Arlington strapless Orzeckian railgrabs

buttersmoothcarver · Since 08 Oct 2008 246 Posts Stoked

IMO, You're board size shouldn't matter to much, although anything over 21" wide may reduce quick slashing cut backs. I have 5'2, 5'11(favorite), and 6'4 custom polyester boards. Its hard to find a production board that has both high performance and durability. Strapless air riding will destory all boards, having a quiver of beater polyester boards (with good fins) that you can cheaply repair and not care too much about is my style.

Ryan · Since 14 Jul 2005 537 Posts Oregon Addicted

what he (Brad) said. I have a 5'10" that is my go to for nearly all riding. Im 5'10" and 145 lbs.

Its mostly personal but having a little more board helps in my mind especially when things start to glass off. The bigger boards, especially wide boards, actually may be an advantage if you are into strapless airs. The additional size and surface area really help keep it in place and on your feet when in the air.

I think your 6'0 should be just fine Very Happy

4Stringer/KipWinger · Since 27 Apr 2005 541 Posts Hood River Addicted

Okay. Thanks for input. Looks like I have no excuse than to be attempting strapless airs. I'm sure this has been covered, but in the spirit of spring/summer questions that get asked every year, any recommended youtube viewing for the novice strapless air?

nickdward · Since 11 Aug 2008 130 Posts Seattle Stoked

rorzeck · Since 26 Sep 2006 36 Posts

Brad is spot on. Strapless riding, especially with getting airborne in mind will eat up surfboards. Don't get to attached to any of them but accumulate lots of them. As you learn you you will start to figure out how to land softly, but just as you think your gonna stop breaking boards, you start going bigger or you will start to learn a new move, and the carnage starts again. Personally, I prefer a board with a wider symmetrical outline, wide nose and wide tail, for free riding like we do in the Gorge, as they seem to feel more balanced in the air. They also tend to be more stable for tacks and they are generally really good in smaller waves and onshore wind conditions. Light is right when it comes to flight! Light boards definitely stick to your feet better when you present the bottom to the wind.

Anyway, get a board, or two, or three or four, and dedicate the summer to riding with NO straps. Pop, kite placement, timing, everything is just a little different without straps so if your gonna go down the surfboard strapless road, I suggest quitting your straps "cold turkey". Every strapless trick seems to require thousands of crashes, so start now and by fall you'll be killing it!

FYI: My favorite Gorge board is 5' 6" x 19". Play with your fins as they dramatically change slide, bite, drive, etc.. Mine is a tri-fin w/ a smaller center fin. This really loosens things up.

See you on the water

Randy

cosmodog · Since 06 Oct 2005 204 Posts Stoked

I really like the Firewire surfboards with the wood rails (~5'10"x18.5") I buy them cheap (used or on clearance) then beef them up with carbon or kevlar on the deck to prevent heel dents and add a deck pad. Great for strapless airs and other silly tricks, but they really stand out in the surf.

I did manage to break on in half in the SPI surf this spring - but Doug put it back together (~$100) and it still rides great. If you need a board fixed in SPI, I highly recommend Doug (rides Cabs, hangs out at the jetty with a trailer full of dogs).