ok, i know i'm supposed to be retired, but i see a lot of questions about 12'6 bop or dw boards boards.i'm over forty, but paddled a lot, surf dw boards at least 4 times a week and as everybody reminds me, i've had a couple of boards---

so this is what i look for if it's any help for someone

ok, first up- must be really stable. if you have to do any stablity work in the flats- forget it. it's going to be a lot worse in the surf and ocean.

next, the board has to have some speed of course, but also look for some glide. does it pretty much stop when you stop?

ok, a bit of surf time, probably max size 2 to 3 ft and don't go to d bar or any other full on surf break. you have to be able to take off and surf in, not straight into a sandbank.
paddling out-the waters getting rougher, but it still should be still reasonably easy to use

when paddling to a broken wave a single foot back should be enough to climb over.
the water shouldn't be grabbing at the board too much and if you have to punch into a wave- same thing. another thing is if you see a set of waves coming -are you comfortable to be in the impact or broken zone or are you freaking out?

the board should be able to do a semi kick turn with out falling off

surfing these boards means you got to step back and forth quickly. does the board get wobbly when you step back?

a bigger wave still should be comfortable to take off on

does it pick up early. does it like to drop down the 'steps" and like being in the trough following the bump in front

can you turn off a wave like your shortboard sup?

a good bop/dw board will surf along a wave, but be careful and don't push your luck- be smart and remember what you are actually riding

if a board does all these things at your particular level- your on a winner and most probably it's going to be good for you dw ing too.

if you feel it's too easy try something that looks a bit harder ie maybe faster and compare, but imo i would take the easy board that requires least work. you really just want to be able to paddle 100% hard and enjoy it without working too stay on it- that's just wasting effort

hope this helps somebody
cheers
ps boards at 12'6 are harder to dw, so stability is a must at this size
pps i'll add a neat little trick in. boards will often slap down the backside of a wave- not good. try tilting the board a little when you just get over the wave and let come down more so on one rail. with a bit of practice you will be able to stop that dreaded 'is my board still in one piece sound'

Dont worry Lacey, most addicts have to quit more than once (twice, 3 times, 29 times,) to really beat the habit...

Madagascar?

so what are you currently paddling and whatdo you feel has been your Fav

yeah casso paddled to 3rd place in the racing side of things a BOP style course on his newy today at the SPSC meet well done mate.He was beaten by the 12'6 fanactic afew guys rate this board highly of late.
Yeah i agree dales dw/bop/race boards look really good and i havnt really seen the SIC but im sure there sick!
So who shaped this no name board your refering to?

laceys lane said...

dtm said...

yeah casso paddled to 3rd place in the racing side of things a BOP style course on his newy today at the SPSC meet well done mate.He was beaten by the 12'6 fanactic afew guys rate this board highly of late.
Yeah i agree dales dw/bop/race boards look really good and i havnt really seen the SIC but im sure there sick!
So who shaped this no name board your refering to?

yeah, going for super stability is the go and that's what the fanatic gives.
super top speed isn't the be all and end all.
they are well worth have a good look at
cheers

btw, just an idea, why not do some homework, check a few out and make your own?

my shaping bay and glassing room can only do up to 10 foot in lenght and im more a shortboard/surfing sup specialist.
Yeah i hear there may be a narrow model coming out down the line for the skinny folk