I've been riding softies at Bondi for the past 9 months, mostly a 7'6 and lately a 5'8. The 5'8 feels great in tiny waves, but doesn't work with my abilities in anything above 3 feet (can't get the rail to stick - I know it's the rider, not the board). However, I can duck it, as opposed to the 7'6, which is comfortable.

I've decided to get a fibreglass board, most likely a 7S Superfish, probably a 6'6. I'm 179cm and weigh around 73 kg. Am I just buying into all the 7S marketing, or is this a good board for my abilities? If anyone can suggest alternative boards in the Sydney area, I'd be open to hear out (but please don't ask me to talk to my "local shaper" as I don't know his/her name or number, but if you can name one, I'd be interested...).

shop.surfindustries.com/au/brands/7s-surfboards/

I've been surfing a 7S Superfish for about 4yrs. Have version 1 and v2 - both in PU (fibreglass) and epoxy construction. Mate has the v3 which you are looking at...

I have been very happy with mine from both a surfing point of view and longevity (construction). The fish shape will help get you into many waves a normal shortboard might struggle with. The more waves you catch the more practice you are getting and the better you will become.

I am 178cm, 112kg and ride the 7'3"... so they have plenty of float... mine is 53lt I think, so the 6'6" should be fine for you.

My son started out on the seven S I rate them as a starter. The added bonus is they perform well so they have the ability to last a long time as you improve. You seem to have the length sorted I would suggest a 6"8"

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GPA said..
I've been surfing a 7S Superfish for about 4yrs. Have version 1 and v2 - both in PU (fibreglass) and epoxy construction. Mate has the v3 which you are looking at...

I have been very happy with mine from both a surfing point of view and longevity (construction). The fish shape will help get you into many waves a normal shortboard might struggle with. The more waves you catch the more practice you are getting and the better you will become.

I am 178cm, 112kg and ride the 7'3"... so they have plenty of float... mine is 53lt I think, so the 6'6" should be fine for you.

Can you duck dive a board with that much float? (53lt)

I'm 93 and duck dive 7' boards with 48 litres no worries at all. I struggle with my 8' gun at 58, but I think that is partly the extra volume, but more the length and the wider nose with a larger percentage of the volume pushed forward. That's not to say I can't duck dive it, but three footers are about it. Much bigger and I get caught.

The other thing about larger volumes is you don't need to duck dive as much because the extra paddle power gets you out of the way quicker.

Rode a 6,8 PU and it went great, very easy to surf.

Bought a 6'0 fiberglass 7s for a cheap summer board . It didn't last 6 months absolutely caved the deck in. Other than that easy to surf

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Soggy said..
Bought a 6'0 fiberglass 7s for a cheap summer board . It didn't last 6 months absolutely caved the deck in. Other than that easy to surf

Hmmm- mine's a Thailand board and it's still good all over?

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ManFish said..

GPA said..
I've been surfing a 7S Superfish for about 4yrs. Have version 1 and v2 - both in PU (fibreglass) and epoxy construction. Mate has the v3 which you are looking at...

I have been very happy with mine from both a surfing point of view and longevity (construction). The fish shape will help get you into many waves a normal shortboard might struggle with. The more waves you catch the more practice you are getting and the better you will become.

I am 178cm, 112kg and ride the 7'3"... so they have plenty of float... mine is 53lt I think, so the 6'6" should be fine for you.

Can you duck dive a board with that much float? (53lt)

Yes, it's not too bad - the epoxy is a bit harder due to the extra buoyancy, but you just gotta push the nose down more... I also have a 7'6" mini-mal/hybrid thing at 58lt and with the rounded nose that's noticeably hard to DD. Don't forget I have the extra Kgs to leverage

Jeez Drip, at 93 & still surfin' ya doin' good. Duck diving must be getting harder!

The epoxys are pretty strong, the non glossed polys are the weakest

But the shapes work, customs from Wizstix on Central coast(POLY ONLY)

Knee to head high they are a versatile board but not for sucky reefs.

