What is everyone preference in boards for winter in Jersey? Obviously fish and fun shape boards can still be used on some days but thruster in winter is essential for hollow head high+ waves but what about fin set up and tail shapes? I'm curious as to how other tail shapes and dimensions work. For example, do some of you go with a bit thicker and wider board..maybe even straighter or less rocker for winter given the extra rubber and need to take off early on hollow days? I have a squash tail on my dan taylor and rides pretty good, but thinking next winter want to try to go a bit thicker and go up to 2 3/8 vs. 2 1/4..not sure if I'll go a bit wider as well from 2 3/4 but think thats fine. Anyway , was just wondering if anyone has different experienced riding different boards in jersey during
Well first off I don't know what length of board your riding but really going from 2 1/4 to 2 3/8th is not that significant but again it would depend on the length your going with. That fine if you talking going lets say from a 6' 2" or 6'4" to a 6'6" because your added length will give the extra float. If your going to stay with the same length I would suggest going a 1/4" thicker to 2 1/2 and wider to 18 1/2". I would say the most important thing is getting outside as fast as passable in the winter and a little extra length or volume can definitely help. As far as tail shapes you can try a round tail or a baby bunt tail which is a small swallow tail.
Yea I was riding a 6'5 sqaushtail, 2 3/4 length and 2 1/4 thick. I weight 155-160 and 5'8. My previous board was a fun shape 7'0 so when I want to drop down to a shortboard I didnt want to go all the way down to a 6'0 immediately and have difficulty catching waves. Now I realize the 6'5 is too long of a board for most jersey waves and should or could be used on waves 8 foot +. I mean depends on your size, but I feel like even most pro surfers dont riding anything beyone 6'4-6'5 unless is 10 foot. So I'm thinking of getting 6'0 keeping 2 3/4 wide and 2 3/8 or maybe even 2 1/2 thickness. Then eventually buy a board that will be lighter and quicker for summer but still have some float.
Sorry meant 18 3/4 wide. Yea, would love to try a pintail during winter..appears to create great drive off bottom turn and provide additinional speed down the line.
Seems to me your a quick learner. I have four 6'6" of varied types and I'm about 6'2" and 170-175lbs and tend to go with a little more volume. My newest one is a Firewire Alternator which has a little more volume but still turns on a dime and so I looked up the specs on a 6'0" and your on the money 18" 3/4 x 2" 3/8. As far as the pros go how the ride such small boards in equally small surf is unreal. The better you get the more comfortable you will be riding smaller boards in larger surf. I have a Sharp Eye thats 18" 1/4 x 2" 1/4 and it has to be solid head high some where tropical for me to take it out.
Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the 6"5 in like chest high surf can even be too slow if it's not hollow or your too high up on the wave which slows you down. Plus, my natural stance is keeping feet/legs a bit closer together vs. wider stance, so without my backfoot planted on the deck its hard to plant my rail or really do full carves without that support on the tail. If my backfoot is on the tail I lose speed because the board is too long for the waves im riding sometimes--so I cant win during certain waves. That's why I think a 6"0 for my particular height 5"8/155 lbs weight is perfect. In the summer the 2 1/4 maybe even lighter would be better for tropical waves like you said, but winter time definitely will grab a board with 2 3/8 giving me a little more volume. I'm still learning which board works best for me and given that winter is the best for to surf in jersey, I need the proper board which can hold that extra rubber and provide a little more help with paddling for me anyway. Of course, if you're a pro or surf every single day..then you have an advantage and probably dont need the extra volume but my *ss does!
If you order a board, if possible, talk to the shaper and explain how you surf (like your "natural stance vs. wider stance") and other factors. You need a board that will drive when you are in your "natural" stance, but still turn when need be (shorter board, obviously). i'm pretty sure that on a 6'5, you would pop up either pretty far up it but not have maneuverability, or when you backed-off towards the tail, you would definitely slow down because more volume is forward. That's my theory.
The extra 10-15lbs make no difference and doesn't need to be compensated for. I know Im a know it all douche, but Im no kook. Ride whatever you want when you want. Take it or leave it.
i'm pretty sure that on a 6'5, you would pop up either pretty far up it but not have maneuverability, or when you backed-off towards the tail, you would definitely slow down because more volume is forward. That's my theory.[/QUOTE] You def hit it on the mark there and that's exactly what is happening a lot of the times when Im riding the 6"5. Can't wait to get a new 6"0 end of summer and then next year hopefully get my first fish, maybe twin fin. Thanks for all the feedback.
