Levels??

[megsurfgurl]

Hey,
Ive surfed for 2 and 1/2 years now on a 7ft3 minimal and im looking to buy my first shortboard. Ive had my eye on this Sunride epoxy (level 5) 6ft5 x 19 5/8 x 2 2/8. Im a bit confused on what level 5 means though? If anyone could tell me what it means and if this surfboard sounds good, then i would really appreciate it !=D

Im 14years old, and weigh about 8 1/2stone and im about 5ft3, by the way.

thanks! x

[LovintheSurf]

Well since your only 5'3'' and about 120 pounds, a 6'5'' wouldnt be a shortboard for you. Because first of all it would over a foot taller than you, and since it so wide and thick that would add to it biggness. If you want an actual shortboard, for your size, try to at LEAST look at something in the 5'10'' range or below. Cause a 6'5'' for you would be more like a semi-gun, gun type board, not a shortboard

[GowerCharger]

it wouldnt be a gun or semi gun, thats a different type of board and has a different overall shape to a thruster, but to answer your question i have no idea what "level 5" means, never heard that term but im guessing its just something to do with their manufacturing process, as in its a bit better than level 4 (lighter stronger etc.).
A 6-5 would be an easy step down for you if you can turn your minimal but a smaller board (~6ft) would be a bit snappier turning with your light weight, id go for something smaller if i was you - youll find it harder in the beginning but it will allow you to progress further in the long run.

[LovintheSurf]

yah i know the actual shape wouldnt be the same, but i compared it to a semi-gun because usually they are about a foot taller than you, so i was comparing size not shape....but yah

[rich r]

Shape is more important than size, at the end of the day, I think.

Shape is what influences the ride. A 5'3" person riding a 6-5 board will have more float and perhaps less influence on manueverability than a 5'10" person riding the same board, but it wouldn't be as different as the difference a single rider would have between an egg, fish, and thruster all running 5-10 in size, regardless of that rider's height..

As for board size for a 5-3 person, I'm with GowerCharger - 8 to 10 inches bigger than your height for a stable shortboard. Pay attention to width and thickness of the board, as well.

[megsurfgurl]

it wouldnt be a gun or semi gun, thats a different type of board and has a different overall shape to a thruster, but to answer your question i have no idea what "level 5" means, never heard that term but im guessing its just something to do with their manufacturing process, as in its a bit better than level 4 (lighter stronger etc.).
A 6-5 would be an easy step down for you if you can turn your minimal but a smaller board (~6ft) would be a bit snappier turning with your light weight, id go for something smaller if i was you - youll find it harder in the beginning but it will allow you to progress further in the long run.

6ft sounds really short =S, I can turn my mini-mal really well and easy though...so maybe 6ft would be ok?

thanks for all your help!

[lardyarse]

Level 5 is the epoxy used. it is a term used by sunride, level 5 is better than level 3 for example. You should find that the level 5 board is lighter than a level 3.

[surfishlife]

Shape is more important than size, at the end of the day, I think.

Shape is what influences the ride. A 5'3" person riding a 6-5 board will have more float and perhaps less influence on manueverability than a 5'10" person riding the same board, but it wouldn't be as different as the difference a single rider would have between an egg, fish, and thruster all running 5-10 in size, regardless of that rider's height..

As for board size for a 5-3 person, I'm with GowerCharger - 8 to 10 inches bigger than your height for a stable shortboard. Pay attention to width and thickness of the board, as well.

interesting...could you expand upon that, per chance rich? i'm curious how performance would be affected by choosing a different shaped board.
does that imply that certain shapes of boards can be better suited for certain body types?

i didn't realize the subtle but important details one needs to know to find the board of best fit

[Driftingalong]

I would say: different shapes for different conditions/wave types and different dimensions for different body types and skill level.