Log decisions - Asking for advice

[gmarkos]

Hey All,

I know these posts are annoying but I get stoked offering advice so figure I'd try here.
I'm trying to decide on a new log and am having trouble pulling the plug.

Little background - I've been surfing for about 3 years on a pop out 9'2 x 23 x 3 diamond tail. I'm 6ft ~ 175lbs. Can get away with a few cheater 5s but I'd like to improve my noseriding skills. On the other hand, I think I value a gliding/trim and drawn out turns a bit more. Not a huge fan of pivot turns and during my experiments with pivot fins I always end up throwing my 4a back on.

I surf pretty mushy stuff with the occasional reef (Bird Rock/Swami's).

Having said that - In my mind I should be going for something between 9'0-9'6, round/pintail, no real thoughts on width and thickness. I'd like to support some local shapers (SoCal) so I've narrowed it down to the boards at Almond and Bing.

Really between a Bing California Pintail and either the Surf Thump/Aquatic/Sano Special from Almond. Pics attached of each.

Bing California Pintail

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Almond Surf Thump

Almond Aquatic

Almond Sano Special

Any thoughts/advice is greatly appreciated!
Thanks.

[jaffa1949]

I like the Bings, seen them in action at T land and they pretty much fill your needs.
Gopher it!

[gmarkos]

Good to hear! I've actually never seen someone surf the California Pintail model so it's making me a bit hesitant.

Thanks for the response!

[jaffa1949]

The square tails are a better option IMO for nose riding as the tail locks in more with a square pod! Have a look at the premium guys who nose ride well at your home beach, square or pin?
Look too at the tail rail and see what that offers.
Better still head into the Bing shop and talk boards with the log guys!
Go into the Almond shop too, several shops review will either bury you in BS or give the idea of what you are looking for.

There will be a number of performance changes dependent on what you choose but as you get accustomed to it you can bring a whole new game
Having reread your post have a serious look at the Almond Sano, being in Australia I don't know the quality, the Bings I do.
Some serious surf retail therapy is on hand !

[waikikikichan]

I'd like to improve my noseriding skills. On the other hand, I think I value a gliding/trim and drawn out turns a bit more. Not a huge fan of pivot turns and during my experiments with pivot fins I always end up throwing my 4a back on.

1) Do you mean you're not a fan of Drop Knee turns ?
2) Can you show exactly what "pivot" fins you tried. The Hatchet fin on the Dewey Weber Performer some people call a "pivot' fin, I don't.
3) If you want to improve your noseriding, you'll need to learn how to stall and set the tail to lock into the wave. Being able to drop knee will help with that.

As for boards.
Almond Sano Special - I like the best
Almond Aquatic - if you like drawn out turns then Pins are it. Do you surf like Cyrus ?
Bing California Pin tail - it looks like a Pig outline with the wide point back of center. Usually you need to drop knee the turns.
Almond Surf Thump - again another Pig-ish shape. Don't know how you going to turn a Glass on D-fin with out a drop.

[gmarkos]

Will do! I was definitely going to jump into each shop and check out the boards before making any decisions. Thanks Jaffa.

WaikikiHonestly I'm just not that good at drop knee turns so I'll work on that for stalling purposes

When I say pivot fin, I'm thinking of something like a True Ames Heritage or this:

True Ames Heritage

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Screen Shot 2016-05-26 at 07.29.23.png (189.98 KiB) Viewed 2148 times

I've ridden slightly piggy shapes before and for the turning they seem to work well just walking to the back and having a foot over the fin as well so I've never really started trying the drop turns yet.

For the Surf Thump - I'd get a fin box and put more of a rake fin on it.
I wish I could surf like Cyrus but I do like his style.

Thanks for your time guys.

[jaffa1949]

What ever you end up getting get a fin box, and a range of fins, that way you get to find which suits your evolving style. Even with a log board I would still include an option with a 2+1 set up, not purist I know, but works for me.

A good starting point is step back stalls and walking the board properly both back and forwards.
Shuffle jumps just don't cut it and can break the tail being locked in.
From the step back stall it doesn't take much to gradually lowering the knee from the natural drop to an accentuated drop and the power and control it gives in the turn.
Small steps in changing habits. Think smooth power

[waikikikichan]

For the Surf Thump - I'd get a fin box and put more of a rake fin on it.

But that's the thing. It was designed for a D-fin. You don't need to ride it with one, but it was meant for it. Just like putting high rise bars on a sport bike, you taking away from it's original purpose.

For fins, since you like True Ames, search the shops for an old TK Flex. I got only one before they stopped making them. Really twangy and snaps you thru the turns.

[waikikikichan]

Sorry I meant Rainbow fins. But I just saw they still have them in the line. The fin from True Ames is the Norm Flex.

[gmarkos]

Very true, thanks. Shouldn't mess with the shapers ideas

I'm in the process of trying to sell a fin to snag another. I have lots of surf shop exploring to do!

[billie_morini]

gmarkos,
it's better to ask before you purchase. The guys that are a nuisance are the ones that buy first and ask if what they bought is: a) a good board, b) well priced, or c) both.