Rider: 88 kg, intermediate,
Style: Freeriding, Surf, freestyle
Flying naish parks with cabrinha caliber tt
Location, perth central


Looking for some advice on getting my first surfboard, been looking at north nugget for ease of use, is this a wise choice or should I be looking at something else,
Would appreciate some help

I started with a North Skimfish, although it's technically not a surfboard it was a good initiation into strapless riding, real easy...Or at least as easy as learning to ride strapless gets - lol. Being so flat it isn't something you'd want to take in anything but knee high waves or so, but it's quite versatile and lots of fun in just about every other water condition > especially in flat water. It's also my board of choice in marginal wind conditions, planing in some very light winds. Being more of skimboard, it can be a bit skittish (aka - like being on ice) when riding it on it's flat, so it's no surfboard in this regard.

In light to medium winds - up to mid twenties, small waves, swell riding, and even flat water, I use an Airush Cypher 5'6 @ 72 kg bodyweight. Like the Skimfish, it's a bit on the wider side so it's easier to start with being more stable in transitions and all. The Cypher planes quickly, smooth (in chop), controllable, carves a nice turn, has a nice snap to it, and is my all around directional board. Like the Nugget, it's just an easy to ride all around board. I've ridden it both strapped and strapless; I prefer it strapless unless it's windy/choppy and or bigger waves. Straps give me that extra control that's sometimes necessary, but you sacrifice "freedom" of movement on the board.

All said, you're an intermediate so nearly any kite surfboard will do. And, you'll get the hang of riding almost any surfboard quite quickly.







Note the twin tip like configuration on the Skimfish. During transitions, since I don't have my foot switches wired one-hundred percent of the time, I sometimes "cheat" and do a sliding turn and ride the board backwards. It rides either way quite well interestingly enough. The nose has a scoop, so when you ride the board backwards it simulates tail rocker. This smoothes the board a bit when it's choppy.

My friend has the Nugget and likes it in light to med winds and small waves. Like the Cypher, when it gets windy or bigger surf, it can work (you just have to slow things down to maintain control of the board) but it's not ideal. He uses the North Wam for that. I rode his Wam. That's a nice board as well! It's just not as efficient in lighter conditions and or smaller (less powerful) waves, as the Nugget or Cypher.

It's a matter of what conditions you intend to ride in. If you're leaning more toward more heavy surf and or higher winds, then something narrower with a bit less flat / a little more rocker is a good choice (not too much rocker however - too much loses versatility for anything but surf) > Example: North Wam, Naish Global, etc. From what I've tried there's no real "bad" boards per se'. Again, it's a matter of what range of conditions you want it for. Example > I'm looking into buying a smaller Naish Global to use as my high wind "bump & jump" board.

And yes, the Nugget is good choice for all around use. Like most boards in this size category, you'll be amazed at how well they get going @ 12 knots (I can easily get going on a 12 meter & Cypher surfboard / ripping upwind no problem) but can handle well up in to the twenties. It beats going back and forth on a giant door sized twin tip.

Select to expand quote

CRUZIN said..



Rider: 88 kg, intermediate,
Style: Freeriding, Surf, freestyle
Flying naish parks with cabrinha caliber tt
Location, perth central


Looking for some advice on getting my first surfboard, been looking at north nugget for ease of use, is this a wise choice or should I be looking at something else,
Would appreciate some help

Hi Cruzin,

I have the a North Nugget and a few Slingshot Tyrants and I am 100kg dry.

If the wind is 10 to 20 knots and surf is a smooth three foot or less, Mr Nugget gets the nod
If the water is flat, Mr Nugget gets the nod regardless of wind speed (like being on a speedboat)
If the water is super choppy regardless of location, Mr Slingshot gets the nod.

So I would say Mr Nugget wins 70% of time. My favourite board.

The Nugget just floats brilliantly well and I use it as soon as the wind conditions are light.

Bigtone do you ride with or without straps, does it make a difference.
Windtzu thanks for your input, appreciate it

Select to expand quote

CRUZIN said..

Bigtone do you ride with or without straps, does it make a difference.
Windtzu thanks for your input, appreciate it

Hi Cruzin,

I started strapless on flat water, went to straps in the surf (worried about launches in the surf), and have now gone back to strapless for both flat water and surf (got better at launches in the surf!!).

I tried wax on the front of the board and that was okay most of the time, but have now applied the North deck pad and that is awesome.

... I agree with above posts ^^ + 1.

Nugget and Cypher are great boards especially for beginners as they are super stable for transistions and have a great wind range despite the width suggests.

I ride mostly strapless on my Cypher but when the water gets rough and windy, I put just the front strap on so as to help keep the board attached when going over white water.

Try 'em all and have fun finding the one !!!!

cheers,

Robbie

Robbie,

What size of the Cypher you ride?

BigZ

All good input!

I agree with Puetz. I too tried putting on the front strap only. Keep the strap on the loose side as opposed to making it too snug. I've had a fall or two that resulted in minor ankle twist that was a little unsettling. You want to be able to pull your foot out easily. It sounds like common sense but we've all gone through trial and error on the little things. On the flip side, I know some riders that that like them snug for more control. They're also very skilled kiters. I'd suggest keeping them loose in the beginning, until.

Bigtone mentioned wax and deck pads. I tired all three (including non skid spray) on mine (the Cypher comes stock with a rear deck pad but the front needs something if you're going to ride it strapless). Starting with wax, it was ok, but I didn't care for the maintenance (hot-cold water types and the mess of wax melting in my hot car). Later, after spending a considerable time removing the wax (never again), I applied Monster Paint Non Skid. It was ok, but not as grippy as the wax. With booties it was sufficient, but I didn't feel as secure barefoot. Lastly I applied a a Dakine surf pad. It's designed as a rear pad with a kick pad, and was of the larger variety so as to cover enough area up front. With the pad turned backwards and the kick pad now on the front, facing opposite of the rear kick pad, I'm loving it!

