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Smik hipster twin sizing

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Created by jb1979 7 months ago, 30 Mar 2024
jb1979
NSW, 68 posts
30 Mar 2024 5:13PM
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Wondering what sizes people are riding comfortably?

Im comfy on a 120l board but generally ridden longer boards in the 8'5 to 8'10 range, and struggled with tracking on shorter boards I've ridden.

I guess these are a fuller plan shape, but not a tommo style that I've never really liked.

looking at the 8'0 pin for reference, I'm a fit 100kg.

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
30 Mar 2024 5:22PM
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FYI, due to the Twin fin set up on the hipster, it isn't the straightest paddling board - but you get used to it.

Also, the volume feels a little lower than an equivalent volume Sunova - maybe its just they way each is calculated.

I'd go the 8'3" @ 100kg.

jb1979
NSW, 68 posts
30 Mar 2024 5:31PM
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that makes sense re tracking.

Do you have the pin? They are such a beautiful looking board.


hmm yes the 8'6 is too much for me, the 8'3 would be fine.. But could I manage the 8'0 comfortably, that is the question.. And is it worth 2k to find out?
thanks for the info, most of my other boards have been sunova or customs.

riverider
TAS, 1101 posts
30 Mar 2024 7:32PM
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You can always go custom, I have a hipster 8'6" x 29" 115L,I'm not a fan of wider boards.

drivethebus
NSW, 207 posts
30 Mar 2024 10:17PM
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Hi mate, I am 6'3 around 96kgs and went with a 8'6x31.5. I was looking between that and the 8'3 as my favourite beach break has so much water moving around out the back I need a little more stability. It gives me that in spades, had a four hour surf there last week no problems. The next day was though Real heavy legs from the constant movement to battle the rip, backwash and side waves.

Even this size Hipster is alive like no other board I have ridden, step back on top of those fins and the board turns hard or you can slide the tail too.

The pin tail version came out just after I brought mine, and I love the pin tail on any board, but the speed of the original is something else.

I will go down a size in a year or two because the board is so stable. Don't let the larger size be a worry, if you can find the Supboarder review on YouTube Beau Nixon is riding the 8'10 which looks a few sizes to large for him and it not really holding him back.

Cheers.

Steve.

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
31 Mar 2024 12:31AM
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Select to expand quote
jb1979 said..
that makes sense re tracking.

Do you have the pin? They are such a beautiful looking board.


hmm yes the 8'6 is too much for me, the 8'3 would be fine.. But could I manage the 8'0 comfortably, that is the question.. And is it worth 2k to find out?
thanks for the info, most of my other boards have been sunova or customs.





Nah, i've got the standard swallow one.

As i'm now in my mid 40's, i've learned that the board that I should buy is whatever size I think I want - then go one size up .

I've never once regretted going up one size, but I have the other way.

I'm now toying with the thought of a custom, with a slightly wider tail and faster exit rocker. Or a Sunova custom...

FYI There's an 8'3" v2 for sale as new in the classifieds for $1100. And an older 8'0 v1 for $450!

justaddwater
NSW, 717 posts
31 Mar 2024 9:15AM
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Hoppo,your thoughts on the swallow tail being wider with the straighter exit rocker, IMO,definitely need exploring,these two factors have prevented me from getting the current swallow ,the pin version makes more sense with the current rocker and pulled in tail!,it sounds like v4 swallow tail twin could be on the drawing board.,I have only ridden the swallow version and it felt unstable with the pulled in tail,creating to much curve in the outline / and volume to compensate for stability ,Disclaimer.. A lot of people love these boards as they are,but I like others feel there is some more improvements coming ,as it appears that it's in Scotty nature to keep moving forward with innovation ,and that's a good thing

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
31 Mar 2024 11:40AM
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JAW -
Scotty did a custom for himself a little while back with a flatter tail rocker and wider tail - see here:
www.instagram.com/p/CXAZrz2Pr-H
So he should now know how it goes. I haven't asked him yet about it though.

