Looking at getting back on a smaller board after a long time riding logs.

85kg
Fairly fit
25yrs old
181cm
Waves 1-5 foot, beach breaks.
Ability level when I was riding shortboards, was intermediate. Happy with big cutbacks, hitting the lip, and basic floaters.

I will be buying off Boardcave.com and the calculator suggested a JR Voodoo, 5'11" x 20"3/8 x 2"5/8, volume of 34L.

This is a fairly fatter board than I used to ride, and I am tossing up between getting something a little slimmer for better performance, or sticking with the larger volume for a better wave count, easier paddling, and just to ease the transition on to a short board again.
I don't want to fall in to the trap of getting a tiny board again, the whole reason I moved on to logs when I was younger was that I wanted to increase my wave count.

Does 34L sound right for my build? As a bonus question, has anyone ridden the JR Voodoo?

Another board recommended was the DMS Crumpet.

Rusty magic door

I dont want this to turn into another AUS vs CHINA debate.

But the Hayden Hypto Crypto is a great all rounder.

I have one in my arsenal as the board i use for "not sure which board to use" days.

Its sick.

Not a carbon rail job either, straight glass

Yep, got a JR Voodoo. 6'2" 40ltrs ! (3 months ago).. I'm 6'1", 80kgs, (and grey).

Was recommended as a step up (down ?) from a super fish.

As I'm a bit of an old goat, I needed something that was easy to catch waves, but small enough to start getting some turns in.

I love it , it's got truckloads of foam, and it does all the stuff that it was recommended for me.. but maybe I'll go for something a bit less bouyant soon.

... and I get the feeling , that you know what you're doing, and even though you're heavier and its smaller than mine, you may want a change fairly soon.

Have a look at some of the Channel Islands Boards (dumpster, and the motor boat), they carry plenty of volume at around 34-35 ltrs at 5'10" without feeling too fat. I am a similar weight to you and have recently bought the JS matrix which is very similar in volume and does the job nicely.

I still have my smaller boards sitting around somewhere, they are at around 20-25L, so I always have options to fall back on when the surf gets a little bigger.

Just after something that will bring a smile to my face and get more time on the water. Did you get yours in PU or EPS?

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zarb said..

I still have my smaller boards sitting around somewhere, they are at around 20-25L, so I always have options to fall back on when the surf gets a little bigger.

Just after something that will bring a smile to my face and get more time on the water. Did you get yours in PU or EPS?

If you're talking to me,, all singing and dancing 201 triflex..
I don't know Jacksht about technicalities, but I love it.. I conversed a little with Jason at JR prior to buying,, his only concern was maybe a little too much volume, but he was very cool about it..

You might find this chart useful;
www.rustysurfboards.com/

I can also vouch for the rusty magic door great board!!

^ nice chart!

Or instead of buying an overpriced Aussie pop out or supporting Channel Islands and sending your money to USA, if your going to spend $700 - $850 and see your local shaper for a custom.

What!!!! and pay $600/650 for a custom board then get a legrope, deckgrip and a cover, then still have enough change out of $850 to buy a couple of slabs or a set of fins. Absurd!!!!

Maybe try a JS blak box. it work really well at getting me fully hooked and stoked. I had a 6'2x20.5x2.5 ~36L and was great.

Once i got more paddle fit went to a Matt Hurworth hybrid (kinda like a dumpster diver) 5'11x 19.75x2.5 ~32L which went great also and a good mate of mine now rides it in preference to his HPSB 95% of the time.
You guys on the East have a huge range of shapers close by, go have a chat!

I dont think the DMS crumpet would be ur go to board. Yes they look amazing but something a little more conventional sounds the go for a short board comeback board.

Hybrid over retro for sure.

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McDougal said..

Or instead of buying an overpriced Aussie pop out or supporting Channel Islands and sending your money to USA, if your going to spend $700 - $850 and see your local shaper for a custom.

Good point. Maybe you can post some details of local shapers in NSW?

Sam Egan makes excellent boards he is nsw

I hesitate to add, but it seems relevant. If you go for a locally shaped board (I see your from the Illawarra) Jim Parkinson of Jackson Surfboards has plenty of experience shaping short boards for guys who also ride long boards. I can highly recommend. www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au/

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AnthonyG said..
. I can highly recommend. www.jacksonsurfboards.com.au/

looks like he has plenty of demos as well.

Sweet thanks for that guys. I'll check him out. I thought the idea behind Boardcave was to make it easier to buy from the little-guys. But I am only seeing only 5-10 large shaping companies pop up for my options.

My very first board was an Egan board! Loved it to death until I passed it on to my little cousin. I'll check him and Jim Parkinson out.

Give Grant Miller, Miller Surfboards, a call he's shaping out of Ulladulla now great blokes to talk to and makes great boards just what your looking for. www.grantmillersurfboards.com.au/.

The Simon Anderson mollusc is a pretty good come back board, for guys easing back into short boards might be worth a look if you hav'nt purchased a board yet

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chrispychru said..

Sam Egan makes excellent boards he is nsw

Sam does and lots of other good ones in Newcastle too if your around this area Zarb.

My back to SB board is a 6x21.

Much the same as you rode LBs/ mid lengths pretty much everything other than a standard HP shorty for the last 10 years and got this one before Xmas and have hardly ridden anything else...