LONGBOARD tried one WTF!

just saying

 

I'm 5'9", same as Kelly, so that's chest high on me lol

 

Hold on, lemme grab another beer.... Say again? lmao

 

I concede you did a good thing starting that. Good idea.

 

Dude great to hear your stoked on longboarding!

Maybe I have an old way of thinking- but I feel that a quiver is not complete without a longboard. When I select a board to ride- I consider what the waves are like and then select the board heavily based on that and also my mood. Generally- if it's smaller then stomach to chest high, I'm on a longboard. I just don't think it's worth the struggle or low wave count to be on anything else.

I think a well rounded quiver should have a suitable board for every type of wave. Sometimes I see pics of ppls quivers and it looks like 10 of the same shortboards!

Anyways I was out this morning- it was small and clean- had the longboard out and got wave after wave of rides all the way to the beach! Three other guys where out, all on shortboards and I felt bad- they seemed to really be getting short rides and had to wait for just the right set... But I guess you can't feel too bad if they choose to ride a shortboard in knee high surf. Anyways- the guys where really cool though and we where all trading waves at one point.

As to the OPs original question- if your gonna get a longboard, get a longboard! Get something over 9'2 - more like a 9'6 or so. Don't get like a 9'0 or an 8'6... Get something longer. I have a 9'4- two 9'6s and a 10'4, all different shapes. I would suggest just getting more of a classic shape- not a lot of rocker and a single fin with 50/50 rails throughout- just don't get a board with hard down rails in the tail unless it has a 2+1 fin set up... It just doesn't mix with a single fin. Speaking of 2+1 fin set up- they are generally found on high performance longboards- I personally would suggest skipping hplb all together - and 2+ 1 fin set ups - unless you plan on surfing bigger waves (5ft+). They still need power to perform well, similar to a shortboard. So get something big- thick and beefy with a single fin and rounded rails throughout. You want to be able to float and cruise with the wave- kinda like driving a Cadillac vs corvette

If your worried about turning- and leaning toward a 2+1 cause it seems like it would be easier to turn- I could tell you that I can turn a single just as well and maybe better in small waves then 2+1. Once again, you really need some power for the 2+1 to perform optimally

Anyways- I hope you find your board! Wax up that nose and start walking- you'll be having loads of fun before you know it!! You'll be able to practically surf every day! Hang ten!

 

Dude hope you made it out! I got out this morning- tons of fun and the water was warm! I'm usually surfing the same area- we outta surf sometime! Although the only time I usually get in these days is dawn patrol. PM me if your going sometime

 

I agree...after riding it as a 2+1 for a long time, I haven't had the side bites in my log for years. Single fin all the way. If I know its gonna be solid I might slide it back in the box a ways, but normally keep it forward. knee high to head high it doesn't matter....the single fin just feels right in the longboard.

 

Same here... I had a couple of HPLBs with sidebites, and snapped them both. Figured there was a reason for that, and just went back to riding shortboards like shortboards and longboards like longboards.

Had another small DP session on the log again today... fun little swell we've been having here the past few days. Thigh to maybe waist high and super peel-y.

Starting to crave a bigger wave, though... I'll admit.

 

I feel the same- it's been super fun the past few days- but while I was out this morning I was trying to remember the last time I surfed anything with substantial size... And couldn't really remember!

There is something about this time of year tho- warm water, dawn patrols with the log... Peeling waves and some good friends! Oh yea... Less rubber!

 

o 2fun

 

The whole world slows down a touch on a long board. Let's you think a bit more and actually be more in tune to the wave in way. The bigger the surf (to an extent) the better. Can't tell you how many times these days I trade the fish or the short board in after a couple waves. Surfline called Colin "good to epic" here, I was even out for 30 minutes before I traded up to the LB. stiff offshore and a ****load of fun.

I wish I had appreciated the long board years ago on dozens of spots that would have been amazing on an LB. one day I will retrace my steps on a different stick.

 

What is the best fin for a longboard that is 9' which keeps it loose and allows noseriding? I'm only taking the longboard how from 1-3 feet. I'm thinking a pivot fin or will something with more rake help. I'm just looking for a cruisy ride with the option to ride the nose. Thanks.

 

+1 I have a 9" in my 9ft LB, which is a cross between a HPLB and a nose rider; it turns on a dime and nose rides pretty well, love that fin with that board.

 

Thanks. I have only ridden thrusters until about 3 years ago where I tried a quad for the first time and now love quads. I just recently got a longboard for the small days and didn't know much about the fins. The longboard I got is a 9' which has side bites too. I guy who sold me the longboard said this setup would be more stable and like a thruster. I now have heard from others that the single fin is the way to go.

Can I just take out the side bites and put in a single fin. I'm not looking to do sharp turns. Just mellow turns, trimming, cruising and walking the board. Is the greenough 4A good for all this and noseriding or do you think a pivot fin? I only have the bank for one fin right now, lol.

Also, since this is for crusing and noseriding mushy 1-3 waves, how does fin placement for the single fin affect the ride (pushed forward or back)? I would think forward would make it looser.

 

Yes, go single. Push that bad boy all the way up in the box for max turning, which is my preference. Pull it back in the box for wider turns and more stability, not my preference.

 

I agree with zagaffer- and would ultimately go with something shaped like the El Gato fin- my personal fav- but it's not going to turn like a cutaway but will still turn nice and give you that extra hold on the nose.

I also just recently tried the future fins Salty fin- which is a little more of a pivot - I was amazed at how well it worked on one of my boards- it really turns great and nose rides well! The board is a weird mix of old school pig shape and newer longboard

Anyways- if your looking for something with more hold on the nose- you want a fin with more surface area. Also try moving the fin forward and back- it makes a big difference- specially on the nose. Moving it back will help the tail hold better and be more stable but will be a bit harder to turn. Everyone has a different preferences- you just gotta try it. I like mine mid to back- so that the very tip of the fin is about and inch from the end/tailblock of the board.

 

Compare the Greenough fin with the Farberow fin...





Both are "flex" fins, but not super flexy, like some flex fins are. The Farberow clearly has more area, particularly in the tip. This means it's got better hold, drive, and is a bit stiffer, but still very springy, and lets you load up a bit more than the Greenough. The Farberow will definitely be better for cruising and noseriding, particularly in waves that break down the line faster and with a little more pop. The Greenough fin will let you whip it around a lot easier, and will let you stay closer to the curl in slower, weaker waves.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

Is that a Quad set of Hatchets? I used to ride a Weber Performer that had a hatchet that would impale you if you weren't careful. I have a 2+1 hatchet setup on my 10'0" where the hatchet (center) is 6" and the side fins are V2 F4s. It is a fun setup!