5'8" Hellfire Video

[megsy]

Hey Piha Local, do you need booties to walk out across (reef) to cokes from the villa?
What's the favourable tide to surf cokes?
What's the cost for a trip across to chickens from the villas?
In regards to fins, I'll be taking my FCS K2.1 PC Quads for thrusters I'll have my FCS K2.1 PC, FCS JW-1 & FCS PC-5.

[Piha Local]

Hi, I used booties at Cokes if it was not high tide, there is an area they call "urchin alley" and the urchins have very long evil spikes, not good if u get nailed early on in the holiday. If u get dropped off at Cokes or Chickens from the dingy, then I didn't bother as u could stay out of trouble because the waves are pretty easy to duck dive compared to my local beach break in NZ. There was no cost for the boat transfers. I dont know about fins, I have only recently realised what a difference they can make so my experience is limited, if I was going again [next year for my 4th trip?] I would take a Knubster as I think the very high speeds u can achieve on well shaped, long period reef waves with a Hellfire, need some controlling! A couple of Spanish [good] surfers stopped me to ask about my board because they noticed the speeds I was achieving.Tides are weird in Maldives because the Atolls are not true harbours, they are open to the ocean thru gaps in the reef system on all sides so it can be overridden by local winds. Even the surf guide couldn't predict current flows accurately especially around the big tides we had. High and low are obviously low flow situations for an hour or so. Enjoy!

[Matt_s]

Hi, I used booties at Cokes if it was not high tide, there is an area they call "urchin alley" and the urchins have very long evil spikes, not good if u get nailed early on in the holiday. If u get dropped off at Cokes or Chickens from the dingy, then I didn't bother as u could stay out of trouble because the waves are pretty easy to duck dive compared to my local beach break in NZ. There was no cost for the boat transfers. I dont know about fins, I have only recently realised what a difference they can make so my experience is limited, if I was going again [next year for my 4th trip?] I would take a Knubster as I think the very high speeds u can achieve on well shaped, long period reef waves with a Hellfire, need some controlling! A couple of Spanish [good] surfers stopped me to ask about my board because they noticed the speeds I was achieving.Tides are weird in Maldives because the Atolls are not true harbours, they are open to the ocean thru gaps in the reef system on all sides so it can be overridden by local winds. Even the surf guide couldn't predict current flows accurately especially around the big tides we had. High and low are obviously low flow situations for an hour or so. Enjoy!

tides are the strangest thing there, it can be perfectly surfable one minute and then 10 mins later it takes all your energy just to maintain position, you will see it breaking pefectly with noone out at times of strong currents. and yeh it seems noone can predict them.

i didnt use boots but i had boat drop offs from our charter, got dropped on the reef a few times on the inside and had to walk a little, only got minor foot scratches, (not so minor on my behind :( ) , didnt find the reef to sharp but my mate got an urchin through a soft patch in his boot surfing "towns" in male town on day 1......the only urchin injury though

i second the food getting a bit boring, unless your a major fish fan get your fill of your favourite foods while at home haha, plenty of local shops to stock up on milos and oreos though :)

[megsy]

Well boys, this time next week, i'll be in boardies, surfing some warm waters in great waves (hopefully) in Maldives. I've been checking the reports & it's been double overhead the last few days (today is 9-10ft). I'll be taking plenty of video footage of my firewire quiver in the conditions & will put together a clip or two for all to see...stay tuned!!!!!

[Goanna]

And we look forward to the footage!
Wish I was the camera man

[prjwebb]

Well boys, this time next week, i'll be in boardies, surfing some warm waters in great waves (hopefully) in Maldives. I've been checking the reports & it's been double overhead the last few days (today is 9-10ft). I'll be taking plenty of video footage of my firewire quiver in the conditions & will put together a clip or two for all to see...stay tuned!!!!!

So jealous. Have fun Megsy!!!

[STC67]

Looking forward to the vids Meggsy. Hope the waves turn it on!

[Piha Local]

Bon Voyage and say hi to Tim from Hamish, [Piha Local]. At the swell size u are talking about even Baby Cokes [right out your front door] will be firing!

[delmarsurfer]

Hey megsy,
Currently riding a 5'6 Spitfire and considering moving down to the 5'4. Seems like I bought 1 size too big. 5'3, 140lbs, intermediate and improving, surf SoCal knee to head high.
Also, thinking of getting a 5'6 Hellfire as I want something to push my surfing and I really like the look, feel and reviews of the Hellfire. Plus watching your video shows what it can do in smaller surf.
I still want and need something that can paddle well and get me into smaller surf while my skills continue to improve.
My question is of your 3 boards (5'2" Sweet Potato, 5'4" Potatonator, 5'8" Hellfire) which one is your primary "go to" board in knee to waist high?
Ultimately I'd like one board that can do it all but it probably is best to have two. Maybe I'll keep the 5'4 Spitfire and the 5'6 Hellfire to see which one I like more or keep both...just not sure if there is too much overlap.

[Chris]

thanks for the stoke Megsy!!