Channel Islands Weirdo Ripper vs. Sperm whale

[Snownskijunkie]

Hi guys, anyone familiar with the Channel Islands Weirdo Ripper or Channel Islands Sperm whale?

I'm very new to surfing and I set aside some of my wild man budget (the cash I use to go nuts in the mountains) this year to get a surfboard and I want to get the right one.

From what I can tell the Sperm Whale is a better board for cruising and taking it easy and the Weirdo Ripper is better for extreme surfing, but might have extra volume to help me learn. I haven't narrowed it down to these two boards only, they're just the two I've seen at surf shops that seem like they might work for me.

If you've got any other suggestions on good boards that will last me a few years and not become un-usable once I get okay at surfing (I.E. a 10 foot soft top board or something) please share, and I really appreciate it.

[supermodel159]

Where do you live? What is your home break?

[icelanticskier]

ummm, ah, well if yer learnin, don't go near those two boards above. you want an easy paddling, high volume, low entry rocker board in the 8+ foot range.

that weirdo ripper is a bit like my quiver of one board and i love it. that thing would rip knee/thigh to head and a half no prob, imo. but not a board for a newbie.

rog

[shera]

I'm no expert, but I have my own plan as a beginner surfer. When summer starts I'm gonna rent/borrow/whatever a ten foot soft-top for a few days. At the same time I'm gonna start looking for a 9' classic malibu style longboard to buy. Like this one: http://www.nspsurfboards.com/longboard-92.html

I plan to keep that board. Depending how my summer goes I might start looking into making a quiver with the next step shorter, but I expect to have a lot of fun with that board and will be totally ok if that's all I ride. When I watch good longboarders I see plenty I want to learn. The old movies are really cool too, the style of them.

Oh I'm also wanting to get a sup, but for flat water in San Diego Bay, just like a boat to tool around on. I really like the idea of standing up on the water to look around.

[shera]

Here's a look in real life of the board. I'm 5'8".

[icelanticskier]

do you own that nsp?^^^^^

those are actually kinda weird to learn on. they have quite a bit of rocker throughout and a pretty small sweetspot, imo. they tend to plow water vs gliding over it compared to say a walden longboard. the walden magic models are the shit. buy one from 8-9' in the slx epoxy and you have a board you can ride from shin high to double o head+ no prob. they just plain work.

rog

[BCJC]

Here's a look in real life of the board. I'm 5'8".

you look better in the first photo

[shera]

do you own that nsp?^^^^^

those are actually kinda weird to learn on. they have quite a bit of rocker throughout and a pretty small sweetspot, imo. they tend to plow water vs gliding over it compared to say a walden longboard. the walden magic models are the shit. buy one from 8-9' in the slx epoxy and you have a board you can ride from shin high to double o head+ no prob. they just plain work.

rog

Very interesting. Not my board. We went kayaking one day from the harbor over to Launiupoko and there were a couple on the beach so we traded toys. I got my best ride ever on that board. Magical. I was actually able to turn it, which must have been the rocker. But also felt good glide. I don't know if that was the awesome wave I was on or what. It was a much nicer break there than Lahaina. I rode a bunch of boards in Lahaina and I know exactly what you mean about the rocker digging into the water. I didn't like that feeling at all.

Those photos were taken at Lahaina beach one day when I randomly saw the board again. Not from Launiupoko.

When summer comes and I shop craigslist hopefully I can consult w you guys.

[shera]

you look better in the first photo

Hehe, I thought he looked pretty good.

[icelanticskier]

Very interesting. Not my board. We went kayaking one day from the harbor over to Launiupoko and there were a couple on the beach so we traded toys. I got my best ride ever on that board. Magical. I was actually able to turn it, which must have been the rocker. But also felt good glide. I don't know if that was the awesome wave I was on or what. It was a much nicer break there than Lahaina. I rode a bunch of boards in Lahaina and I know exactly what you mean about the rocker digging into the water. I didn't like that feeling at all.

Those photos were taken at Lahaina beach one day when I randomly saw the board again. Not from Launiupoko.

When summer comes and I shop craigslist hopefully I can consult w you guys.

good stuff SheRa, consult with us anytime. i love talking boards/board design even if i only own/ride one at a time.

stove goin, coffee down. buoy 9 feet @ 11 seconds and clean this am sunny surfin with a coupla babes this am, can't wait! surf last night was soooooo fun!

rog