New Board: WWMD?

[hop]

I'm toying with the idea of a new surfboard this summer (yeah, I reaaallly need one :rolleyes2 ). Something to slay the PNW summer mush that will compliment my 7'2" Point Blanks Rocket Sled, which always seems to let me know when I'm not bringing my A-game to the beach. But when I am on it, oh baby!!!!! :yourock:
http://www.pointblanks.com/jpeg/boards/large/rkt_sled.jpg

I'm torn between a longboard-ish shape (let's face it, I'm pretty shitty and a longboard would definitely get me more waves) and a fish (let's face it, fish are super cool). The only "catch" is it has to be a Point Blanks board.

This fish is pretty cool,
http://www.pointblanks.com/jpeg/boards/large/quark.jpg

but then again, this could be just the ticket!
http://www.pointblanks.com/jpeg/boards/large/micky_m.jpg

[peterslovo]

Get a longboard - you won't regret it - one of the best and most versatile boards to have in a quiver. I started out on a longboard, switched to riding only shortboards, but over the past few years have been riding about 50-50 long/short, depending on conditions.

If you're still relatively new to surfing, the longboard will help you learn weighting the board's rails much more than a fish, which is an extremely 'skatey' board. in my opinion, a longboard will also help develop a better eye for paddling out at a break...duckdiving longboards is not fun (welcome the turtle roll), and you'll learn to read a break so you minimize having to turtle roll. You'll also paddle faster, catch more waves, and probably have more fun.

I find it very funny to see guys paddling out at some of my nearby breaks on a 6'0 fish with no idea how to surf, flail around in the waves, not catch anything, get in the way, and when they catch a wave, not be able to generate enough speed down the line because they're not comfortable with the extremely loose feel of a fish. But man, do they look really cool doing it. Screw looking cool. We were all kooks at some point, so go get a board that will help you become a better surfer and more experienced waterman.

[hop]

Peter, that's exactly what I was thinking.

[peterslovo]

Also, not sure where you are located (PNW?), but thicker boards float better meaning not so much of your body is in that darned cold water! That's key here in Maine winters! :D

[rightcoast]

longboard. i guarantee you will have fun on it. get a 3-fin, around 9ft, it might even end up being your favorite board in the quiver.

[tuffy109]

Get a longboard - you won't regret it - one of the best and most versatile boards to have in a quiver.

please explain how a longboard is the most versatile board in a quiver.

[peterslovo]

please explain how a longboard is the most versatile board in a quiver.

It all comes down to personal taste, but I stand by that statement. You can't ride a 6'0 fish all too-well in double overhead+ surf, and you can't ride an 8'0 gun in 2-ft mushy beachbreak. Those boards are too specific for certain wave types. Hence, why we tend to have quivers...of surfboards, skis, bikes, etc.

However, you CAN ride a longboard in all of the above and the board will handle well in both conditions. I've personally found that If I can't travel with my quiver, I bring just my longboard. Hasn't failed me yet.

[tuffy109]

you're surfing your longboard in double overhead surf. of course you are.

[peterslovo]

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5024&stc=1

Not to go back and forth on this, but this was on one of the smaller waves of the day and yes, I am surfing my longboard; sets were solid 10-12'+ (measured trough-crest, not hawaiian measurement). beautiful 200-300 yd rights...

anyway, picture quality sucks...scanned image....

[PappaG]

please explain how a longboard is the most versatile board in a quiver.
You can take it out when it's waist-high, head-high, overhead, double overhead....doesn't matter.

And when all the snappies are putzing around on small surf getting all of 2 or 3 turns, we soulsurfers will at least be noseriding.

The bigger the wave, the better my board seems to ride.

[tuffy109]

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=5024&stc=1



that X has a pretty big face.;)

anywho, you're all wrong, this is the most versatile board ever.

http://deweyweber.com/images/products/fetherfastback_tn.jpg

[rightcoast]

please explain how a longboard is the most versatile board in a quiver.

i agree. like i said, maybe not 10'0 single fun, but a modern "performance" longboard is very versatile. can cruise knee high crap as well as throttle down the line on big days. i cant claim 2x overhead, but i have ridden my 9'2 in solid 9-10 ft days and absolutly love it.