Surfboards! (the kind for waves...)

[baypirate]

I'm sure I'll open a can of worms here, but I'm looking to get started in the waves this summer, while they are still toddler sizes and hopefully grow with them by fall, graduate to at least coloring and pasting b/f winter storms :^o

In the market for a surfboard; I never go top of the line / current year, but also learned the cash way that gear matters and you could grow out of it too quickly / make bad choices.

I tried one of Jeff's (Prisoner of the Wind / NorCal) quads at Crissy in chop and swell; I also like things of which there are a lot of around (deal$!) and wouldn't mind supporting the local guys.

I found some good options for North's Rocket Fish 2008, which seems like a popular all-arounder. Is there any way I can go wrong with a RocketFish 2008? Looking at 5'9'' (other than screwed-in fins instead of boxes?). I'm 5'8" / 170lbs (and my 5'4" Amundson race board feels a little small).

BTW, I really like Amundson's work (including details like NSI straps etc.), that's how I heard of the Rocket Fish, ok, that's a production board but there aren't that many Amundson Pro surf customs around...

Thanks!

[Tribaled]

Baypirate ,
You should also consider our F-One Bamboo Surfboards.We have multiple sizes all made through the Firewire guys.
Come to 3rd Ave August 1st to check them out and take one for a spin if the wind allows....
Cheers ,
Bruce
www.bayareakitesurf.com

[adamrod]

i would recommend going to a local beach with real waves and trying boards there. a board that is great on the bay isn't necessarily good in the waves. for instance, on the bay, a board with a lot of volume can be really bouncy and uncomfortable, but in the waves, the water tends to be a bit flatter, and the extra volume really helps to actually surf the wave.

Anybody who sells surfboards should be able to hook you up with a demo in real wave conditions. Bruce spends some time on the coast, so I'm sure he can help you out there. I know a few folks ride the LF Rawson boards up in North bay so you could meet up with those guys too. A lot of people like the caution trespass line of boards as well, so that might be worth looking at.

There seem to be two schools of thought for surfboards out there. some companies produce bigger, surf style directionals (LF being one of them...they don't make a board smaller than 5'10"), and some companies produce smaller directionals that require more kite power (the rocketfish is a good example). surf directionals are pretty expensive, so it would pay to do a bit of demoing. at the very least, try out some varied sizes. While a small board 5'9" seems nice, riding a 6'0" with a smaller kite gets you much closer to that surfing feeling, especially on the smaller waves we have this time of year.

if i could give you one bit of advice, i'd get a board bigger than the 5'9". it will help with gibes, help with giving you that surf feeling, and means you can ride a smaller kite...on the other hand, if you plan on using this board primarily in the bay, a big board can be a handful in the chop, so then that advice might not apply...

[zgur]

Adam hit the key points.

Definitely go with a 6' board for waves.

Try different models to find what you like.

I ride as many boards as possible, and believe that Amundson boards are THE BEST. They surf great. Handle chop awesome. Go upwind well. Easy to jibe/tack. Durable, and the fin boxes do not rip out. Good strapped/strapless.

Yes, I am biased, I've been on Johns boards for 5 years. Nothing comes close.

You get what you pay for. You will NOT outgrow this board, and will have a lot of smiles.

Good wind + waves, Z.

[baypirate]

Thanks for everybody's great input already!

Bruce - F-One Bamboos caught my eye (so to speak), but was hoping to find a mildly used / demo / closeout for now.

Adam - as always, very valuable insights, appreciated! No, I don't foresee using the surfboard in the bay (other than maybe big swell days under the bridge or the few winter days at Alameda when the whole beach moves...). Size-wise, was looking for 6.0' to begin with, but I mostly came across 5'9''s. I understand the rule of thumb is 2" over height (if is like skiing sizing, is totally wrong...). I totally see however how the construction/shape makes huge difference in volume and buoyancy and hence feel in chop vs. waves.

Zeev - yeah, based on my raceboard I'd go with Amundson too, but nobody seems to be selling theirs Speaking of size again, I understand Amundson is 5'9", he says he makes 6'0" only for "big guys". And as stated, I spotted those North Rocketfish as a poor-man Amundson touch (second hand/closeouts almost 50% of new order of John's Pro...), although Amundson name is probably more a marketing thing given the lower volume and overall construction of the Rocketfish. And I'd definitely like to have Future fin boxes (or other standardized).

Anyway, I'm torn between dropping the cash on a brand new board or starting out on a budget and upgrading once I get the rider dialed-in first...

[Bulldog]

Just a little size-relevant info: I am about the same weight as you and I have two Amundson customs, one is a 5'10" and the other a 5'7". I haven't ridden anything bigger but for me the big board has its limitations: it's much more work to slash on the lip and it is also too floaty/fast for me on big wave/big wind days. The fast you are going, the harder it is to bring it around on a bottom turn.

If you are serious about riding waves, at your weight you are going to be on a 5 or 6M kite many days anyway and you may not need the extra speed that a bigger board is going to give you when you are screaming down a wave face.

Some people I know have started out in the waves on too-big boards and it has definitely impeded their progress. If John A. says you should be on a certain size board, I'd go with his recommendation (if it's a board he designed or shaped, anyway).

[zgur]

I would definitely listen to the guy who shapes the boards - he gives good advice. Every board he makes for me - we discuss - and his input and direction are key in my decision making.

I've had many versions of John's boards, and was always VERY happy. All the boards now have 2nd/3rd owners and they are still running strong.

About dropping the cash on a new board vs. used then upgrade.....I'll make a comparison for you.....as I sit here in DFW airport waiting for a connecting flight....your decision process reminds me of buying a carry on bag........

I travel for business, and need to get around quick on connecting flights. I needed to get a new carry on bag. Went into a luggage store to buy one. The salesperson was very helpful, and helped me understand what separates higher price bags from cheaper ones: quality of build, wheels, handles, zippers, volume, etc.

I was/am on a tight budget. Decided to save some $ and went for a cheaper model. It was around $120. After 4 trips, the handle (the one that comes up) stopped working. A month later, the zippers were less then great.

I wound up going back to the same store and getting a top of the line model: another $190. I spent way ($310)more in the final analysis then if I bought the right product to begin with. Not to mention the incredible hassle of having to carry your carry on bag vs. wheel it behind you and having to go to the store two times - I could have been kiting instead.

Your mileage may vary ;-)

Get some, Z.

[baypirate]

Thanks for everybody's input!

I made the mistake of actually calling John and not too shockingly I ended up getting a surf brother to my Amundson raceboard :-({|= As Seinfeld put it, not that there is anything wrong with the other great suggestions made here (thanks again!)

Bulldog pointed me to a used 2008, but in the end I got one of John's own he had on stock, new & 2009, for same (delivered) price as the second hand. BTW, what he's asking for a custom built one is entirely reasonable and competitive imho. Mine ( =D> ) is a 5'11", I guess somewhere in the middle of the "go long" / "but not too long" advice, my pick would have been a 5'10'' so I guess can't be that terrible (I know, I know, life and football are a game of inches...)

Will share the stoke once getting enough mileage (the kind that Zeev says one's varies...)

[zgur]

Oh yeah, you are going to have a few smiles on your face!!!!

Good winds + waves, Z.

[timwim1]

Great advice in this post!!

I have been enjoying my surfboard as well, you do the same :).

Tim