Quick question - I'm now the proud owner of 2 boards (JP Surf Pro 9'2 & Laird Surfer 10'6) both of which I'm chuffed to bits with however, I still feel like I've got a bit of 'gap' in terms of having a board for all surf conditions.

My Laid (which is incredibly stable) is great for flat water / small clean waves or larger non-hollow/non-powerful surf (where nose riding is a pleasure) however I struggle to control this board in bigger/messy surf.

My JP (which is 30" wide) on the other hand is fantastic for all clean conditions (small or large) but I'm still a bit toppy the minute there's a lot of chop (most of this is can attributed to my skill level....or lack of - haha)

I'm not in a rush to buy a 3rd board (hopefully the 'toppy' issue on my JP Surf will diminish over time &/or I will learn to control my Laird in more powerful surf.....or I simply wont go out when the conditions are rough) but I would appreciate any feedback re boards which are well suited to messy surf conditions?

I'm 6' / approx 85kg & I want to consider boards which my other half (who finds my Laird too heavy + she's reluctant to use my JP) can also use i.e. I guess anything around 9'5 x 150l is the way to go? I've seen DJ's clips on his Mana 9'5 which I really like but the weight might be problem. Possiby boards like the 8'11 Allwave / 9'5 Widepoint / 9'8 Fusion etc. are the way to go?

Cheers

Demo everything you can lay your hands on.

Agreed - demo is 1st prize but this forum is great for pointing you in the right direction in terms of what boards to demo

Don't do a thing... give the 9'2 some time and keep taking it out in the chop. You will get used to it in no time.

I'm 100kegs on a 8'11 x 29" Coreban Lithium and when I first downsized to it I thought I had made a mistake as I was falling over every time it wasn't flat.
After 18 months It's now my go to board for all conditions especially rough conditions. Recently we have had a run of 15+knot cross on/off shore winds and I feel as stable as houses on it these days.
Your balance will come along in leaps and bounds, don't be afraid to adjust your footing either. Square on isn't the go in choppy mush I've found tending for a much more forward front foot

I agree with Danny.

At your weight the JP will eventually be comfy in all conditions. Just keep taking it out in onshore crap.

Hey SUPing, I was using my 9'6" JP Pro as my messy day board until it "died". I have since reverted back to my trusty 10'6" Nalu. Not everyone's choice for the chop, but I do well on it. Keep at your 9'2". The more you take it out in the slush, the better it will get, and the glassy days will seem like a dream.

sounds like Allwave conditions.

Thanks - this is exactly the feedback I was hoping to hear & my other half will be delighted because she already thinks I'm obsessed with the sport! Thanks also for the tip about the correct stance Danny...I will definitely give this a whirl the next time I'm in the chop. I was a bit concerned when I put a tiny paddle dent on the nose of my new JP Pro (I guess the deck isn't that robust?) but I will take extra care & hopefully learn to fall a bit more gracefully (haha)

For choppy conditions, I like something
- wide at the ends and wide overall for stability
- not too much volume to avoid the "cork effect" and be thrown around. Depending on your abilities, you will want just enough volume to not fall too easily forwards or backwards, but no more
- not too long: the longer the board, the more it will plough into bumps and chop. Again how short you can go is limited by your paddling technique. Also the faster the wave (wave period), the more you need length to be able to get enough speed to catch them, if you want to avoid being forced into late take offs. For average riders, a 8' to 8'6" is a good length

A Jimmy Lewis Kwad is an example of these kind of boards, as should be all the new "Tomo" shapes, the Naish Manas, etc... I guess the JP "Wide Body" can fit the bill.
In the Gong line, this means the "Cloud" line

Thanks Colas - that's good to know because I assumed more volume = better performance in choppy conditions & I didn't realise your point about width at both ends also assisting......which makes sense. I figured less length would help because my Laird tends to nose dive the minute the chop is significantly up.

I'll save your reply whereby if my other half decides she reallt can't manage my Laird (she's 55kg so the length & weight is a concern for her....although she's only ever out in clean conditions) I can then consider the board options you mention. For the time being, I'll crack on with my JP

I have Starboard 9'5 WP. At 32 inches good in chop yet still turns well on wave despite width. Im 6' and 83kg. So a big vote for the SB from me.

Thanks bru - will add that to my short list!