NSP vs Torq

[OlegLupusov]

So, I broke my super durable 9 foot Doyle foamie and cut my lip in process.

Badly need a new board.
My options: 8 and 9 footers in NSP and Torq.

My requirements durability and surf improvement but with limited learning curve.

Which one is better for me? Google suggests that NSP and Torq are similar and it does not really matter which to choose.
Some surf shop keepers suggest that one of them is better but I think it could be explained by a better margin or inventory considerations.

I have better deals for NSP but like Torq better on paper.

[OlegLupusov]

In Torq my option is only 8 footer
http://www.torq-surfboards.com/long-80.html
It is slightly used and is close to usd 300.

In NSP, I could have either 8.2 or 9.2.

I am 6 foot and 200 pounds. Low fat level. Fitness above average.
Started surfing three years ago but on a regular basis only 16 months ago. Can do turns and down the line on a 9 foot foamie. The biggest waves I handled were 5 foot high.
Feel comfortable with up to 3-4.
Broke a number of foamies and one hard PU board.

[jaffa1949]

Look at the NSP 9'2" or 9'6" in the elements construction or the other advanced epoxy construction, the coco at construction is nice looking but more expensive to buy and to fix and look good.
With your destruction record and "shark attacks" to your board definitely look to the epoxy, non soft versions.
At 200lb of non fat you are not floating in your own right so the length is needed.

There is a 9ft TorQ but not with the availability of what you can used, but I think it will be undersized for you.

[OlegLupusov]

Many thanks! Do you think NSP and Torq are the same quality?

[jaffa1949]

The TorQ is popular with a few of the forumites, there have been recommendation too for the NSP .
I know the NSP boards are no longer part of the GSI stable so they may be different now in quality.

Either should be OK, just length for you length!

[Marky]

I know the NSP boards are no longer part of the GSI stable so they may be different now in quality.

Interesting! Didn't know that. And NSP belongs to whom now?

[waikikikichan]

New Surf Project ( NSP ) belongs to itself. Global Surf Industries is no longer allowed to distribute NSP products. GSI was a distributor, not the manufacturer. This year Surftech and NSP, both made at the Cobra factory in Thailand, are going to be be distributed together under one roof.
Torq boards are made in Taiwan.

[jaffa1949]

The Cobra factory turns out pretty good boards across, windsurfing , SUPs , and the full range of boards.
There have been contractual difficulties for some of the suppliers to. GSI .

The GSI range has shifted a number of times in the boards it distributes, read in a slight caution there.

[OlegLupusov]

Why do you think 9 footer is better for me? Everybody suggests go smaller, even the forum board size schedule. I have a couple of days to make the decision. I am always vonvinced to get 8.2 from nsp (brand new at a discounted price).

[jaffa1949]

I've actually suggested my reasons over a number of posts to you. about weight and height, The choice is always yours! The opinions mine.

[OlegLupusov]

Many thanks. Is it just your general preference for long boards? Or is it based on my habit of breaking boards? I still have my doubts. They say it is harder to make turns on longer boards.

[jaffa1949]

It is neither , again weight height, I only have a preference for longer boards for me!
Paddle power to catch waves. Full stop, has nothing to do with breaking boards, it is not harder to turn bigger boards I have surfed everything from 5'10" to what I ride now. The level you are at a longer board helps.That sums it up, advice assisting your surfing.

[OlegLupusov]

Thanks again! Do you believe in "volume" as a proper measure of a board size? 8.2 by NSP (67 l) is closer in Volume to Torq 9 (72 l)than Torq 8 (60 l).

And NSP 9.2 is 78 L.

Futhermore, NSP 9.2 has 3 fins and 8.2 has one.

[Tudeo]

Hi Oleg,

I just want to add this to the discussion about what board to choose: Bigger boards make catching waves easier but smaller boards make the ride more dynamic.

I always went with the smallest boards I could handle after learning (at 80kg) on a 7'9" malibu. Before that I used a 7'2" and got often very frustrated of losing the paddle battles, lost so many good wave opportunities by that..

It's a personal choice, involving ur judgement about abilities like positioning and paddle strenght, if these are good you can catch waves on a smaller board. But going too small will reduce the number of waves and that will slow ur progression.

Also there's this argument: a longboard is good thing to have in ur quiver, I still want to buy one some day..

Good luck!

[waikikikichan]

Futhermore, NSP 9.2 has 3 fins and 8.2 has one.

NSP 9'2" Longboards comes as a 2+1 fin configuration - 8 inch center fin ( center box ) with FCS M3 sides

NSP 8'2" Longboards come as a Thruster set up - three FCS M7 fins

[Big H]

Hi Oleg,

Also there's this argument: a longboard is good thing to have in ur quiver, I still want to buy one some day..

Good luck!

You should definitely get one.....today I threw a 6'6" and my 9'6" in the car; conditions are iffy and I'm not sure what I feel like or what is going to be going on when I get to the break. Different experiences, short & long, but for me they are both just as rewarding.......depends on conditions and what I'm in the mood for. Longboard will get you in the water on smaller days as well since you can milk the most out of the waves and might allow you to surf more than you do in that I'm generally less taxed after a longboard sesh in terms of paddle weariness.

[OlegLupusov]

Longboards are better in small waves. But what about bigger waves? What are the disadvantages of longboards in bigger waves?

[jaffa1949]

There are no disadvantages of bigger boards in bigger waves, the skill of a he riders determines how the boards go! Big waves were original ridden with 12ft or bigger boards.
Design has brought the size of boards down and now other areas of the wave can be ridden differently by the better riders.
Good long board riders can ride big pipeline , jaws, Waimea and other waves.
Where tow in is used the boards are much smaller as there is no need of paddle speed to gain entry to the waves.

Big boards are still here doing big moves in big waves in the hands of skilled riders.

[Tudeo]

Longboards are better in small waves. But what about bigger waves? What are the disadvantages of longboards in bigger waves?

I don't know from experience cos I (still) don't own a real longboard, my biggest board is an old Bic Malibu 7'9".

But I think bigger waves from let's say shoulder high and up are more difficult to take-off on a longboard compared to shorter boards, because of risk of pearling? Maybe if the longboard has a lot of rocker like some of the performance longboards it's more suited for steep take offs.

Off course the skilled and experienced longboard riders can handle these difficulties, but for the average or even beginner rider it's hard.

It's not only the size of the wave but also the shape: fatter waves = easier; hollow waves = difficult.

Sure u can angle ur take off to avoid pearling, but the more u angle the less forward motion for catching the wave, if i'm correct? So there the needed skilset kicks in, u need better positioning and paddling to get in.

And then, there's getting outside.. If there are channels or if it's a point then there's no problem. Otherwise u'll need to push through the surf, the bigger the board the harder..

[Big H]

Longboards.....going to ride mine today.......