MattBailey said..
well I'm 97Kg, when i was 100-102 rode my Fanatic Prowave at 104L. Fortnight ago i thought i'd see how far i could push it and bought a cheap-ie JP pro 7'4 X 27 @90 litres. Whilst i cant really wait around out the back all day (if I cannot see something immediately when getting out the back, I just sit down on the board and wait), I rarely miss a wave when they come through. BUT MAN does it surf....

So board is 6Kg (with fins, tail pad, wax and leggy - not bad), I'd be say 98 wet plus paddle on 90l, puts me around 0.87 factor.

Its certainly not easy, but its certainly not impossible. Back to the topic at hand - its all about what you want from your surfing... I think there's so much talk about weight Plus 'X' (like no less than 1.2) that a lot of people don't think its possible and therefore don't show the lower volume the patience they need to actually get used to it... because it certainly takes some time, you just need the desire to see it through.

Done 0.9 a few times. Constant paddling got me down. On the wave brilliant, paddling no probs. Stopped not good, sit then hard to quickly stand. If I was younger very doable I think.

On the other hand, yesterday I took my small wave board (6'10" x 31" x 125 liters), as the buoys were showing weak conditions: 1'-2', 7s period. But the sets quickly became quite powerful, a good head high with at least 10s period, and the peak was focusing efficiently the swell.

My board had too much width and volume for the conditions. Normally I would be on my 7'3" x 29.5" x 105 board for my 100kg. But I was lazy, didn't feel like taking the long walk on the sand to the van, so I stayed on my too voluminous board. And after some technique adjustments (akin to riding a twin fin), I actually had a blast! Volume has advantages, the added speed on open face surfing and carving can be exhilarating. Rail turns especially: with the volume, the rail does not dig very deep, so with the proper gear (well shaped rail + big twin fins so that the rail does not move sideways and lose speed) and technique (try to use a longer length of the rail), you actually can do rail turns with a wetted surface smaller than a foil, with the feeling of being on rollercoaster rails with no drag. The speed on fast sections was intoxicating.

Of course, I would have been better on a smaller board, and able to engage more easily and safer in turns. There is no question. But some volume is not all bad, it has also some advantages.

MattBailey said..

Frothn said..

MattBailey said..
well I'm 97Kg, when i was 100-102 rode my Fanatic Prowave at 104L. Fortnight ago i thought i'd see how far i could push it and bought a cheap-ie JP pro 7'4 X 27 @90 litres. Whilst i cant really wait around out the back all day (if I cannot see something immediately when getting out the back, I just sit down on the board and wait), I rarely miss a wave when they come through. BUT MAN does it surf....

So board is 6Kg (with fins, tail pad, wax and leggy - not bad), I'd be say 98 wet plus paddle on 90l, puts me around 0.87 factor.

Its certainly not easy, but its certainly not impossible. Back to the topic at hand - its all about what you want from your surfing... I think there's so much talk about weight Plus 'X' (like no less than 1.2) that a lot of people don't think its possible and therefore don't show the lower volume the patience they need to actually get used to it... because it certainly takes some time, you just need the desire to see it through.

Matt how tall are you ??

179cm - Captain average LOL

MattBailey, you are showing the good way here...thank you.

LightSUP808 said..
Am I on a board that's to big and makes it more difficult? I bought my first SUP last summer 8'2 x 32 x 4.25 = 122L and I learned pretty quick but seem to have stalled out. The board feels tippy but yet it's way over volumed for my size (5'10") 65kg. I borrowed a friends 112L board and had a lot more fun surfing and it wasn't any harder to balance on. I'm relatively new to the sport, but my go to surfboard is a 5'2 25L board so no problem surfing. Maybe I would benefit from a second hand 90Lish board and struggle for a few weeks, or is this too much of a volume jump from my current board? That 122L board I have now is great for little knee to chest high sets but when it gets a bit bigger I feel like I'm trying to steer a boat by walking around on the deck. I imagine the struggle to paddle out and stay upright in the flat stuff might be worth the effort if I can catch a wave, plant my feet and actually surf rather than hang on. Anyone have advice on progression? After reading through some comments 1.3 ratio or 85L might even be possible!?

75-80 litres easily doable I'd say.

1.2 x weight is 78L.

Gboots said..
Similar dilemma at 60-62kg.
But what length board at 80L ?
Too short can be a nightmare .
Too narrow and you will be falling of whilst paddling for a wave (especially at a shorter length )
Too square nosed and it's harder to turn and harder to paddle into off shore winds .
The lowest volume board I have is 109L 7'5 Slab and it feels good in small stuff. I actually have a 9'1 Acid (124L) yeah way too big but excellent in less than 3-4ft.
I also have an 8'8 Speeed (122L) which is also great on small waves but can get out of control on 3ft plus.....thrown of the back as this thing flies ......prefer the Acid for control.
Am considering an 8'4 Flow (110L) , 8'7 Acid (106L) or 8'6 Flash (112L) next . 8'1 (100L) Flow is the max lowest I will consider because of loss of paddle speed . Being to close to the pocket on a crowded beach break ion Sydney is no fun. It is a bit of a dilemma
Good rail shape on these high volume boards has helped quite a bit . A bulky rail would be a nightmare

how about a custom?

I think that at that weight and with your preferences you are way outside the average and that's when a custom can work well...

Perhaps even a custom flow, 8'1 x 28, 85L would be sweet...