One of the things that interests me with the Sunova Ghost/SP25 is that they both have wide-ish tails / flat exit rockers. FYI the Ghost is quite a bit more refined in rail volume than the SP...

jb1979
NSW, 68 posts
31 Mar 2024 5:02PM
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Great feedback, thankyou guys.

@hoppo I like your philosophy and realistic approach - I too am in my mod 40s and possibly suffering from delusions of grandeur??

I have bought boards that are too big for me though and sold them quicker than I've sold boards that are too small for me.

I just cant go past the look of the twin pin - that outline is a work of art.


Does anyone have any experience with the eps/wood builds?


Justin

theSeb
295 posts
1 Apr 2024 1:06AM
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8.3 x 31 x 123
8 x 30.5 x 118

I am gonna go against everyone else and say you should totally go for the 8. It's what I would get and it's on my shortlist if it ever comes back in stock in my part of the world.

There is definitely a learning curve to fore-aft stability on a shorter board and paddling. But if I can figure out an 8' and an 8.2, then so can you.

Saya suka SUP
NSW, 44 posts
1 Apr 2024 12:57PM
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riverider said..
You can always go custom, I have a hipster 8'6" x 29" 115L,I'm not a fan of wider boards.


Was about to start another thread before I saw this. Interested in a twinny for ankle-head high waves. But the stock hipsters are wide for their length. Basically looking for the outline of a mid length twin MR style surfboard but a SUP. Between 8'3 - 8'10 and 29' wide, swallow tail. Is there anything on the market or am I looking at a custom Smik? Would prefer it as a genuine twinny rather than 2+1 w nubster. Won't be taking it out in anything bigger than head high. cheers

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
1 Apr 2024 4:21PM
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Scotty has made a Retro Twin Sup before.

www.instagram.com/p/BhC8pxvnrlh/
www.instagram.com/p/BZAwXcdH8OS/

He'll make anything you want really...

colas
5083 posts
1 Apr 2024 1:48PM
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Saya suka SUP said..
Interested in a twinny for ankle-head high waves.




I would recommend a Simmons design.
Basically, for ankle-head waves, you want the board as short as possible, and the widest tail, and your rear foot on the leash plug, for maximal efficiency and looseness in micro waves.
This means a Simmons.

A MR twin-fin is designed for bigger waves.
And a swallow tail will add grip, lose tail power and prevent your rear foot to be as far rear as possible, not what you want in micro waves.
(Note that the waves in Hoppo3228 first link are far from ankle-high...)

Here are two of the bests boards I had for micro-waves:

A 6'10" Simmons: I was alone in summer in Hossegor on this peak, as it was too weak for anybody else (you can see other SUPers passing by and not interested). 30+ surfers were battling 100m away for a better peak...



A 6'8" Fish quad, but with a wide square tail and triple wingers to loosen it. Here in 4s weak Mediterranean "waves".



I would suggest you show Scott these shapes and see his personal interpretation of these concepts. Should be quite interesting.

Note that width is not a problem in slow, weak waves. On the opposite, it adds power and lift to a short planing hull. The boards above are 30" and 29.5" wide and 125 liters.

Shape details in:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Gong-take-on-the-Tomo-concept?page=1

stamp
QLD, 2770 posts
1 Apr 2024 4:14PM
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^^^ I think old mate is looking for a board to ride in everything from ankle height to head height, not just the tiny stuff.

bomberdave
VIC, 401 posts
1 Apr 2024 5:19PM
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colas, what are the dims on that 6'10 please..

Saya suka SUP
NSW, 44 posts
1 Apr 2024 5:27PM
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Thanks Hoppo & Colas for the reply.
@Hoppo that looks to be close to the mark.
@Colas I just don't get along w short + wide boards, regardless of conditions. I can ride them, but not as well. It's funny, when I started SUP I'd have sworn I'd prefer short/wide. Turns out my style is better suited to long(ish), narrow(ish)w pulled in nose and tail. So I'm trying to not stray too far from that outline whilst loosening things up w fin adjustment and slight board adjustment. And when I think the waves are small and I'm going for a grovel surf, the odd punchy one comes and I wish I'd been in a better position to catch it/ride it. The best example I can think of is Short Mac crossed w a Hipster longboard. I wonder if Scotty has had similar requests..

