I would like to share my first time experience with others who are considering riding a surfboard.

So I got a 5'10 surfboard on eBay for $100 to give it a try. I normally ride a TT but never been on a surfboard. It was a bit tricky to get on the board at first, I was in choppy water and the waves washed it away very easy. But then with some downward pressure with my feet on the deck I managed to keep the board steady while diving the kite.

I was surprised I got up and riding quite easy after about 5 attempts. It is so much more efficient in the water and going through the chop is much easier than a TT. Staying up wind was as easy as the TT. The stance is much more comfortable and I did not get the ache in the back leg like I normally get on the TT. You don't need to bend the back leg as much.

I think I will most likely totally convert to riding a strapless surfboard. Now I just have to learn to swap feet and turn direction without sinking back in.

I feel the exact opposite. On my 6'2 i am hitting bumps like a crazy. Then I get on my 128 twintip and it is smooth as a mutha... plus the added foot protection of not coming off.

Hi

I am looking to get into directional riding but really struggling to pick a board, I have narrowed it down to the following options:
Cabrinha: Spade 2017, Phenom 2016 and the Secret Weapon 2016.
North: Wam 2017 or Nuget TT 2017

My Weight is ?95 to ?100kg and i am 6.2ft.
Does Volume matter?

Can anyone help

KR

Buddy23 said..
Hi

I am looking to get into directional riding but really struggling to pick a board, I have narrowed it down to the following options:
Cabrinha: Spade 2017, Phenom 2016 and the Secret Weapon 2016.
North: Wam 2017 or Nuget TT 2017

My Weight is ?95 to ?100kg and i am 6.2ft.
Does Volume matter?

Can anyone help

KR

Yes, volume does matter. I'm pretty much the same weight/height as you.

I currently ride a 6'1" Airush Converse has 27ltrs of volume. I started on a 6'3" 32ltr board (circle one, swallow tail) and found it was easier to get up and going. Easier for gybes & switching feet around. I'm strapless.

Now I'm better I only miss the volume on the lighter wind days.

The bigger board was a pain when the wind picked up, 25+ as it was difficult to dig the edge in and hold the power.
The Converse is better in every dept. I just miss those 5ltrs on the lighter days.

I still have the C1 , but it got driven over, took out two fin boxes and one side rail. Looks good on the wall tho' ;)

In my experience volume will make your life easier for the early surfboard experience. Then get a smaller less volume board as your skills improve. Keeping the larger volume for light wind days.

I did read somewhere on here, a good rule of thumb was to go for a third of your body weight to ltrs. so 100kgs? = 33lts in volume.

A local guy to me rides a Wham and he's not far off my weight. But he does ride pull & go kites. Delta style kites, where he's got power all the time. I don't like kites like that. Each to their own :)

HTH

bigtone667 said..

Another board to consider is the Firewire Evo. It carries me as well as the nugget, but handles significantly better in waves.

I hear good things about the Firewire Tomo / Evo. boards

North nugget. Stable, easy to recover balance and Planes easily in light wind. Does not turn as easy as other boards ive tried but definately helps with learning the base skills.