Great board waist to head high in chop or glass, I've noticed if it gets overhead it tends not to hold as well and bounce a little. This is also because you'll be riding it shorter than your other boards, but overall worth getting.
Ive had mine for a little over a year now and its definitely my go to board when the waves are under head high. Rides like a skateboard and is my most maneuverable board in my quiver. I would reccomend one for anyone looking for a small wave board
go shorter than you think you can...depending on your ability, i'd say go 5'6" or 5'7". be wary of that thin, light glass job, though. i put my foot through the deck of my last dumpster diver.
i got one a couple of summers ago. like some others have said, its good for around thigh high and up to about head high depending on the conditions. ive ridden it in bigger surf easily up to head+, but if you start getting into some late steep drops or get some good hollow barrels it tends to nose dive it a lot more off of the drop b/c the lack of rocker throughout the board. i think its definitely a board to have in the quiver if you like the feel of a shortboard and dont want to get too fishy in the smaller stuff. but if you are surfing weak musy small surf, it wont perform. but then again not many boards perform in that kinda stuff unless you have a longboard or maybe a minisimmons
Have you looked at the Rusty Dwart? It is a similar board, might save you a few bucks over the CI. It can be a little squirrelly, but playful. I have a 5'10 and it has been great in all types of surf.
+1 on the neckbeard. Bought one last week and love this thing. Got 4 really good sessions on it , great board for our fl coditions. I'm 158lbs and got a 5'7, perfect size.
Overhyped The Dumpster Diver is the most overhyped board ever. Dane can ride it. The Neckbeard works well because it actually has lower tail rocker and Vee off the tail to help lay that wide board on rail. There are way beetter options, CIs are typically built to fall apart, they use super light glassing and unless you have deep pockets you might consider getting something different. One of the best high performance board shapers (not just my opinion Matt Bilos thinks so too thats why he hired him away from WRV) just moved back East and is residing in Virgina Beach. Tommy Moore was WRVs head guy for 10 years plus, then moved out west to shape for Matt Biolos (MAYHEM). Tommy Moore doesnt have the marketing budget to contend with the big boys but its because every board with his name on it he actually shaped, he has no ghost shapers working under him. Build quality is as good as it gets. PM me I can give you his number. TMoore shapes is back on the right coast for now, so get them while you can, i had to pay for shipping from Cali for years (well worth it) so I am stoked hes back, I just got a board and have two more on order.
I'm not saying im going to buy it from CI, but just reviews on how the board works because LOTS of shapers make the same thing, but just call it something different.
i've had both a dumpster diver & a neckbeard, & definitely prefer my neckbeard. for one, it seriously paddles better, & i got it as a tri-quad option. plus, since it was custom, i had it glassed heavier than normal (6x4 deck, 4oz bottom). i DESTROY decks, so CI's UL glassing is a no go for me (i've put soft spots on a deck after one session).
