Hey Guys
I've been Stand up for about a yr. (surfed about 20 yrs ago) Only surfing now, not flat water. Id consider myself intermediate. Happy to surf in 4 - 6 ft . (been in 8ft and ate alot of sand). Im 95kg, 6'4. Im riding a Naish Nalu 11'4, 30 wide. Its a great board but Im finding I can get a little bit wobbly side to side when standing waiting waves (especially when tired). And when surfing I find my nose can dive due to the length of the board, ( in quick sucky conditions).
Hence Im thinking about going a little shorter and wider. Any thoughts??
Cheers,
I am thinking what you are experiencing is a board way to big for you so it is 'corky' and wobbles easily. Especially if you have a gonad man stance with feet out on the rails.
Try as many smaller boards as you can before you downsize. There are heaps out there but width comes at the cost of surfability even though many will deny it.
I would love to have seen the 11 6 in 8 foot. In 2007 I rode an 11 6 Naish in big waves and nearly died I got dragged underwater so long after a wipeout.
Thanks for the advice. I did spend a lot of time under the water, not overly enjoyable, that was enough for me that day....
hilly is on the money with Demo,demo, push perceived boundaries n try what ever you can get your hands on and demo.....
Am 6'2 @ 107kg and was a 32" board man down to 8'6x32 1/2 @ 146lt ..... UNTIL .......
I was my wife's "New 1st SUP" caddie
and tried a bunch of short,narrow, low volume boards in clean small waves . WOW ... I was standing on boards with only a handspan or 2 of nose showing AND catching some knee high runners. Whole different FEEL. There IS stability in low volume.
Have since downsized to 8'6 Hipster Twin @ 134lt
also moved on 2 others to de-volume . Some very interesting 10'ers with individual character
Demo with a open mind just for the fun of it
I'd look at the JP Super Frank, I've had some of the other "wide" boards through my progression (Hokua X32, JP Surf Wide, and I've ridden the Pocket Rocket). The Super Frank out performs all of those, super stable for it's volume and fun in medium-sized surf.
Hey - yep, can kneel...
Surprised myself of late. Gone from my 11'4, to a 9'8 with ease. Took a mates custom out which is an 8'6 x 30 wide. I was unsteady at first but I was able to paddle and catch waves. I'm now looking at a Hokua X32. 8'8 - 9'2, 32 wide. Should do the trick!!!.