surftech phenom 5'4?

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

pretty close to picking up a surftech phenom 5'4. any thoughts on using grom boards for kiting? 5'4 long X 17mid X 2 thick.

Bonetti · Since 29 Apr 2007 411 Posts So. Cal./Oregon Obsessed

Looks like a sweet board!!!! You going to put straps on it?

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

no straps!

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

If you weigh less than 155 then OK, otherwise go with more volume.

saleeba · Since 05 Mar 2006 238 Posts Masshole Stoked

weigh 165 and am 5'5.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

Oops sorry for the ninja edit.

I'd say go with the 5-6 or something even bigger.
You want some float during low speed transitions.

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1216 Posts Portland BRACKISH

I've had a 6'0" Webber Surftech thruster for a couple of seasons. It is about 2-3/8"x17". Basically a grom board for typical Oregon conditions. I'm 6' 175# and kite at the coast. It is my larger wave, heavy wind board. Unless I am well powered (which means same wind I'd need as a twin tip) and have big, steep waves, this board is really too small.

For the kind of wind and waves we get up on the N coast in the summer, I like a 6'2"-6'4" with some volume and hard rails at the tail; squash, to rounded pin for "skating" and trimming. I'd echo Hein and say you need a bigger board.

The coast is different than the gorge so I'd take that into account. I see a lot of smaller surf boards out there which seem ideal for swell riding in heavy winds. But for your size, I'm pretty sure you'd be happier with a board longer than 5'8".

scottnorby · Fri Apr 10, 09 5:30 pm

could not agree more with Barfly...
More volume.
Grom board is too small and you would have to be powered the entire time.

The surfboard, in waves, should be a board you could literally paddle into a wave on....or you will be toting, schlogging, and way too powered to ride legit surfstyle.

In my humble o.

As for the gorge....wind chop waves..not groundswell......I really have no idea.
But I would assume you could ride smaller because you can't really ride wind chop like a wave without power in the kite......??

Confused

And maybe you need to fit into tighter choppy spaces?

They are two completely different styles of riding a surfboard.

I ride 6'2---6'4 hybrid swallow tail---or a 6'6 fish (y quad)

The 6'2 needs good wind and waves at least shoulder high with shape.
The others can be ridden in waves that lack hollow shape.

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

Couple of questions for the coast guys :

What do you think of boards designed for smaller surf ? ie. wider with fuller rails & less rocker ( thinking CI flyer 2, Rusty piranha, etc.)

How bout fin set up - quad or thruster ? Does one design hold against the kite & track better than the other ?

Looking for board to surf in smaller 'summer' waves that will also work well w/ kite. I'm 5'10 and 180#. Thinking 6'2 Channel Islands Flyer II.

Thanks Cool

Chris

Ben · Since 28 Jun 2005 43 Posts Hood River

Boardrider, I have that Flyer II and it works great in speedy stuff, unreal board. Let me know if you would like to take it for a spin. It gets a bit long in small stuff though. Check out the Xanadu Rocky; http://www.surftech.com/boardDetails.php?bid=SURFBDS+%3A+L0480-0508-XAN&type=SURFBDS&shaper=Xanadu+Surf+Designs&skill=&weight=&rshape=&cond=&qual= It is a great small wave / lighter wind board. Here is a new toy that is coming for small wave summer fun.... [/img][/url]

boardrider · Since 05 Apr 2006 1034 Posts Ventura, CA XTreme Poster

oh man - more decisions. That custom looks like it's going to be sweet.

Cool looking tail on that Xanadu.

Ben · Since 28 Jun 2005 43 Posts Hood River

Works good. If your coming through LC I have a 5'10" you can take for a spin.