Which Board? Stable and can be duck-dived

[surf patrol]

I am looking for advice. I am still relatively new to surfing and am not great at it if I am honest, I have always surfed on a 7'6 hand shaped minimal, on a recent surf trip I decided I would take the 6'8 NSP which I bought when I first started to learn to surf and wad told I should get a longer board so I haven't used it until this trip. I figured it may be a good idea to transition down in size to something shorter so I can learn to duck dive etc. However the surf instructor I was with was not impressed at my taking this board onto the reef, being an NSP and all, which I can understand but what are the alternatives? I am not ready for a short board yet, not sure if/when I will be but I still need something relatively stable with which I can duck-dive, any ideas?

Cheers, Amanda

[themathteacher]

Well, there are three things going on here. One: the stigma against NSP boards, they are super durable but everyone frown down on them as being inferior for surfing, what can I say. Besides the brand was there something wrong with it for that reef break? Two: do you feel the NSP to be too big? Too small? Too fish/disc like? Give us your thinking as to why a new board Three: what's your weight and how new to surfing is new? How long have you been surfing and how often do you get out?

[AJC808]

Thanks for the reply. The board was fine for the reef, I think the instructor was more concerned about the locals. I have been surfing for 6 years now, but only when I go on holiday, so I would say I am still a beginner, but not a complete novice. The board size is ok I think I am 174 cm & weigh 66 kilos, although as I said I am still learning to duck dive, it's not easy I think it is harder with this board as it has a lot of volume but not impossible, so I was just wondering if there might be any alternatives out there that may do a similar job that will be less 'frowned ' upon I guess?

[jaffa1949]

One great lesson to be learned by anyone aspiring to surf> It's about what works for you.
The board worked on the reef, end of story . Pity you didn't ask what his exact criticism was.

Don't worry about what locals think they have learnt to be unimpressed by tourist long ago, and there are bigger things to be unimpressed by than your board choice.

I've seen BICs., NSP 7S and other generic boards around the world even soft tops in strange and wonderous places. No wuckkas

[themathteacher]

So, to answer your question, your NSP is epoxy but made a little more heavy for durability. If you buy another epoxy you pretty much stick to your same size unless you think you need something different, like thinner or narrower. The new one will float a little more. However, if you buy a fiberglass board the samha and the e size it will float a little less, but I doubt at your weight you would not be able to handle it.

Lastly, if you aren't ready for a shortboard go with a hybrid or disc, for example my favorites are the Rusty Piranha and the Xanadu Pig. Your NSP is probably a disc type board itself

[AJC808]

Ok thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I will take a look at the boards mentioned, I do like my NSP but it would be nice to try something else too, thanks

[AJC808]

So, to answer your question, your NSP is epoxy but made a little more heavy for durability. If you buy another epoxy you pretty much stick to your same size unless you think you need something different, like thinner or narrower. The new one will float a little more. However, if you buy a fiberglass board the samha and the e size it will float a little less, but I doubt at your weight you would not be able to handle it.

Lastly, if you aren't ready for a shortboard go with a hybrid or disc, for example my favorites are the Rusty Piranha and the Xanadu Pig. Your NSP is probably a disc type board itself

I forgot to ask would I get away with a 6'6 do you think? Or should I go for the 6'10? Thanks

[themathteacher]

Did you struggle to catch waves? Did you have a low wave count? If so, go bigger, if not stay the same or evern smaller. You should have an idea based on your old board and how much fun you are or aren't having.