If you do go 9' plus, please be aware of the folks surfing around you and paddling out behind you. A 9' longboard with a 9' leash gives you a 20 foot kill radius in all directions. The key to success with a longboard is learning to control it. Not just when your trimming on a wave, but when your falling or paddling through whitewater. Letting go of the board and relying on your leash should be your absolute last option. cheers, and welcome
It's more like 9 for the log plus 9 for the leash plus another 5.5 to 6.5 for the gromp So that's a kill zone of up to 25 feet if the leash stretches a tad.
o berry HH is accounting for the extra slack due to an improprely tied leg rope string. Common newb error. Triple knotte that sucker. Always.
Plus my knee joint could prob stretch out another foot...at least. I'm coming into this surfing thing brand new fellas, brand new, so my abilities are practically zero. Been out less than 5 times. But I'm going for it with limited aspirations, I'm persistent, not so feeble, totally want to stay out of the way of you big guns, have tremendous respect for the ocean, like to swim... Thanks for suggesting 9' board, I'm leaning that route...wanna get an older used one that's not too dorky/kooky, though I'm totally dorky/kooky right now. You guys have given me a lot of stuff, so thanks for your time and patience...I really appreciate it.
Keep the Ricky Carroll... He's a great shaper and the board will be "fun" down the road. Get another long(er) board. I started surfing at 48... 4 plus years ago. Started on an 8'6 HPLB (a Ricky Carroll) Wish I had started on a longer board with more nose but I didn't know any better and didn't have these mugs to get "advise" from. Don't take anything that is negative too seriously, watch your grammer... Stay out of better surfers' ways and eventually, if they see you out and see you sincerely trying and improving, they will call you over into "the line-up." Now get off my peak, KOOK! (that's a joke... insert sarcastic emoticon here)
Sadly, the median age of this kindergarten is closer to your age than you think. There's some value amidst the chatter. I met a guy this summer who was 73, started surfing at 71 with his grandkids. I'm 52, but I've got several decades of experience under my belt. 9' is probably a good call, except paddling out through the surf can be a real b!tch. Look on youtube for turtle roll. You'll need that when it gets big. (And maybe someday, sidogg will teach you the turtle take-off!) Otherwise, learn how to find rips and time lulls and you'll make it out. Keep yourself in shape when you aren't surfing, that'll help. Definitely brush up on surf etiquette/rules and don't break them. Have fun!
Two more questions, both about (beginner) longboarding here in New Jersey. 1. Any specific recommendations as far as a 9' single-fin (used) that might work well for me here in Jersey as a good all round board, a keeper? It seems like the choices are staggering, like searching for a needle in a haystack. Again, I'm in my early 50's, a fit 165 lbs. Looking to learn to smoothly cruise some waves and stay in shape, nothing fancy. 2. Any particular areas from Sandy Hook to Spring Lake that beginners tend to go? Again, thanks for sharing your time and patience.
Agreed about keeping the Ricky Caroll. Might as well start building a quiver. I always regretted getting rid of boards afterward. You very rarely get what its worth to you. Imho. Just like most surf spots if you show up there on a regular basis you will see and meet and get acquainted with the mainstays. Be respectful and in time you will get yours. Get a thicker suite boots n gloves too and your season will be longer and you'll be able to get out more as the crowds dwindle. You just need to keep plugging along. Keep lookin at craigslist and even ebay. I picked up 2 brand new boards off ebay w a triple travel bag for the price of one board. CL i got a longboard recently a beauty 9' bunger for $60 n the guy gave me a 6'8" wrv just because he wanted it to go to someone who cared about them.
Don't get a log. Get a watertight fiberglass 22" wide longboard with some concave under the nose, and v in the tail. Make sure it has a bit of tail rocker so you can turn it. Single fin. Good luck and report back please.
Thanks. Do you mind giving some specific models that have those characteristics, or is that a no-no? I was down in Long Branch today around high tide but with the wave energy at 75, I decided to show the ocean some respect and stayed the heck out of the water. Some young dudes were out there on shortboards tho.
This was my experience and others may may have a different opinion. There are other good/ probably better options out there. I learned on a 10 ft Stewart hydro hull (i was 245 lbs). Mine was a tri fin and epoxy and it worked great for me. The rails are shaped nicely, not too loggy. It has enough rocker in the nose and tail to prevent from pearling and the tail shape helps with turns. I still have this board and still really enjoy it. It is way easier to turn than other long boards I have ridden. One can nose ride this without a single fin set up.