New surfboard? Looking for advice

[adamj2281]

I'm a fairly experienced kiteboarder (5 years now/3 on a surfboard) ride about 60/40 surfboard to twintip at this point, mainly dependent on conditions. I'm 6'0, 180 lbs. and most of our waves are waist to head (when there are waves) and sideshore conditions. Occasionally we get a rideable side-off day with waves and it's great. I ride mostly strapless, straps only if it's really big and rough.

Anyways, I have a 5'8" LItewave Quad that I've beat for the last 3 years, it's been a great board and takes a beating. I'm looking for a possible replacement, and wondering if I should go with a bit longer of a board to work through chop, etc. better or what. There's a 6'1 Ocean Rodeo surf series that I can get a deal on, but it looks pretty skinny (18" wide, not sure the volume) compared to my 5'8"

Any thoughts?

[mr moon]

Hey buddy, I think as you had a 5'8" you might want to try a tad longer perhaps 6'0" or up to 6'2", in this way you could have the perfect board quiver.
I'd also go for a double set up option: thruster / quad so you can try different things and tune yr board for different conditions / wave sizes.
18" might be a little narrow but the volume is a key factor to consider too..
There hundreds of surfboards out there.. pointless to recommend one or the other. I personally like Firewire kite-surfboards for being lively and softer under your feet (hence less bouncy-chattery in chop) unlike the extra stiff kite-dedicated standard surfboards..
My 2 cents

[madworld]

I'm a fairly experienced kiteboarder (5 years now/3 on a surfboard) ride about 60/40 surfboard to twintip at this point, mainly dependent on conditions. I'm 6'0, 180 lbs. and most of our waves are waist to head (when there are waves) and sideshore conditions. Occasionally we get a rideable side-off day with waves and it's great. I ride mostly strapless, straps only if it's really big and rough.

Anyways, I have a 5'8" LItewave Quad that I've beat for the last 3 years, it's been a great board and takes a beating. I'm looking for a possible replacement, and wondering if I should go with a bit longer of a board to work through chop, etc. better or what. There's a 6'1 Ocean Rodeo surf series that I can get a deal on, but it looks pretty skinny (18" wide, not sure the volume) compared to my 5'8"

Any thoughts?

The Ocean Rodeo Surf Series is 6' 3" - 29.1 L

6' 3" x 19" x 2 5/16"

[cleepa]

Surfboard preference is a very personal thing... You should try as many as you can before buying. That said, it would be hard to go wrong with a Firewire Vanguard for what you're describing. But, no straps on that. But maybe you might prefer a different board for big and rough anyway. Flattish tail for smaller waves, more tail rocker for big waves.

[Bushflyr]

Buy a 5'4" Vanguard and never look back.

Volume doesn't matter on a kite (surf)board. It's all about how it planes. Volume only matters when you're paddling in.

[mr moon]

Buy a 5'4" Vanguard and never look back.

Volume doesn't matter on a kite (surf)board. It's all about how it planes. Volume only matters when you're paddling in.

Only if you have enough wind to plane

I'm after one of those too