Sorry, Version 1&2 customs from Wiztix...version 3 is a different designer

I knew Garry Loveridge (Wizstix) did v1 of the GSI superfish but did he do v2? I've got both in epoxy and they are very different boards to ride despite looking very similar.

Thanks for the pointers on the various Superfish models. Since no alternatives came up, I purchased the 6'6 Superfish 3 as planned. I don't really want to comment on the performance, as I'm not that skilled (other than that turning is way easier on this board than all the softies I've been on so far). But in case anyone is wondering about the float, this board (epoxy 39 liters) floats me about the same as my Softech Jake Levy 5'8, meaning that when I place my 73 kilos (plus steamer) with the board level between my legs, the waterline is pretty much exactly on my belly button. So that should give others who are wondering about comparisons to similar soft or PU boards some guide about how it paddles and duck dives as well.

B
i bought a 7s super fish 3 the other day.
surfed it once and noticed this pattern appearing in the tail end and some on the nose.
Small cracks have appeared as well.
only surfed once.
Any pointers on what to do?

^^^
Perhaps take a wider shot - it's hard to see what is going on with that close-up.

Get rid of it
Support a local shaper instead of some overseas ****e. That way if stuff like this happens with their boards you can talk to them .

The cloth pattern of the glass. sometimes when boards get bumped they bruise. Well that's what someone tried to tell me about their board. Cracks magically appearing I got nothing on that bro,not even from cloth man

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Soggy said..
Get rid of it
Support a local shaper instead of some overseas ****e. That way if stuff like this happens with their boards you can talk to them .

Agreed.
I was unaware it was a Pop Out Board as I had never heard of them.
Was told they are at the for fount of surfing tech.Swallowed the sales pitch hook, Line and sinker.
Ive been surfing my old board for about 7 years and yes it shows wear and tear. It should its seven years old.
I don't rate them for quality either.
Returning today and swapping it over.
What are Strapper boards like?

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chrispy said..
The cloth pattern of the glass. sometimes when boards get bumped they bruise. Well that's what someone tried to tell me about their board. Cracks magically appearing I got nothing on that bro,not even from cloth man

Cheers for the reply.
The board has not been bumped. Only surfed once. It looks like the deck is separating in spots.
surely this is not normal.
The cracks mentioned in the nose area look to be more stress marks.
Again this is not normal

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Aussiemail said...

Soggy said..
Get rid of it
Support a local shaper instead of some overseas ****e. That way if stuff like this happens with their boards you can talk to them .

Agreed.
I was unaware it was a Pop Out Board as I had never heard of them.
Was told they are at the for fount of surfing tech.Swallowed the sales pitch hook, Line and sinker.
Ive been surfing my old board for about 7 years and yes it shows wear and tear. It should its seven years old.
I don't rate them for quality either.
Returning today and swapping it over.
What are Strapper boards like?

Not sure mate . I've gone through so many boards now I only ride Chris Garrett or Clearwater. they are awesome and very strong and very well priced. I've still busted a few but that's by doing stupid **** like taking of on rank close outs. Get a relationship going with a shaper Steve del Roso has been shaping mine for 17+ years and knows exactly what I like

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Aussiemail said..

Soggy said..
Get rid of it
Support a local shaper instead of some overseas ****e. That way if stuff like this happens with their boards you can talk to them .

Agreed.
I was unaware it was a Pop Out Board as I had never heard of them.
Was told they are at the for fount of surfing tech.Swallowed the sales pitch hook, Line and sinker.
Ive been surfing my old board for about 7 years and yes it shows wear and tear. It should its seven years old.
I don't rate them for quality either.
Returning today and swapping it over.
What are Strapper boards like?

Strapper are pretty good...are you in Vicco?

Yup west Melbourne
any local shaper you know of?
been looking at Zak Surf boards of late
any chance you know anything about them?

Cheers

Hey Aussiemail,

I'm not sure the image is of the SF3 if have only been in Carbon Vector for the past 18 months. If you have an issue send me an email with some images and I can check it out.

Mark Kelly
CEO
Global Surf Industries

kel@surfindustries.com