Anyone else get some today...?

[jtran10]

J, was thinking about your question and thought of a few questions I shoulda asked before replying. Have you tried any other boards similar to that size? How are you doing on that 7'6"? What's driving the move down in size? Are you looking at that board because it's cheap or because you fondled it and love it? What about that 6'10"?

The drop down in size to a 6'4" will be a pretty big difference for paddle power and stability. Sometimes a shorter board ='s lack of paddle power on bigger days and can make for paddling in place against the current or being late on the drop and pitched into the flats, I have first hand experience in that area. The offset here is the better duck diving ability of a shorter board when done properly. If you have not ridden similar dimensions then try out a similar board and get a feel for what you want before dropping some cash. You might even be able to demo that board if you look around town

Piggity, thanks for the questions. Just saw these now. I'm surfing the 7 6 pretty consistently. I guess the real downfall of that board for me is that it's better in steep/larger waves than my LB, but still a bit long that late drops/steeper faces are a bit difficult. I.e. when waves are 4 foot or so, I'm often hoping I'm on the shoulder for a better ride on that board, than right at the peak. What I love is how playful it is once I'm on a wave. Not doing any cutbacks or anything, but just turning up and down the face mostly.

Thinking a smaller board solves my steep wave issue, but I haven't been on anything that small yet. Also had my eyes on a 6 4ish retro fish at Cbad pipelines yesterday (used, like $250 or 300). Would that be a good shape to look for to size down a bit? To be honest, I don't really know what a traditional shortboard vs. fish would really do for me besides the fish being an easier paddle.

Good thought on demoing boards around here. Will most shops offer that?

In college I worked at a ski shop, so I'm very conscious of going to a shop, getting personalized help, then buying the board online more cheaply than they've got it offered for. That's why I haven't really gone and talked to anyone about what my next board should be. Would love the help, but can't drop $600 right now.

[Piggity]

Just got out and it's super fun, nobody out and still plenty of waves in the south part of SD. Quick shots from the session, maybe a few more later

Good thought on demoing boards around here. Will most shops offer that?

I know some of the shops have demo's, plus there are demo days at the beaches every so often. Here is a list of the upcoming Firewire demo days, couple of the days are in Oceanside, looks like March 1st is the next one for you to check out
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/ne...ays-announced/

[icelanticskier]

nice!^^^^

grabbed another sesh this afternoon. buoy 9 feet @ 12 seconds now. a bit bigger than this am with head an a half sets. barely anyone out. wind was on it a bit adding some texture. paddle out was walls o whitewater to the horizon, but the 5'8 makes it easy. glad i grabbed a second sesh as i'll be skiing tomorrow. then waves through the weekend.

keep on keepin on yo!

rog

[Piggity]

I hesitate to post a surf pov but might as well share some of stoke from today's empty session, just me and a buddy. The wrist mount design sucks bad and todays mount malfunction made the vid even shakier, apologize for any motion sickness that ensues

[icelanticskier]

nice stoke piggers!!!

man i gotta find someone that'll take pics so i can figure out how to put em on here.

forecast changed for today from sunny to cloudy so my gal and i decided to not do a big drive to ski under cloudy skies and no new snow. the change in plans had her going to work today and me surfing

was pretty damn tired from the past 2 days, but after walking the dog down to the beach this am i was greeted with overhead surf and almost glassy, clean. thought after last nights big stormy-ish sesh that things wouldn't clean up at all, wrong.

ran back to the house and got some great waves. just a few folks out and the lefts were standing tall and walled. had one in particular that was very un-longsands. hollow-ish and actually sucking.
8 feet @ 12/13 seconds with a direct angle is such a treat for around here. easy paddleouts.

winds come on it this afternoon through tomorrow. thursday looks head and a half sets with better winds. friday looks solid head+ with perfect winds. saturday looks waist/chest with perfect winds. leftovers sunday perfect winds. holy moly. never have to leave the neighborhood!

rog

[Piggity]

Thanks man, weather and waves have been cooperating to bring the stokeage. Highlight of the day was slipping and falling in the drain pipe walking to the beach, wish I caught that on vid.

