Long Boarders: Kick me some knowledge please

if you are riding this on small days you won't need side bites with a 9" center fin. side bites help with hold on bigger waves and enhance performance. when it comes to logs, i only go up to waist high max before i move to shortboard, so don't need performance really (not to say 2+1 longboards are a bad idea - to each their own). i'm a classic single fin guy and a go to fin for me is the Greenough 4A on my 9'0. as mentioned, try different fins on a log, the right one can be amazing the wrong one awful. enjoy the ride.

 

^^^ That's my 2nd go to fin. Got the California classic in the 9'0 and the Greenough 4A in my 6'3 but it works great in both boards.

 

i'm digging this 9" mikey detemple fin in my noserider lately:

http://www.surfboards.com/moredetai...y_DeTemple_MD2_Longboard_Fin_9_in._Green.html

 

I like the look of that fin, I might have to try one of those out. Thanks for posting that.

 

I had one like that once, with the cheater fins. Usually a "performance" oriented longboard, which is a little confusing of a concept but actually a ton of fun to ride. You can crank it off the tail with that shortboard feel and still get a little "snap" in your turns. I got rid of it for a true 60's style log. On my current single fin (noserider) even if I am all the way back my turns feel super slow motion. You can also pump a little to generate speed on a performance longboard, if I pump on my log it stays put and just look goofy, you just have to put that thing in the steepest part of the wave and let the wave do the work. I can't imagine living on the east coast without a longboard.

 

Yim Yames don't surf

 

It's all about speed. You wanna make those sections on a mushy wave that seems to have no power? you're gonna need to go single. it's just so much faster. Maybe the side bites will come in handy when its overhead and steep but prob not . happy hotdoggin!

 

I surf almost only a longboard due to three major shoulder surgerys. That being said, i prefer to use two small side bites with a smaller center fin then usually you would find on a longboard. Keeping in mind that is when i surf a more progrssive style of surfing. I have just a big ole center fin on a different board when my goal is more "ole school" lb suring such as drop knee turns and getting up front. Just my personal prefrence but in no way an telling you thats the set up you should use. Try different combos to see what works / you enjoy the most

 

I am a shortboarder who rides a longboard on longbard days ( lined up knee to chest high). My daughter has a single fin with a lot of rocker 9' longboard. I put a 8" Ames Squirrel Cutaway in it and it rides very very loose. I want to get a 9" version of the SC for lined up chest high plus days when its offshore and requires a bit more bite on the bottom turn after fighting a headwind on the way down. The SC gives you lots of snap and drive, and you can do real smooth cutbacks. I love it. I am planning on getting a smaller center fin ( 5 - 6") for my hplb that I am starting to glass. It is for bigger ( head high plus ) lined up clean swell days on those crowded weekends during hurricane season. A wave catching crowd control machine. I suggest you try the 9" SC as a single fin and you"ll be happy.

 

Noseriders generally have the scooped out front. But you can technically nose-ride any log with enough volume and balance. Hell, I can almost nose-ride my 6'8" egg on small clean days.
I found this on another forum when I was looking to have my shaper make me a noserider: https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6782EB4114C39F6C

 

A flatter rocker allows for more "tip time". Your fin will cavitate if you have lots of rocker and get up on the nose. There are tail foil features that LBCrew has expounded on which cause water to flow over the tail and give it more hold, and add ons like tail blocks, that will make a board easier to perch on the nose for extended time. And a big concave under the front third of the board will give it lots of lift. It is a magical feeling, noserideing, especially over a shallow reef in clear water, just like flying while standing straight up. Kinda Jesus or George Jetson like.

 

Noserider/logs different from hplb's in that they are usually heavily glassed, wider, thicker, single fin. A noserider will also tend to have whats called reverse rocker. Where the tail has the kick vs the nose.

 

If the leash is just going to be for when your wife takes a spin, I would just nab an extra off another board you have. That is, unless you expect your wife will be noseriding and need the extra length.

 

congrats on that super fresh new sticker dog

 

you did good...That 9 in SC should work fine as a single...be sure to try it that way....Jai