So I used to ride longboards only and now I would like to get into a performance hybrid. Stats: 6'3, 215-220 Intermediate surfer, rides in VA Beach mainly (mush fest) I have been looking at getting a WRV Flying Nugget and I am not sure what size to get. Currently, I am riding a 6'0 firewire sweet potato at 51 liters...and it seems a bit big. I called up WRV and the guy I talked to didn't know what volumes the FN came in . So, below is some stats on the board that surfline had posted in a surfboard buyers guide: Length: 6'1" Width: 20 1/2" Thickness: 2 5/8" Tail: Winged Swallow Fins: Five-Fin Experience: Beginner to Expert Ideal Wave Size: Waist High to Overhead Ideal Wave Type: Thrives on Mushy Surf I was thinking I should get something around 6'4''. Can someone with more experience in smaller boards point me in the right direction? thanks
Are you looking to replace that SP as a small wave board? I never found the sales guys in WRV very well informed, Bigger guys (say over 185) and older guys really benefit from working with a shaper - particulary one who is a bigger guy or shapes alot for bigger guys. Some talented shapers who are smaller guys sometimes have trouble getting it right for the "Clydesdale Division" boys. Maybe talk to Mahady he is a bigger guy and makes good looking stuff for big EC guys. A second option is call Wayne Okamoto 310 308 9307 he is excellent at listening to the customer and getting it right - he provides a true "custom" -fast, excellent shaper and understands volume. At your size you are probably looking at somewhere around 35- 42 liters depending on a few variables (my guess) I saw a formula somewhere for determining rough vol for bigger guy boards as (Nose width+wide point+tail width/3) * length * .835 * Thickness * .865 / 60.02 = volume in liters good luck Jim
thanks for the info. the firewire volume calculator put me at 41L min - 49L max. I wasn't really able to find any other type of volume guide online. I am looking to keep the SP for stomach and below and the new board for stomach and above. Thing is I am trying to save some cash and if I get a Mahady, driving or shipping costs will bring the price pretty high. WRV is literally 5 mins down the road. I am gonna go into the shop and see if I can find someone else to talk to. Price is right at $500 and quality work. Just wish I could get a better size recommendation from their employees.
if you are sold on the wrv and do not want to go the local shaper route, at those dimensions size the nugget as you would a firewire dominator. 52 liters is a considerable amount of foam. a 6.4 sized up from the 6.1 dims would be about 40L and a 6'6 about 45L. i would say err on the larger side, go 6.6.
I have a 6'10" handmade WRV Fish (blue w/black), it's very fragile and dings very easily, although it's a nice / fun board, it's just too damn fragile IMO, I ride it occassionally but I don't like taking it out too often because I don't like how easily it gets banged up. I'm sure they have more solid board you can get, just my experience...
You might consider chatting with Bill Frierson. He is a great shaper and his shop is now right off Birdneck Road. He has forgotten more about shaping than most people know and he is reasonable price-wise. This is his website: http://friersondesigns.com/about.html
Can't go wrong with Mahady,For a little extra it will be worth it.I say come up to Jersey,catch some waves bring the cool dog and make a weekend out of it.
Go see Austin right down the street from wrv and get a board with some material in it, you will not be sorry. Austin can recommend the board right for you.
