Looking for the new new longboard

[KitesurferAU]

I thought that my Bic Mal is undestructable, but it snapped in half today by a huge wave at Dee Why point and now I need a new longboard.

I'm 83kg and 182cm tall and my previous longboard was a heavy single fin 10 feet board which served me quite well, however it was quite a heavy turner. Now I want to get something more high performance, but may be not a fully HPLB, just all-arounder. I'm looking for a flat rocker to overpaddle any other guys, 40/60 rails, three-fin setup and all arounder board which should work in weak and up to shoulder height surf with good noseriding potential (when I will learn how to do that eventually). I'm not sure what material should it be, epoxy or poly, but I've heard that epoxy can sustain far more damage than standard poly board.

I don't know what dimensions I should get, I think about something like 9.6x23x2.5/6. I've heard a lot of good things about locally shaped boards, but pricewise I'm not so convinced that double price well worth it. There are plenty of epoxy replicas which are very cheap compared to "brands", however I don't know anything about their quality and how they are in surf.

I surf standard Sydney Northern Beaches breakes (Manly, Freshwater, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef, Collaroy and Mona Vale). Standard waves are 1-4 ft, on bigger days I go to my local break at Collaroy, even it's big, it's very safe but you must have a lot of foam to be in front of other guys.

What are your recommendations? Any feedback is appreciated.

[jaffa1949]

You have huge selections of shop in the stretch from Manly to Mona Vale. Try Bennetts at Brookvale one of the original board makers, many of the current and pre current shapers passed through his doors.
Wicks surf shop at Collaroy, there is a swag of shapers at Mona Vale check out Ron Wade I think he is in Bassett st. You could look at GSI boards or the NSP series longboards, the larger Walden boards.
Go talk directly to older guys in any of these shops.
I remember your earlier posts, consider in your overpaddling that taking more than a fair share of the waves at any of those beaches you need to have pretty good set of surf skills too. Etiquette is still important.
Your size and your board size paddle power does not entitle you to more waves
Sadly a thought that does not enter many minds on the northern beaches anymore, SUPs to short boards.
Let us know what your new board is going to be, whatever you choose will be a lot more performance than the BIC.

[KitesurferAU]

Jaffa, yeah, I’m aware of surfing hierarchy and I’m currently on the bottom getting scraps. I don’t have skill to be in the most critical part of the wave during take-off. But extra foam really helps in small waves when all hot shots are at home .
Back to the board selection – what do you reckon I should look for in terms of dimensions and other characteristics?

[jaffa1949]

Great , I grew up at DeeWhy started believe it or not before there were any home units!
The point eats lots of boards I think only fairy bower beats it

OK think 9'6" 23" by heading up to 3 " or a little thicker, not a lot of rocker if you want to nose ride, 9" or 9.5 centre fin 10 if you get to hit the nose more often. As a 2 + 1 system , do not have larger side fins and also play with single finning it too, see what suit you best.

Look at Modern boards or Walden from NSP , check out the others in their range, good boards and in epoxy too, but bear in mind if Dee Why can destroy a BIC it can destroy any board.

Recommend no man's land north of Dee Why surf club towards long reef on smaller days to find a less crowded peak..

Have a look at those boards GSI have fallen a bit in quality and NSP has moved to Surf tech .
Look at the shapers and makers I mentioned too !

[KitesurferAU]

https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/fairlight/surfing/surfboard-longboard-malibu/1134376988
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/bondi-beach/surfing/9-6-palmer-surfboards/1139593731

What do you think about these boards?

[jaffa1949]

I'd look at both, the Waxa a little more log than the Palmer which will be little more performance being a rounded pin.
I think the Palmer is made in Agnes Water Queensland.

Look at both to see the foam is not yellowing or shrinking beside the stringers and the glass is not cracked above where the stringers meet the nose and tail.
Of the two condition equal and knowing where you surf I'd choose the Palmer.

[KitesurferAU]

Got a real bargain but beaty board from Roger Hall - Competitor Deluxe Custom 9'1"x18" x 22¼” x 14 5/8" x 3" 69 litres

It doesn't have the same paddling power as my old 10 feet board but 300 times easier to turn. Not sure how it will handle ankle biters, but I've tested in 2-4 ft waves today in Manly and I was able to connect all the way to the North Styne beach from Quennie. Board feels much faster and sharper for sure.

[jaffa1949]

Got a real bargain but beaty board from Roger Hall - Competitor Deluxe Custom 9'1"x18" x 22¼” x 14 5/8" x 3" 69 litres

It doesn't have the same paddling power as my old 10 feet board but 300 times easier to turn. Not sure how it will handle ankle biters, but I've tested in 2-4 ft waves today in Manly and I was able to connect all the way to the North Styne beach from Quennie. Board feels much faster and sharper for sure.

Fixed

[Big H]

Looked it up out of curiosity.....if it is at all like the model pictured (latest incarnation) it's a beauty and I'm jealous....

[KitesurferAU]

Yep, this one but with two red vertical lines. It has a rounded tail, which I think gives more predictability to the turn. So I've got HPLB flag checked now in my quiver