Rode a Longboard 3 times in my life so dont know much about longboards. Looking to get in the water more often in the summer for those non-shortboardable days - read not-so-fun-on-a-shortboard-days - I plan to mostly use it on small days but will definitely experiment on bigger days here and there. Aside from dings and size (thinking 8'6-9'0) will the shape of the board make much of a difference? really know nothing about longbards so any info would be appreciate. P.S. hit me up if your around Mo. County with a longboard for sale
Yes it will absolutely make a difference! There are many factors that can affect how a longboard will ride including, but not limited to, outline, rail profile, bottom contours, volume, glassing schedule, etc. Longboards generally range from high performance to all arounder to classic noserider. What exactly are you looking to do with this longboard? This way we can better help you make a better decision.
I'm mostly looking to ride the longboard like a shortboard. Turns/ snaps cutbacks etc.. noseriding looks cool too
Got my first longboard for exactly the same reason around 12 years ago. I would recommend a single fin setup with a double concave bottom and beveled rails for the length of the board. 9'6" works for me but that more personal preference. This is what I ride and I have found it works well in all conditions, although it can be a tough paddle out sometimes. One warning though...after awhile you'll find it hard to switch back to a "regular" shortboard and you may not want to.
Thanks for the reply Surferdann. Take that last part back so that we dont get into a shortboard vs longboard thread
Some will disagree with me on this, but I really dont think you can ride a longboard like a shortboard (i.e. turns, snaps, cutbacks) when its too small to have fun on a shortboard. You're talking under waist high at that point, riding tiny little shoulders and pockets. You just cant do high performance longboarding on little 2 foot lumps and sections. Performance longboarding needs speed and open faces to work with. If you want a longboard for tiny waves get a flat rockered cruiser. If you want something thats even more fun than a longboard for shin-knee high waves, get a mini simmons. That you WILL be able to turn and cut back in 1-2 foot waves.
Come by my shop in Wall and check out my longboards, shortboards and everything in between. You'll be able to see different boards for different conditions and hopefully it will get you closer to what you are looking for. Tom
Id go for a 9' High Performance Quad if I were you. Ive ridden other fin set ups on a LB and they just didnt compare. Much faster and responsive, angles off nicely(even in smaller surf) and if you try it in bigger surf you'll be surprised at what it'll do. Yea I'm Quad biased but i'm a big guy and they just work better for me.
good advice! the high performance longboard is really only good in chest high or over waves unless you are highly skilled. stomach high and below, imo, is great for the cruiser/noserider. if you are interested look up high performance longboard surfing on youtube or mini simmons and try to figure out what you want.