Saya suka SUP
NSW, 44 posts
1 Apr 2024 5:29PM
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stamp said..
^^^ I think old mate is looking for a board to ride in everything from ankle height to head height, not just the tiny stuff.


Correct. I have my overhead board, just need something for head high down.without going short.

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
1 Apr 2024 6:28PM
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Saya Suka,
Have a look at Twinzer surfboards' fin set ups... extra drive and speed compared to a regular twin, but still the looseness that makes twins fun.

www.surffcs.com/products/copy-of-fcs-ii-album-twin-1-fin-set

I've toyed with getting a Sup made with this fin set up for a couple of years... but haven't taken the plunge as yet.

Slab
1101 posts
1 Apr 2024 7:34PM
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Hoppo3228 said..



jb1979 said..
that makes sense re tracking.

Do you have the pin? They are such a beautiful looking board.


hmm yes the 8'6 is too much for me, the 8'3 would be fine.. But could I manage the 8'0 comfortably, that is the question.. And is it worth 2k to find out?
thanks for the info, most of my other boards have been sunova or customs.








Nah, i've got the standard swallow one.

As i'm now in my mid 40's, i've learned that the board that I should buy is whatever size I think I want - then go one size up .

I've never once regretted going up one size, but I have the other way.

I'm now toying with the thought of a custom, with a slightly wider tail and faster exit rocker. Or a Sunova custom...

FYI There's an 8'3" v2 for sale as new in the classifieds for $1100. And an older 8'0 v1 for $450!




Totally agree on board size buying and size. It's very tempting to look at boards that are a jump down and kid yourself you will get used to it..and then find you can only use it on the cleanest of days but still struggle. I tend to buy a board which I am pretty confident I can use but look for better performance features built in. Everyone has diff skills, diff waves and diff consistency of surf in your area... and like it or not age is a big factor ??

jb1979
NSW, 68 posts
2 Apr 2024 7:49AM
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Select to expand quote
Slab said..

Hoppo3228 said..




jb1979 said..
that makes sense re tracking.

Do you have the pin? They are such a beautiful looking board.


hmm yes the 8'6 is too much for me, the 8'3 would be fine.. But could I manage the 8'0 comfortably, that is the question.. And is it worth 2k to find out?
thanks for the info, most of my other boards have been sunova or customs.









Nah, i've got the standard swallow one.

As i'm now in my mid 40's, i've learned that the board that I should buy is whatever size I think I want - then go one size up .

I've never once regretted going up one size, but I have the other way.

I'm now toying with the thought of a custom, with a slightly wider tail and faster exit rocker. Or a Sunova custom...

FYI There's an 8'3" v2 for sale as new in the classifieds for $1100. And an older 8'0 v1 for $450!





Totally agree on board size buying and size. It's very tempting to look at boards that are a jump down and kid yourself you will get used to it..and then find you can only use it on the cleanest of days but still struggle. I tend to buy a board which I am pretty confident I can use but look for better performance features built in. Everyone has diff skills, diff waves and diff consistency of surf in your area... and like it or not age is a big factor ??


Yes mate, prudent advice.

I've ordered the 8'3, which I think fits squarely for me in your selection criteria.

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
2 Apr 2024 10:41PM
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Good man! How long before it's in your hands?

jb1979
NSW, 68 posts
3 Apr 2024 9:34AM
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Hoppo3228 said..
Good man! How long before it's in your hands?


It's coming from melbs and I'm in Sydney, so either late this week or more likely early next.

kiterepublic had some cracker deals with 20% off.

even with freight it was still sub 2k.

Hoppo3228
VIC, 775 posts
3 Apr 2024 11:47AM
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SCORE!!!

Enjoy mate - look forward to a review!



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"Smik hipster twin sizing" started by jb1979