The deck pad is the best of both worlds, grip and comfort. Compared to the wax and non skid spray, the deck pads are like having footstraps. I also like the kick pad on the front, as it aids me in driving upwind on the board. I push my front foot up against the pad and it gives me a little extra security/grip going upwind in chop; every little thing helps.

I spent some time looking for just the right size and this was ideal:

http://www.amazon.com/Dakine-Fish-Tail-Surfboard-Traction/dp/B000WFVPHU

I positioned the kick pad just in front of the most forward foot straps holes. This way it's out of the way and yet just forward enough to position my foot /weight for upwind riding when I choose. It really makes a difference.

Since no one has said it yet- just go on gumtree and get a beat up, wide surfboard and have a go. I seriously don't see the point on dropping huge coin on surfboards anymore. As long as they last a couple of seasons I'm happy. And I guarantee you will damage your board- bar dings, snapping fins out etc.

Select to expand quote

BigZeee said..
Robbie,What size of the Cypher you ride?BigZ

... hey BigZeee,

I've got the 5'10". Its much more agile than the size suggests and blows me away how much wind I can take it in. I got a couple of nice size waves in Bali with it and handled it way better than the blurbs say, maybe 'cause I'm heavier (120 kg) than the average rider!

I'm mucking around with fins and found I prefer 3 when wind picks up, allows nice drawn out turns and 4 in lower winds with great drive from fins for turns.

cheers,

Robbie

Select to expand quote

windtzu said..
All good input!

I agree with Puetz. I too tried putting on the front strap only. Keep the strap on the loose side as opposed to making it too snug. I've had a fall or two that resulted in minor ankle twist that was a little unsettling. You want to be able to pull your foot out easily. It sounds like common sense but we've all gone through trial and error on the little things. On the flip side, I know some riders that that like them snug for more control. They're also very skilled kiters. I'd suggest keeping them loose in the beginning, until.

Bigtone mentioned wax and deck pads. I tired all three (including non skid spray) on mine (the Cypher comes stock with a rear deck pad but the front needs something if you're going to ride it strapless). Starting with wax, it was ok, but I didn't care for the maintenance (hot-cold water types and the mess of wax melting in my hot car). Later, after spending a considerable time removing the wax (never again), I applied Monster Paint Non Skid. It was ok, but not as grippy as the wax. With booties it was sufficient, but I didn't feel as secure barefoot. Lastly I applied a a Dakine surf pad. It's designed as a rear pad with a kick pad, and was of the larger variety so as to cover enough area up front. With the pad turned backwards and the kick pad now on the front, facing opposite of the rear kick pad, I'm loving it!

The deck pad is the best of both worlds, grip and comfort. Compared to the wax and non skid spray, the deck pads are like having footstraps. I also like the kick pad on the front, as it aids me in driving upwind on the board. I push my front foot up against the pad and it gives me a little extra security/grip going upwind in chop; every little thing helps.

I spent some time looking for just the right size and this was ideal:http://www.amazon.com/Dakine-Fish-Tail-Surfboard-Traction/dp/B000WFVPHU

I positioned the kick pad just in front of the most forward foot straps holes. This way it's out of the way and yet just forward enough to position my foot /weight for upwind riding when I choose. It really makes a difference.

... yep +1,

I tried the wax, feels nice but lasts a nano second so get the deck pads straight up.

I mucked around with surfboards when learning and found for learning a kite specific board increased the learning curve quicker than a straight surfboard. For me, personally, they tended to be too small and required too much power and then I damaged them too easy, ripped fins off, probably from edging too hard. From the first sweep of the kite on my Cypher I knew this board was going to make it easier for me to learn.

Have fun,

Robbie

Nugget Nugget Nugget Nugget Nugget etc. And when it gets over 4', then put straps on and you can handle the drops too. Otherwise for learning, any old beat up surfboard off Gumtree is the go.

Cruzin,
My 2 cents, stuck at work more interesting replying to forums....
If you can and what I have is two SB boards one with straps (production) and one without PU construction.
With straps the production kite specific boards offer the most strength. (straps its just to tempting not to go big)
In straps obviously foot position is fixed and finer points in SB board dont seem to matter.
Traditional PU surfboards will not survive very long with straps (based on my distruction).
PU SB best without straps being able to move your feet, enjoy the shapers design.
Plenty of 2nd hand PU SB's around for under $250.00 not a year old and a current shape.
PU SB offer lots of lengths, widths and volumes.
You dont want it too corky, 21/2" thick or less, or too wide 191/2" or less, or too long max 6'6".
Look for a squash or round tail, fish / swallow tails more fragile and prone to shatter.
They still break but (imo) you'll ride it differently and stress it less.
good luck

Hi,

would like to start with waves, now thinking to buy first directional - see good price on north nugget 14 (would like something stabille and with volume)

I have 80kg, should I buy 5,5'' or 5,2". seems like I am on edge, 5,2 is 60 - 85, 5'5'' - 80plus. My kitebag is160cm, so I am tendig for the smaller version as the taller board is 5cm longer then bag - this is crusual when u are flying in europe.
so i am not shure if it is not a mistake to go for smaller, have no experience in this matter

thx.

Just to put my 2 cents in...Cabrinha subwoofer is a fun option for small surf/flat strapless days.