GBoots,
FYI Deep customs about $1800
Ecs, Surefire customs also about the same...
One Sup customs about $1700
Sunova normal rrp + 5% for custom, 5% again for custom colour etc

I also really like the idea of the Infinity new deal 9 x 26 x 93L...different style of board but would be sick in crowded line up... but at $3k it's not cheap!

If you're shortboarding at 25 litres you wont to stand up those large floating board like SUP are on the sailing market now. And there are few chances to find the right shoe size for your feet. I reckon to you to do a custom board to fit your shortboard surfing style.
Like this board 88 litres would be velvet for you after some training.
Never give up the gift is at the end of the way.
www.shape3d.com/Viewers/Viewer3D.aspx?Account=6301&BoardName=MINE+BOARD

Kami, that board you linked too looks amazing. I ran into a guy on a recent surf trip to Costa Rica who had a similar shape and he was much bigger than me, with an 88L board. Have you seen Portal Surf Designs barra or phantom boards? This is what he was using and I think a link to his design explanation is somewhere in this thread. The round pin tail and slightly pulled in nose just makes sense to me. I think I'll start watching the local adds for a smaller fun shape or surf oriented SUP. I'd rather struggle on a cheaper used board than dish out $$$ for a custom, but maybe soon.

www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=%23&ved=2ahUKEwi7i8iBuarhAhWxKH0KHQuRCPUQwqsBMAN6BAgIEBA&usg=AOvVaw0VTJzWxrN8ZFOD4xbU2nov

toolate said..

LightSUP808 said..
Am I on a board that's to big and makes it more difficult? I bought my first SUP last summer 8'2 x 32 x 4.25 = 122L and I learned pretty quick but seem to have stalled out. The board feels tippy but yet it's way over volumed for my size (5'10") 65kg. I borrowed a friends 112L board and had a lot more fun surfing and it wasn't any harder to balance on. I'm relatively new to the sport, but my go to surfboard is a 5'2 25L board so no problem surfing. Maybe I would benefit from a second hand 90Lish board and struggle for a few weeks, or is this too much of a volume jump from my current board? That 122L board I have now is great for little knee to chest high sets but when it gets a bit bigger I feel like I'm trying to steer a boat by walking around on the deck. I imagine the struggle to paddle out and stay upright in the flat stuff might be worth the effort if I can catch a wave, plant my feet and actually surf rather than hang on. Anyone have advice on progression? After reading through some comments 1.3 ratio or 85L might even be possible!?

i am same size as you but 58 yo. I jumped from 8'7" JL SG to 7'10 ST. I fall a lot on the new board. Miss some waves. If it is really windy or choppy i use the bigger board. BUT on the wave NO COMPARISON! The Supertech begs to be pushed hard. And I make manuevers i could never make on the bigger board. WAY more fun even with the frustration. And much better workout.

Toolate, you said the meanest :
WAY more fun even with the frustration. And much better workout. NO COMPARISON could never make on bigger board, etc... whatever the shape and whatever body weight or size are the most important is maneuvers!
Ans as Hoppo said you can go, under than 88 litres for 65 kg.
Effectively this board shown in a 3D view come from a study made been influenced by the Portal phantom. I'm glad you like the pull in the nose from the original outline but it can be more tippy to paddle on...but I had to say never give up paddling o a tippy board because the more effective is the way you feel the wave once you take off. fOnly short boarders know the feelings

Naish use to make "Keiki" boards .
Those may have been ideal

Thanks Potty . Impressive.
You must have an amazing core and strength . An Acid of that size needs some seriously good balance and foot placement

You also raise a good point about
wave count vs quality . Wave count is important to me as I get limited opportunity and I also haven't got the skills to be in a crowded pocket . Not yet and maybe never

I am satisfied with the boards I have and my wave count that's for sure but I would not mind taking it to next level.

End of season is not far away and there will be sales so this may be a good opportunity to find something during the off-season.

Johndesu said..
I just want to give my advice which is maybe go short and wide, I can only tolerate a 7.6 X 27.5 = 90L for larger surf now, a 7.4 x 28.5 = 85L for crappy conditions, but my all rounder is a 7.2 x 30" = 90L for everything, I feel like a longer board is just too hard / does not turn quick enough and a short board handles and surfs much better and is more fun!:-)

I think it depends on the wave speed.
Short and wide gives you the power in your surf the wave lacks.
But when you begin to nurse your turns as the waves gain power, it is time to reduce the width.
Note that it is often easy to shape thin rails on wide boards (you can hide the volume away from the rails), a good compromise.

Well I've dropped a heap of weight and now sit at 82kg. Mostly surfing a 7'2 x 25 jp surf pro. Only a few surfs in but it's feeling OK.

In fact, my 7'4 90litre board felt worse the lower weight. Something about the jp I think.

Anyway, I just got a 7'5 x 24 ex harry maskell board at 75l to try - hopefully this weekend.

I've been enjoying the challenge of dropping board size, so much so it's been the driving factor of my weight loss. Been a very long time since I've fitted in 30inch jeans ??

Back to points raised before. Start with what you want, commit and then be determined and patient! You'll get there

Thanks Matt.
Lots of generosity on this site . Amazing group of people.
Appreciate the offers from yourself and Potty.
What I really need to do as just go for it and buy a low litre board and put in the hard yards. Sounds like it's worth a shot. Probably will need some boring flat water paddle sessions to get my sea legs first .