watching a kid jump in a skateboard and having it role out from underneath them. I have seem some total rippers that get on a quad fish for the first time and look like total kooks for a few waves, not understanding the dynamics of the board and the speed.

Btw, I also have a 6'4" spitfire to improve my wave count at uppers as well.

I picked up a 5'6 fst SP with Future fins yesterday at the rip curl store in San Clemente. The guys there were nice enough to order me one. I'm using the SA4 Simon Anderson fins that I used on my Dom.
I took it out in 1-3 foot messy wind slop at Upper Trestles late yesterday. I'm 51, 5'10, 168 and an intermediate surfer. So here's my impressions. The paddle power is great. I can duck dive the board no problem. Once I figured out the best way to pop up on such a small board without bogging, I caught every wave I tried for. This is just what I wanted it for. I've never been able to catch small waves on a regular shortboard. Once I stood up, watch out because with my weight on the rear foot, the board just takes off!!!. It's really fast... It took me a few waves to catch up to the speed. In fact I need another few days to really dial this board in it's so fast. If you lean back to far, the board just starts flying and the next thing you know, you're on your butt! I've never had a board take off like that and I've ridden a lot of quads that were supposed to be fast but they always needed waves with a lot of push. If anyone wants a board who is older or you're not in great shape so you're not getting into waves or not making sections because the board isn't fast enough, THIS IS THE BOARD FOR YOU! If your surf spot has a slower wave without much push behind it, THIS IS The Board for you. I can't even imagine how fast this board will be in waist to chest high surf. I did manage to grab a couple of decent waves with shape and the board went on rail and felt great. It held and just kept picking up speed. I can't wait to get back in the water on a cleaner day!

[Waxer]

Hey Barney, I hope it cleans up tonight so we can get out there tomorrow.....
I went with the 5'6 because I was already used to riding a 5'10 Dom as well as a 5'10 Robert's White Diamond. I actually gained 5 liters of volume. I'm not floating to high on the water when I paddle. In fact I do need to make sure I'm not to forward or I'll start to sink the nose. I think I went as big as I could while still being able to sink the tail without really thinking about it. Your skateboard ref. is close. I felt like it was more like jumping on a skim board. With the longer boards you can get away with leaning back a little to far and still managing to pull back into it. Not with this board. It just jumps and picks up so much speed that you can't catch up. Yes you need to drive it off the rear foot but you've got to stay somewhat centered over the board. If you look at the video of Chuy riding the board he seems to be on rail most of the time. It almost feels like riding a snowboard. When you're on rail your locked. When you're running flat it's just skidding around picking up mad speed. Here's the deal though. I think for intermediates and older guys, our biggest problem is lack of speed and this board finally cures that problem without having to ride a longboard!