Hi, Just seeking some advice on down sizing for surf. I originally had a 10 1/2 x 31 1/2 PSH. It was my 1st board and mainly used in all conditions. I'm not shore how far to drop down in size. I'm 78kgs . I was thinking about 9 to 9 1/2 foot. Maybe thats still too big. Any advice would be appreciated cheers.
You'll have to do it stages, to start with i'd look at around 8'10" surf shape as a step down (about 130L). It'll be hard initially - but you'll pick it up pretty quickly. Then depending on how high performance want to go, you should be able to go below 8' and under 100L @ 78kg.
Depending on budget and the kind of waves you are riding, there are lots of great boards out there.
Boards I like for General Performance Surfing (whilst still being quite easy to stand on):
Sunova Flow / Creek Starboard Converse / Pocket Rocket Smik Hipster Twin / Short Mac Atlantis Vex Carbon
Or if you like more of a longboard style:
Deep Dogman JL Striker Sunova Steeze / Style One Sup 9'0 Performance Fanatic Stylemaster
i steeped down from a 10mana to this shape ,it was demanding at first ,but I learnt so much ...about looseness
and SUP carving ..
i ride smaller now ,but glad I didn't step to far down to quick .i still have the 9.1 ...I never out grew it . But I think a 9.0 is a good drop .from a 10.
I'm 90 kg. I started on a 10"6 naish Nalu. Then I went to a 9"6 naish quest. This board has 170 Ltrs like the Nalu but is a short board shape. I am super comfortable on this board in all kinds of bump. I then tried a Jimmy Lewis 9"3 world wide for a week in Bali. 155 ltrs. I felt very comfortable with this board in windy bumpy stuff. I am now waiting for delivery of a 8"6 Jimmy Lewis super frank at 140ltrs. I am taking it in stages because I want to enjoy my surfing. Plus I surf a very crowded break and so I need to be able to surf well and in a safe manner.
The bower crowded thats the biggest understatement ive heard all year. Why is it every decent point on the north coast is now super packed. I had a session at seal rocks the other day 2-3 foot and just ridiculous, 20 guys out it was over the top, At least half were claiming local status and the whole place only has 10 houses so someone was fibbing.