Looking for some advice on what type of board to get and a good size.

Basically, I'm a beginner - intermediate surfer. Probably more at the beginner end if I'm realistic and try and get out for a paddle once a week.

I'm 6ft 2 and about 86kgs.

I've just moved back to the coast and am looking for a new board that makes paddling easy, is fast in the water, really easy to ride and turn and will give me some room to grow and get better.

I have a 7'3 7S Superfish which has been a real struggle! I find it very hard to paddle and impossible to duck dive because it is super fat and flat and I can't wait to get rid of it!

A friend of mine encountered exactly the same problem and has transitioned to a Webber Fat Burner or Pulse and swears by it saying it ticks all the boxes I'm looking for.

Basically, I'd like to know whether I should go for the 6'6 or the 6'9? Based on what I've read they suggest the 6'6 for 85kgs and the 6'9 for 90kgs+.

Also, what people think of the Webber Fat Burner and whether there are any other similar boards I should consider?

I'm not wanting to ride a Mal and I know I won't have the time to commit to a short board.

I took nearly 20 years of surfing and getting back into short boards i was kiddng myself that i was still only 18 years old. Well i surfed a 6'6" Super fish and found it was a year wasted as being too small i was always tired from paddling. So maybe didn't get the progression i wanted over that time.

All i can say is don't short change yourself in board size. You'll find paddling, catching waves harder therefor hurting your progression. Im supprised you find the 7'3" hard to paddle? Maybe some swimming to get your fitness will also help. Did for me.

Can't help with the boards you've put up but if your leaning one way go the easier paddler and then upgrade laterIMHO

Hi Simo, I strongly recommend a Waterskate shaped by Grant Miller - www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au/
These boards paddle really well while still maintaining enough looseness to work on your turns. I've had 5 boards from Grant and the service and quality of his work is exceptional. My first Miller was a 6'8 waterskate and after a few years of refining I'm on a 6'5 V skate and surfing better than I was 20 years ago. Grant's not shaping at the moment but I have seen a fair few Waterskates go through Ebay lately

for size you've got it about right, I'm 6'1" and 105kg's ride a 6'6" so anything in that 6'6" to 6'9" should do the job. I ride a JS kingpin in 6'6" and that'd work alright or the revoltuion in same size would go alright also, not a huge fan of the construction though (great shapes but the blanks are clearly of variable quality and glass is light). Other options would be Bourton's fat bullet, Simon Andersons Mollusc, Handleys Margo nugget (6'8") or Monster or pretty much any of the Hybrid/Summer type options from the popular shapers. Have a look and see what looks/feels right if your still not sure/confident the best port of call is your local shaper (there are a few that post here, katana etc.) who should be able to give good advice.

Good luck

i would suggest you take your info and go and speak to a shaper

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chrispychru said...
i would suggest you take your info and go and speak to a shaper

Best advice yet. If your in WA, the guy at katana always seems super helpful on here, maybe he can hook you up with something just right.

Support your local shapers, you may not have heard of their brand in a surf mag, but you often get a superior product for a better price.
Most of them love to have a chat about what you need.

Your paddle problem: have you tried moving body position around the board to find the sweet spot? When I got my first longboard, I spent a month struggling to paddle it until I moved my body futher up to the nose and it paddled like a dream. Sometimes the little things are the ones need adjusting and it makes a whole lot of difference.

I'm 6'2 105kg and have a 6'6 webber fat burner. Can paddle, turn and duck dive it easy