Headed out the door right now, slightly smaller but a few nugs rolling through and the weather and wind are perfecto. Beach day starts now

[jtran10]

nice vid piggity. Looks like some great waves.

Drive by ocean this morning, sets still coming in, about waist high or a bit lower. Clean conditions too. Want to get out after work but have a sick GF so TBD

[Ottime]

jtran, if you can get a demo, good for ya. I never knew of surf board demos. It is even rare to find decent demos.

I suggest getting a cheap, short, thick, wide board for cheap. Scan CL. Then sell it for cheap and buy another one. Until you start to figure out what you like. Learn how to buy a used board. Check for damage, and repairs. Look it over closely. Check for delams, weak spots, cracks, etc. If you find it has few, buy it. And learn how do do simple fiberglass repair.

I don't know much about models, but a 6'4" will ride much shorter than any 7' plus fun board. I've ridden a egg at 22" wide, but can't recall being on a short board that wide. At a certain point, too much width will make it not so great on step drops, and sluggish from rail to rail. 20.5" seems about the turning point to me. I prefer 19". Domed decks, with a little extra thickness help with the float. And minimal rocker helps with glide. Too little, though, and you will be digging the nose in the steep drops.

Anyway. It is about 12@19 right now.

[jtran10]

ottime - for example http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/3645695659.html ...?

[Ottime]

Yes and no. Price is right, but I'd say too little foam. 18.5 likes a good surfer on a pumping wave. But that is the idea. To give an idea on pricing, at $60, I'd expect you to kill any resale value within 6 months.

You know, to get an idea about shapes, board condition and pricing find a shop that has a big consignment rack. Give yourself an hour and go check out board. Talk to the shop rat. Find a time when they are not super busy. If you don't find a board, no big deal.

And dear god tonight was good. Looked up north and it was big and windy. Town was packed with crowds of folk sitting everywhere. I found a spot with 5 guys out. Maxed out at 12-15. Three bowls going. Outside was a few feet OH and fast. Next up was head high and a bit more refined. Inside was chest high gems. And they all were thick bowls. Never hit a rock and just kept getting some. The long paddle back sure kept everyone busy.

[Ottime]

Oh. And think about saving up that $600 to invest in something down the road when you figure out what you want. And get a bag for your board. It will keep it in much better shape much longer. And never leave it in the sun. And don't put the tip in the sand like in the movie North Shore. And don't hang your tail when you jump off some rocks.

[jtran10]

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/spo/3645591211.html

another option?

[Piggity]

Hugh covered the noticeable use and abuse but aside from that, the Rusty Piranha is a really fun board. I had 2 of them in the past and really liked it for anything up to HH+. If you could get a piranha in the 6'6"-6'10" range then you should have a look at it. It's somewhat of a hybrid that leans more toward the fishy side

Really fun waves today, SH-HH and plenty of waves. Views weren't too bad either

[P_McPoser]

Headed to Bali in the morning to surf small waves on a loooooong board again

[Ottime]

Damn tapatalk multi posting

[Ottime]

I agree with Hugh here.

The rusty is beat. That crease/dent in the middle could be a buckle which means life is limited. If it is just abuse from the living room and you could get him under $100 it could be worth it. I think the length is fine, but Pigs could be right on you needing more. Anyway, at sub $100 you get yourself a board until it dies, a quad set of Futures and a leash.

The other board Hugh posted looks a bit narrow, but not nearly as bad as the first one. It look to be in great condition for $200, and epoxy is tougher than polyester. But if the shape sucks, then that would be a bummer. Best way to asses a board IMO is to feel the foil and rails. As long as the curves are smooth and continuous, the boar will ride. How well depends on a lot more aspects of the shape. But you can surf almost anything with a decent foil shape.

