OK so I'm a bit out of the shortboard loop. I'm 44, 6'3" and around 95kg and have surfed regularly since I was about 10. I'm still surfing a couple of times a week however for the last 10 years have been on 7'2-8'0" Minimal style boards. My current board is 7'6" and is light and thin and I can throw around OK in most conditions, but when I'm surfing sucky beachbreaks and committing to late takeoffs in shallow water its just too long (plus I just want an excuse for a new board!).

So, I'm now looking for a fun shortboard for small-medium surf, in predominantly sucky beachbreak conditions (Sunshine Coast). I'm no longer pulling into closeouts for fun, but still enjoy hitting the lip and want something which can carve a solid bottom turn, have enough speed and drive even in smaller stuff, give me sufficient flotation/paddle speed and I something I can be comfortable on in most conditions without feeling like I'm riding a matchstick.

I'm not after a high performance board but do need it to edge nicely, be solid in bottom turns and cutbacks and be reasonably tough (I usually only turn over boards every 5-6 years)

Is this all possible in one board? I'm thinking ideal length will be around 6'6" -6'8" but not sure of widths/thicknesses etc. Are there any standout designs for big boofy blokes who can surf OK that I should be looking at? I would prefer to support a local shaper (any recommendations in Noosa area?) but if there's a certain style of board which is a favourite with bigger guys and not available locally I'm also happy to listen to your advice.

Thanks in anticipation. Dave

Check out Simon boards he is a big bloke himself.

JS do an off the rack big guy board, check his website. failing that you must have a shaper close to you?

Locky24 from longboard room has some real nice looking big bloke shortboards. He is from Qld I think. Maybe send him a message

One that springs to mind is the Firewire Dominator in the FST construction. Pretty much ticks the boxes you are after. Bit stronger than normal and you can definitely ride them shorter and they perform really well. I'm 6'1" and 90 kgs and ride a 6'0". They like being ridden off the back foot and are real smooth from rail to rail. Good up to around 4' I reckon and might go beyond but I'm generally already on another of my boards by then.

I haven't ridden one (although I am keen) but JS seem to have a couple that could fit the bill as well. The Luke Egan range could do the trick.

Dare I suggest that you check out the 7S SuperFish II as a quad either in PU or epoxy...

I'm 46yo and 112kg, and ride the 7'3" surfing in fast breaking beachies... I came off a 7'6" custom mini-mal which I loved for 4yrs. The 7S is fast and loose, and has PLENTY of paddle power.

I had the PU SFv1 for 4yrs before going the SFv2 in epoxy a few months ago...

There's a lot of haters (GSI pop-out), but this board goes well in fat mush to overhead walls.

Just something to consider...

I am a similar weight to you and ride a 6'2" CI POD a lot - its got a heap of volume through the front of the board which gives you lots of paddle power. Its also holds its own up to about 1.5 times overhead yet goes great in 2ft if required. I also ride a 5'10" Firewire Sweet Potato - so there are lots of boards out there for ya. Check out the volume side of things and use 40 litres as a rough guide - that will float you no worries. Arrgee from seabreeze makes some beautiful shapes for fun small waves (check out goddard surfboards) so send him a PM or just head to a local shaper up your way and tell him what you are after and he will make it for ya in about 3 weeks. Happy hunting.

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GPA said...
Dare I suggest that you check out the 7S SuperFish II as a quad either in PU or epoxy...

I'm 46yo and 112kg, and ride the 7'3" surfing in fast breaking beachies... I came off a 7'6" custom mini-mal which I loved for 4yrs. The 7S is fast and loose, and has PLENTY of paddle power.

I had the PU SFv1 for 4yrs before going the SFv2 in epoxy a few months ago...

There's a lot of haters (GSI pop-out), but this board goes well in fat mush to overhead walls.

Just something to consider...

Funny enough now I've dropped some weight i'm really keen to get the Super fish back out and give it a blast..Mine though is only 6'6" and i was around 100 (and a bit) but now sitting easy on 90.. Should go well

I reckon it's worth having a quick look at Classic Malibu's shop in Noosaville if you are up that way. I've found they usually have a really quirky selection of second hand stuff - i got a 6'6 Egg there that is just great fun, saw a good Simon Anderson Mollusc there a while back and on their website just now there's a McCoy Nugget (some big blokes luv em). But their own new boards are really nice -great shapes, good glassing - and despite the name of the biz they do great shortboards.
It's nice to shop somewhere where you can smell the resin from the shaping bay next door. I am sure there are plenty of other local options around too. I'm just mentioning this cos I have had a couple of good boards from them and they give good service with none of the greasy, cheesy wankery you get in so many surf shops these days (and none of the BS lightweight glass jobs either). Geez, i am sounding like a cranky old bastard, i better get back to the SUP forum. Happy hunting!

