Just back from Fiji and had a ball - the board ( a 9'7" al merrick surf caddy.29"w 145ltrs ) went really well for me at Frigates. This was in very good waves.
Dogman suggested becoming more adept and familiar with the board by doing exercises which he demoed on my board -- incredible , ten 360,s in a row and ran all over the board facing anywhere.
Back home while surfing with mates I have noticed the board does not go as well in ordinary surf. Ankle to shoulder high slightly choppy beachbreaks - could be the rider I know BUT they all have shorter boards and seem to fit in these waves better.
Rather than practise moves on my current board, I think I will purchase a shorter board that will last me for a few years and become familiar with it. I am 63 yo and 5'10" also 90k - comfotable with 145ltrs - may get slightly better but ltrs - I know it is the distribution - maybe down to 135.

suggestions around 8'9" to 9'3" with width over 30" - 33" and ltrs 135 - 155

Steve

My choice would be (surprise) Fanatic Allwave. My wife has an Al Merrick surf caddy which is a nice board but my Allwave is all over it performance wise and stability wise.

Could try a JP 9'6" x 32" Surf. That's what I have and love it. Our surf is usually small beach breaks.
I am 88kg and 50yo. It's fast and maneuverable.

give jarrod a call at thesurfboardwarehouse

he's at the goldie's currumbin store, not the one on the sunny coast

jarrod put me onto the 8'4 vex, and it's a pearler

throw some good fins on and you won't be disappointed

i followed the shop's advice, using shapers S7 and S9 based on wave and board combo

i've also got a starboard 8'0 which you might want to ride before buying

it's twitchy and needs a bit of work given the lesser volume (25% less than the vex)

but in big waves, and small, to be fair, it is sensational

loose and fast and light, whereas the vex is a bit heavier, slower off the mark and somewhat tight

in saying that, if a board is said to be 'tight' it may come down to the rider's lack of refined skills necessary to loosen that board up

the vex was tight six months ago

having ridden my starboard, and my long boards, one of which was a laird 12'6 dreammmmm, i now find the 8'4 vex to be loose

sorry, rambling on here...

all the best with your choices

(48 yo 75kg)

Howdy, demo the 8 8 JP wide body surf, love mine and use it mainly in beach breaks. Super fun stick with great performance and stability in many different conditions.

Mainly though, demo and try. See what works best for you!

Another one for a JP8 ft 8 surf widebody....just got one and it is the best surfing board I've owned. Plenty stability, great getting out to waves and loads of fun on the wave....but it is also pretty forgiving I reckon for only having 136 litres. I'm 90kg plus 5/4 wettie and have no problems on it at all....great board.

Sounds like the Starboard 8'10" x 32" Widepoint (143L) could be just what you're after!

You could even think about the 8'2" WP, although the volume is lower, I think you may be surprised at the stability some of the lower volume boards now offer compared to what was considered "enough to float you" a couple of years ago. Its designed specifically as a performance board for heavier riders (rather than a stable all-rounder), and the updated shape for 2014 looks like a lot of fun. Might be shorter than what you're thinking of, but it will fit in the pocket on beach breaks really well.

Anyway, always best to demo first if you can, so hit up your local dealer for some demo boards to try.

Thank you all -- have decided to pay a holding deposit with the "ECS Wideboy sup 8'10" by 32" by 137 ltrs".
The concept and shape seem good and I will trial when I go down for xmas on the coast

Will let you know then how it goes.

Steve

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Ali Cat said..

Sounds like the Starboard 8'10" x 32" Widepoint (143L) could be just what you're after!

You could even think about the 8'2" WP, although the volume is lower, I think you may be surprised at the stability some of the lower volume boards now offer compared to what was considered "enough to float you" a couple of years ago. Its designed specifically as a performance board for heavier riders (rather than a stable all-rounder), and the updated shape for 2014 looks like a lot of fun. Might be shorter than what you're thinking of, but it will fit in the pocket on beach breaks really well.

Anyway, always best to demo first if you can, so hit up your local dealer for some demo boards to try.

Hi Alicat- On the 2014 8'2 starboard wide point, how you find it for paddling a little distance, say 200 metres plus out to and through the break? I just ordered one but haven't demoed it but ridden a JP similar sizing. And how you rate it overall for say stability and catching waves etc?

Starboard WP 8'10" is probably the best board in that bracket.
JP 8'8" Wide ok but I didn't feel in had enough nose rocker, pretty fragile as well.
If you want budget the new Fanatic Allwave 8'11" is nice, new thinned out tail

Tried all three over the past months and ordered a carbon Starby WP


Phil

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Rossall said..

Starboard WP 8'10" is probably the best board in that bracket.
JP 8'8" Wide ok but I didn't feel in had enough nose rocker, pretty fragile as well.
If you want budget the new Fanatic Allwave 8'11" is nice, new thinned out tail

Tried all three over the past months and ordered a carbon Starby WP


Phil

Hmmmm.....I suppose everyone has their own take, likes and dislikes but I'd say the rocker on the JP is good and the nose is good too. Too many SUPs have too much nose rocker which really isn't a good thing for the average Joe - fine if you are surfing at a v good level on steep waves. Also IMHO...the Fanatics do not have thinned out tails either....JP have more performance orientated tails - there's volume in every Allwave. Just my take of course.

Back on track - all those boards mentioned above would do the job nicely I reckon with the JP (in my opinion) being the better for up to head high waves. The Starby for anything bigger.

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windara said..

Hi Alicat- On the 2014 8'2 starboard wide point, how you find it for paddling a little distance, say 200 metres plus out to and through the break? I just ordered one but haven't demoed it but ridden a JP similar sizing. And how you rate it overall for say stability and catching waves etc?

Sorry windara, I haven't actually ridden one. Been riding the 7'10"x30" Airborn for the last 5-6 months and I don't have any problems paddling it far enough to get back out through the break or a few hundred metres around a longer point break, it's just not as fast paddling as something longer and narrower. Not sure how the 8'2" would compare on paddling speed alone - my gut says it would be faster than the Airborn because of extra length and volume allowing it to sit higher in the water, but I'm not sure how much this would be offset by increased resistance from a wider board.

My comment suggesting that stehar might be surprised with the stability of some of the newer lower volume boards was based on comparing the stability of my Airborn (at 97L) to a few different boards I've owned/ridden in the past few years all 8'5-8'10", 28-30" wide and 110-125L and in my opinion the Airborn comes out on top in the stability stakes. And also considering that I was around 85kg when I got the Airborn it wasn't too challenging or difficult, so it makes sense that' a board that has 26L more volume, and some extra width as well, should quite easily take a rider just 5kg heavier.

Great choice!

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stehar said...
Thank you all -- have decided to pay a holding deposit with the "ECS Wideboy sup 8'10" by 32" by 137 ltrs".
The concept and shape seem good and I will trial when I go down for xmas on the coast

Will let you know then how it goes.

Steve