[Long duc dong]

I will concur with what Piggity says about a Rusty Piranha. I surf one in a 6'4" as my everyday board. Sometimes I would prefer a 6'2", but it does not bother me too much. I'm a mediocre surfer, and stocky, so I need the extra float.

A Piranha in the 6'6" to 6'10" range might be just the ticket. At you stage extra foam is still really a positive. I made the mistake of going too small too fast, and it stunted my development. A big fat fish will be a nice transition from a funboard, and it will be something you can keep in your quiver for small days as you improve.

[jtran10]

thanks guys, all good advice. I'm gonna see if I can get this guy with the Rusty below 100. Seems like that'd be a good "have a shorter board to try and beat it to death" type of thing

[Piggity]

Weather is perfect right now, not a breath of wind combo'd with fun waves. Nothing epic but 70 degrees, glassy and SH-HH waves for days. I think I just caught 30 waves in 90 minutes, I kinda know what it feels like to be Rog for a day. Shit eating grin right now


Yesterday. 4th and 1, punt team



Today's view. I passed this guy on the beach and pointed him to the peak that had been working all morning, looks like he scored a fun inside left

[jtran10]

Awesome piggity. Heading out after work today, but it's a big windier up here in Cbad.

Got a response from the guy with the Rusty on CL. I asked if he'd go sub 100. "There is no crease or major damage, just normal wear. The board isn't going to die anytime soon. I will consider 100.00 but that is as low as I will go."

6 3, 20.25 wide, 2.25/35ish good dims. Piggity, you think that's going too small though, or good compromise at that price?

Honestly I'm not too concerned about the board not lasting longer than several seasons. Just want to start dialing in to what type of surfing I'm after.

[PowerWhore7]

Looks like everyone is having fun and gettin sum! Super stoked to be down south for this week, things look like they are picking up and with the combo swells OC should be a blast. Well, except for the crowds...

[Piggity]

JT, I think it will be small. It will probably be a good next step down after this one. Difference even between a 6'3" and 6'8" can be pretty big sometimes, depending on the volume. I don't know anything about them but this shop is kinda near you and they are listed on Firewire's website as a demo center, call them and see how much it costs and then demo a board in the mid 6's to see if you like it or not. (clairemont surfshop also has demo's but they're further from you. I'm not suggesting you buy a firewire but they seem to have plenty of demo's here in SD for you to try a smaller board out. I also have a few boards in the 6'2"-6'4" you could try

CONCEPT SPECIALTY BOARD SHOP
9am - 7pm - DAILY
215 W. D Street Encinitas, CA 92024 - 760.753.6870




PW, welcome back to warm weather

[Ottime]

Jtran. Check the board closely. Run your fingered along the pressure dings. If in any of the the the fiberglass is separated from the foam, those are delams, which tend to spread and create weak spots. Especially that one on the bottom. That is not "normal wear and tear." Many things could cause that, but not surfing and proper storage and travel. Just try to make sure it is is solid shape.

As for lasting several seasons, that is not super likely. I'd expect two years at most.

As for the board itself, I know nothing about the shape. The tail block looks narrow to me, but that is from looking at the pics. I assume you are keepin your other boards and plan to use this for dumpy shore break. Personally, the length seems fine, but I forget what learning is like.

[jtran10]

several seasons i.e summer and next fall

Is a surf "season" 1 full calendar year? Never thought about that one...

Think I'll offer this guy $75 just because and see if he bites. That seems like a fine deal to me, even if the board lasts several months.

piggity, might take you up on that if you don't mind..I remember you had boards you wanted to get rid of too. Free at all this Saturday?

[Piggity]

Forecast for saturday looks kinda fun. I have a few boards to choose from in that size range

Edit: If you can score that board for cheap then don't let my suggestions hold you up because the piranha is a really fun board, you'll definitely catch some great waves and grow into it. My thoughts about you trying a board of similar size was mainly because you mentioned surfing 1-2 times per week, a shorter board might mean a longer learning curve unless your logging 4-5+ sessions per week.