What Would You Do?

[RobG]

so, i spent my summer down in NC enjoying the warm water and surfing just about everyday and now im back up in eastern PA having to drive to NJ like im used to. my go to board has been my 5'9" x 18 7/8" x 2 1/4" Merrick Flyer (im 5'8" 140lbs) for pretty much everyday down there whether it be knee high or chest high. i havent gotten to try it out on a bigger swell and im not sure how it will hold up to the upcoming swell since they market it as more of a small to medium wave board. i do have a standard 6' shortboard about 18 1/8" wide and 2 1/8" thick or so but i havent ridden it yet do to the lack of swell.

so my question is should i try out my new ride or just stick to what im used to? i guess i could bring both with me but i hate the idea of paddling in and switching to another board and missing all those waves. what would you do?

also, like i said ive been down in the 80+ degree NC water all summer and just got back up here. are you guys still trunking it or should i start breaking out some rubber?

[wallysurfr]

the bigger the better I would say. I'm 5'8" and will be riding my 6'2" and still feel that may not be big enough. I'd be happier with a 6'4". This swell is being underforecast and if you paddle out on a 5'11" you will be sliding all over the place in my opinion. In 2-3 days there is going to be a hurricane off of the coast and they are only calling for a little overhead? I would prepare for the big stuff.

[surfordie]

Just trunks for me still. Water is supposedly 76 in South Jersey, but I don't think it's THAT warm. I am good in trunks from about 68 up. I figure there are people swimming in the ocean in just trunks in 68+ degree water, so I should be able to surf in just shorts when the waters those temperatures too. Granted a lot of swimmers don't stay in the water as consecutively long as the surfers, but whatever. generally it's just trunks for me in Jersey between late June all the way until the end of September.

[fallingsky]

the bigger the better I would say. I'm 5'8" and will be riding my 6'2" and still feel that may not be big enough. I'd be happier with a 6'4". This swell is being underforecast and if you paddle out on a 5'11" you will be sliding all over the place in my opinion. In 2-3 days there is going to be a hurricane off of the coast and they are only calling for a little overhead? I would prepare for the big stuff.

I think I'm gonna wear my life jacket

[wallysurfr]

yeah 6.2 ft. @ 14 seconds is going to produce more than a little overhead (6-7 ft.) with occasional 1-3 ft. overhead high sets (8-10 ft.). Call me crazy but I think we are probly going to be seeing some 15 foot faces out there.

[swabby]

Can't comment on the right board size but the water is warm. Surfed with a shorty last night in Monmouth County and I was way too hot - should have gone with trunks and rash guard like everyone else. Choose your spot well, I thnik with the swell size that there will be block long close outs in most areas by Sunday.

[GnarActually]

it doesnt matter at all. its not like its going to be double over head. just head high maybe a little over head. your regular board should be fine.

[wedge1]

if you're 5'8 and have any idea what you're doing a 6'0 should be more than enough for head plus (6-8) foot surf...paddle hard, don't puss out, and lean back on your fins. 90% of it is commitment.

[rDJ]

I used to own a Flyer. Got really squirelly for me around head high. I'd go with the shortboard or drop in some bigger fins on the Flyer. At 140 lbs maybe the K3's or any of the 5's (PC-5's FG-5's). I agree with johnny that the swell is not overcalled. We'll likely see a few feet overhead (exactly as Swellinfo has forecasted although some standout spots might get bigger) and your 6'0" should be fun. 15' faces is a gross exaggeration. Bill was DOH and that was a Cat 4 hurricane that came about 700 miles closer to our coast. Try out your shortboard on Saturday in the smaller stuff and if you like, use it on Sunday when the swell peaks.

[wallysurfr]

yeah cause it's only going to be head high....

Just remember this is not windswell... it's long period ground swell.