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wavelength said...
I reckon it's worth having a quick look at Classic Malibu's shop in Noosaville if you are up that way. I've found they usually have a really quirky selection of second hand stuff - i got a 6'6 Egg there that is just great fun, saw a good Simon Anderson Mollusc there a while back and on their website just now there's a McCoy Nugget (some big blokes luv em). But their own new boards are really nice -great shapes, good glassing - and despite the name of the biz they do great shortboards.
It's nice to shop somewhere where you can smell the resin from the shaping bay next door. I am sure there are plenty of other local options around too. I'm just mentioning this cos I have had a couple of good boards from them and they give good service with none of the greasy, cheesy wankery you get in so many surf shops these days (and none of the BS lightweight glass jobs either). Geez, i am sounding like a cranky old bastard, i better get back to the SUP forum. Happy hunting!

Cheers mate I have shopped with them before (wetsuits etc) but hadn't really considered them for shortboards, so thanks. Also will check out some of the other local shapers (Laguna Bay etc) and can hopefully find something to suit. As mentioned I already have a couple of mini-mals and a SUP so the shortboard will hopefully round out the quiver!

was at clearwater yesterday picking up a board and took some picks off some very nice big boy boards. one a all round fun board,the other, a h/p designed for a big boy to





ride. shaped from someones experience with years of shaping..not from someone who makes boats and calls themselves a shaper...enjoy,they are nice oops,the second board pic is off a board i liked for me for summer. will post the h/p when i find the pics will find the dim pics as well

have a look at a 66" bullseye , JS , its high profomance , light and has a 5 fin set up
cheers

have a look at a 66" bullseye , JS , its high profomance , light and has a 5 fin set up
cheers

Haha haven't seen a picture of steve del since he left WA years ago, Is he still as enthusiastic as ever Chrispy?

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soleman said...
Haha haven't seen a picture of steve del since he left WA years ago, Is he still as enthusiastic as ever Chrispy?

hahaha yeh del is a frother hey.its so good to see someone stoking as hard him,making wiked boards....now to get my new one the photos do not show off his new slime line profile(sorry del) will post up some more boards when i get home.

Hey Chrispy great photos,just wondering are you the new team rider

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62mac said...
Hey Chrispy great photos,just wondering are you the new team rider

how good would that be.. i would be able to shred and get free boards
nah just got lotta love for the del...my boards **** on yours,so nuff said anyway

Two mates having some banter,get over it will ya.

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62mac said...
Two mates having some banter,get over it will ya.

Get a room

Fixed ya reds

pfffffft to reds

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chrispychru said...
pfffffft to reds

Don't bring that **** over hear

Hey DaveyG
This one (via the link) might be a bit long and just a smidge overpriced, but it looks like fun. There's a little extra width and thickness. Plus the nose shape is pretty refined so there's not that much board in the first few inches:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tewantin/surfing/southcoast-surfboard/1010046514
... then again, maybe i'm just old and i like the clean lines and promise of a decent glass job!
Anyway - as you probably know, once you've checked seabreeze, then the local shops, gumtree is worth a browse. Maybe this is why i have three boards and two SUPs. I should stop looking now. Cheers.

I'm 6'1" 100kg. Yep, Simon, JS, bourton even Handley making a couple of good big guy options.

Make sure you get something with a quad option in slop it makes a huge difference.

Don't know about Simon or Handley but JS bullseye, revolution or kingpin are good (I've got the kingpin) though not necessarily a fan of the construction myself as it is bit light for a big guy (personal preference).

I looked at the firewire dominator also but couldn't do it as the rails in the bigger versions just don't look or feel right to me (though I admit to have never tried them)

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wavelength said...
Hey DaveyG
This one (via the link) might be a bit long and just a smidge overpriced, but it looks like fun. There's a little extra width and thickness. Plus the nose shape is pretty refined so there's not that much board in the first few inches:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/tewantin/surfing/southcoast-surfboard/1010046514
... then again, maybe i'm just old and i like the clean lines and promise of a decent glass job!
Anyway - as you probably know, once you've checked seabreeze, then the local shops, gumtree is worth a browse. Maybe this is why i have three boards and two SUPs. I should stop looking now. Cheers.

funny you should point out that one, I already have South Coast board with very similar dimensions and yes it does have a solid glass job but the downside is that it is so bloody heavy and fat that it is unpleasant to carry/ride. So its been sitting on my board rack for the last 5 years. Every now and then I drag it out thinking "it can't be that bad' but after one ride, back on the rack it goes.....

On the other hand Ive had 2 x South Coast mini mals and they have both been awesome light fun and responsive boards

I'm sure I'll narrow it down soon. Cheers