another surfboard question

alawhead · Since 19 May 2008 23 Posts

crew, thought i would ask this question on this forum since i got great feedback last year when i had a kite question. i am looking for a all around surfboard for the eastcoast. mostly small shorebreak and occasional waisthigh stuff. at 5'11'' and 190 i was looking at the slingshot products(cerleritas) and the wainmann board. what have you guys found to be a "all-around" board. thanks

Chooch · Tue Feb 02, 10 6:24 pm

For the Wainman Hawaii Surf it all depends on your skill set.

If you feel comfortable jibing strapped or strapless the go for the 5'9" or 6'1". Both boards are more of a thin gun shape. It makes jibing a bit harder for a beginner but it makes up for it in the ability to carry a lot of speed without vibration as well as snappier turns.

If you are newer to the surf thing then I would go for the 6'0" surf. Its one of the Wainman Hawaii Wide models. Its going to turn a bit slower than the guns but it will be a lot easier to get your jibes dialed on. Plus the added volume in the wide model will be great for those light thermal days on the east coast.

-Brian

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

I think its more a question of what size kite you fly. The smaller the kite generally means the smaller the board, but you need to consider the wave conditions. So many constantly changing variables, so many opinions. Just get one and start ridding, you will figure it out,
To me surf boards are just like women.
So very sexy to look at and a lot of fun to ride.
My problem is that I have a hard time ridding just one SURFBOARD!
Try everything and anything, they are all different from the short and thin to the long and wide, and everything in between. There is one board out their that I have not had my way with yet, I so what to ride the Skillet,
Good luck to ya.

DrewB · Since 16 Aug 2006 384 Posts PDX Obsessed

Good info from Chooch and Twin-Fin. For east coast surf, I'd stick with something wide, flat rocker, smaller than 6' and minimal side cut.

Loose the straps!

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1867 Posts XTreme Poster

As one who is now fully addicted to strapless surfboards, I would say you can't have too many. Try and pick up two used boards, rather than one new board, and have each be different. Honestly, they all work, and I think it takes awhile to figure out what style you prefer. For me, I have never felt that a 6 to 6' 2" board feels big in any wind conditions, and snappier turns can be had by strapless foot placement: back foot back, and front foot front = leverage = snap.

I think Chooch/Twin give sage advice--go bigger, at least for now.

Welcome to a whole new world.

Eric

TWIN-FIN · Since 24 May 2006 805 Posts Portland, OR Hot Monkey

genek wrote:

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Haha, better put some clean pants on! You should definitely not watch the surfing video I posted in the best of utube thread. I got so stoked to ride waves after watching it. Can't wait!

barfly · Since 31 Mar 2005 1214 Posts Portland BRACKISH

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I like smaller boards if I am going to ride them straped 5'6" and under. Straped you have to stand in one place so you have to decide on were to put the straps in the back to make the board turn right or forward to make it plane right especially up wind and into chop. On boards over 5'6" I find these two positions are quite a bit different. The down side to these small boards is learning to jibe them. unstraped In the waves I like a 6' to 6'6" I can ride with my back foot forward and then step back on the waves. If I ride a bigger board straped in the surf when I am not on the wave I have my back foot forward of the back strap.

lineman · Since 05 Feb 2009 170 Posts Stoked

I live on the East Coast, lots of people here have the Celeritas & love it.

kochease · Since 03 Jul 2008 760 Posts In Ft. Stevens, OR Opinionated

I would go with a FISH board. F-One 5'2" FISH is a perfect all around board. Get the float and stability of a larger board with the snap of a short board. Will be easy to learn to jibe on as well as for strapless. I have only ridden it strapless and love it!!!! Very Happy

Also another of my favorites is the Wainman 5'8".

Gman · Since 11 Feb 2006 4911 Posts Portland Unstrapped

alawhead · Since 19 May 2008 23 Posts

thanks for the replies, obviously hard to figure out with so many choices. over here in maine, usually fly the rev 13 in the summer so i think something alittle bigger would be better. i'll have to look around for some used cheaper boards to try in the beginning. thanks again

Chooch · Wed Feb 03, 10 12:32 pm

Where in Maine do you ride....I got a handful of sessions at Pine Point when I lived in NH. It a sweet spot when the thermal decides to kick in

bulae99 · Since 12 Jul 2006 1692 Posts I give out bad advice.

You should try to demo several different broads, but go with the tri fin set up as it's the go to shape for most guys.

The 6-2 SST was shaped with a relatively flat rocker, so it's easy to get up on strapless.

If you plan on riding in the Ocean right away you'll want to use straps. Some boards have only limited inset's which limits your strap placement.

Start out with a bread and butter thruster in the 5-11 to 6-2 range.

Chooch · Wed Feb 03, 10 12:53 pm