underdog
Beach Bum 
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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 posted on 14-8-2003 at 22:55 |
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First post and after help
Ok, as it suggests I am after some help.
I spent most of my teenage years surfing, but for various reasons it got left behind in the end. So have now decided 7 years later that
surfing is what my life needs again.
So now I am looking for a new board, and boards have changed so much in 7 years, I learned on a 6ft 10 Mojo, then went to a 6ft6
session and finally to a 6ft4 T&C board.
I give my T&C a shot the other day and managed to stand up in 1 foot waves.
So I am after some basic advice on a new board size, I have been told to go for a 7ft 10 mini mal, which is not what I wanted to here.
I don't mind spending a little longer re learning on a smaller board, it's just since it's going to be new, I want it to last me as
long as possible for the cash.
I am 14 and a bit stone, but will probably dorp to about 13 once I get back in trianing etc, I'm 6ft tall. Oh I really want a short
board, surf in Wales.
Thanks guys, hope I have posted this in the right place
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justal
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| posted on 15-8-2003 at 05:36 |
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Hi Underdog,
Good to have you on-board here.
I know how you feel and how much you'd prefer to be on a shortboard. The biggest board I've ever surfed is 6'6" and I'm usually out on
my 5'10" fish, so I'm a shortboarder myself.
Two things though, you are quite bit bigger than me, and probably bigger and less fit / agile than you were in your teenage years.
Also, depending on where you surf, you might actually get more time on the water with a bigger board such as the mini-mal suggested...
Whats to stop you having two boards, a cheap second hand mini-mal to get you back into it, to use on smaller days and get you out in
the water as often as possible, and a nice shiny shortboard for when the waves are firing??
Secondly, as you say yourself, boards have changed a bit over the last few years. They are lighter, thinner and performance has
improved so that a longer board may actually surprise you with its performance anyway.
I'd prefer to be on a short board, but I'm beginning to think that I should have a long-board as well, just to make use of the smaller
days here. Theres no point making life difficult for yourself or forcing yourself to sit on the beach watching others enjoy themselves
just because the waves aren't big / good enough for you to get out there on your shortboard. I now its a matter of pride in a way and
the old fashioned way of looking at it was that long boards are for old people, but being old and on the water surfing is better than
being young and sat on the beach!!!
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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paul
A Force-of-Nature ** 
Member #: 5 Posts 445
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Well Chuffed
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| posted on 15-8-2003 at 08:48 |
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hi underdog,
I got shot of my 6ft and a bit board as I just had to admit I was too fat for it considering how little I was getting out, I now have a
7ft6" DHD, it's effectily a shortboard for the "larger gentleman" and although I'm not very good on it I love it.
have a look at some of the "fat boy flyers" that are around, sound like you need more float in your board, but you may not have to go
as far a mal.
enjoy
Home Page
http://www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org
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underdog
Beach Bum
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 15-8-2003 at 12:28 |
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Thanks for the replies guys.
I'm fairly fit, I play ice and roller hockey a lot, and so it helps my balance too.
It's the hockey off season right now, so am about a stone and a bit heavier than normal, will probably drop to bit under 13 stone when
back into it.
I'm not a fashionable guy, so it's not a fashion thing with the board size, but I am an aggresive surfer and want a board I can be
aggresive on.
I can get up on my 6ft 4 T&C in 1 ft surf on my first go in 7 years, so think my mind is still programmed to do the right things,
ha ha.
I was thinking of something in the 6ft 10 range, also ease of transport is a farily big factor since my car is soft top, so no roof
rack.
But I am listening to yur advice guys, thanks.
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justal
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| posted on 17-8-2003 at 06:55 |
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Go for it... If you have a 6'4" board anyway and get on OK with that, then a slightly longer one (6'10") will just give you more
versatility.
We'll be expecting to read diary entries containing stories of sick barrels and big aerials soon!! 
Al.
URL: Pixelwave Design - Website Design Wales
Shop: Website Templates
Personal Weblog: A Simple Life of Luxury in West Wales
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underdog
Beach Bum
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 17-8-2003 at 09:53 |
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I think you are more likely to here stories of tired arms, a lot of falling, and some swearing before the good stories start to
come.
I'm off to PJ's today see what boards he has got about and I'll make an order for whatever I decide on next week some time.
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underdog
Beach Bum
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 18-8-2003 at 13:57 |
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Well it's going to be either a pipedreams off the shelf job (nice and quik only 2 days wait) or a custom black salamander, hope touse
my shotbaord before I decide but well the waves are just never coming (
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paul
A Force-of-Nature **
Member #: 5 Posts 445
Registered: 24-7-2002 Member Is Offline Mood: Well Chuffed
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| posted on 18-8-2003 at 13:59 |
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what shape size you getting ?
don't forget to post pics and reports
Home Page
http://www.nationalwindsurfingweek.org
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underdog
Beach Bum
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 18-8-2003 at 14:11 |
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quote:
Originally posted by paul
what shape size you getting ?
don't forget to post pics and reports
I'm going to be getting something that looks like a short board but fatter and wider, and at about 6ft 8 or 6ft 10. The Pipedreams
baord ha a swallow tail, the other doesnt, it looks more like something I know.
I shall post pics, if it's a custom then I'l have something out of the ordinary on it
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underdog
Beach Bum
Member #: 321 Posts 18
Registered: 14-8-2003 Location: South Wales Member Is Offline Mood:
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| posted on 20-8-2003 at 07:58 |
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Ok orderd my new board, should have it in the next few days, it' an off the shelf Dahlburg swallow tail.
It's 6' 10" x 20" x 2 5/8 Should float enough for me to be back on my feet within a few weeks, well I hope so anyway.
[Edited on 20-8-2003 by underdog]
[Edited on 20-8-2003 by underdog]
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Pixelwave Web Design.
justal@forces-of-nature.co.uk