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Tagging along with some pretty talented surfers and not too interested in bringing longboards. Problem is I’ve never ridden anything shorter than maybe 8’6″. What shapes, sizes would any of you recommend for me to pick up? Thinking two, maybe three boards in case I get waxed and break one. Please send details as I’m moving into unchartered territory.
Thanks amigos….
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Hey CGClaus, woo hooooooo, the Telos! You are in for a treat but this is a really tough question.
What do your mates recommend for you?
Importantly, do you have time to get used to riding shorter boards before you go on your trip? I think you’re right to bring shorter boards, provided you have time to get used to riding them before you go? I do not recommend heading over there with a quiver of new, untested shortboards if you’re primarily a longboarder. You need to feel comfortable with your quiver. The waves in Indo are, in general, fast, powerful and challenging!
That said, we have two articles I recommend reading – one for the Maldives and one for the Mentawais. I haven’t surfed the Telos but I’ve heard that the waves are a little smaller and less heavy vs. the Mentawais and a touch more powerful and challenging vs. the Maldives so these should give you some perspective.
Again, you’ll be in quite a unique situation as a longboarder. I normally recommend someone in your situation look at scaled up shortboard shapes to transition to you don’t have a huge adjustment. For example:
1) 6’6 Haydenshapes Hypto Krypto: http://bit.ly/BuyHSHyptoKrypto (this is a forgiving all rounder that still performs…a lot of surfers swear by it) – for the more mellow waves over there
2) 6’4 Stacey Flathead: http://bit.ly/ShopStaceyFlathead – a great middle ground board that handles bigger, more critical waves but also flatter faced, smaller stuff
3) 6’8 / 6’10 / 7’0 Haydenshapes Ando: http://bit.ly/BuyHaydenshapesAndo – one of my favourite shortboards ever…for when it’s good!
The name of the game will be length, width and volume given you will be dropping in size considerably…and most important, riding the boards enough to feel comfortable with them before your trip!
Has anyone else been in this situation? It would be great to get someone with first hand experience of this unique situation to help with some advice!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Benny -
Many thanks, Benny.
I did remember that I used to own and surf a 7’6″ fun-board in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Malibu, but not sure that’s going to get it done over there. In Costa Rica (or maybe Nicaragua) last year I made an attempt to surf a buddy’s 6’4″ and it was way too squirly for me. Accordingly, I need a shape that has a little stability.
Unfortunately (for surf conditions), I left California ten years ago and now live in Charleston, SC. Unless a hurricane swell comes in, not a lot to ride a short board on. On an infrequent decent swell we’re looking at 2′. Typically anything larger than that carries a lot of wind which blows the swell out. That said, I guess I just need to borrow some boards and try to surf them prior.
More comments welcome….
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