Hi guys,
I am planning to get back into surfing. After years of paddle surfing, I fancy getting back on a short board before it gets too late and my body doesn't allow me to do so.
To give you an idea, I have ...or let's say "had" an intermediate level some 20 year ago, I weight about 150 pounds and measure 5'7.
I am currently looking at a xlite pod mod from torq....epoxy fish...and I am hesitating between a 5'10 with 35 litres and a 6'2 with 40 litres. Obviously, being a short guy I would tend to go for the 5'10 but I am worried that 35 wont be enough. On the other hand, 40 litres might be better for me, but in this case, the board comes as a 6'2 and it is also wider and I am worried that I will find myself with a boat style board.
Any advice?
Also, anyone knows the board and can give me some feedback? It's the torq xlite pod mod, Merrick's shape.
Thanks in advance.
Pascal
Go on the heavier side of volume with the volume in front of the wide point, not a lot of rocker
Select to expand quoteSouwester said..
Go on the heavier side of volume with the volume in front of the wide point, not a lot of rocker
What he said.
and I would be looking for even more foam if you haven't surfed for 20 years.
55 here, back in after 30 years out.
Go the volume, I went 46L which was spot on.
Go for a short board bottom shape, single to double concave with a little vee. Get the 5 fin boxes and experiemet with different setups.
I ended up with 169mm Sanctum Surf twins that fit futures boxes. Board was a 6'10 Webber Double Diamond.
Picked up waves easy and with the twins very responsive. Lots of other good shorter shapes around with good volume as well.
As your fitness and abilities improve you can drop down in volume. But going too little volume from the get go will leave you disappointed.
Good luck with it.
Volume is a marketing fad if you ask me. In my humble opinion which is probably wrong, I would get yourself a 6 - 8, 20 inches wide and close to 3 inches thick. Get the board as modern as you can find and as light as possible.
Good luck
Select to expand quoteJESUSGUS said..
Volume is a marketing fad if you ask me. In my humble opinion which is probably wrong, I would get yourself a 6 - 8, 20 inches wide and close to 3 inches thick. Get the board as modern as you can find and as light as possible.
Good luck
Fair call JG. Big marketing ploy if used as the only measure of suitability. But also a good guide to make sure the person stays afloat as a minimum.
Defining the style of surfing desired, ability, type of surf conditions etc are all equally as important.
Crikey no use getting a 6'8 3" thick single fin slab if it's a fast beach closeout, just get a fat and fast foamie for that.
Point break will be a different animal than a hollow slab, the best match is something that excels in the desired conditions but accommodates all others as well.
And whatever that ends up being if you can't paddle in to get enough wave count then you need more foam.
Volume and surface area
less surface area more volume
more surface area less volume
hydromann what's ya weight?
old mate is 76 kg so I'd be looking at the 35 litres Of for example you surfed like slater than maybe 30
as an example I'm 40 I weigh 100kg + or - 5-10kg dependent on how many beers I drink and what sort of flat spell we endure, I ride from 38/39 litres through to my mals which have up to 80-90
firstly fitness, is it good?
is your intention to get a few waves or a few tubes?
where is the vessel going to be ridden most of the time.
In short I'd go the 6,2 primarily surfing is about catching waves if you can do that no matter if the board is a boat you will be able to turn it eventually, if it's too small you will not catch enough waves to ever have the opportunity to complete a mctwisty Ariel flip.
In summary buy a 9,1 and learn how to nose ride
Or get the 6,2 and be a short boarder your choice
I'd be tempted to even look at some other short options like the sweet potato or whatever it's called or the rip off model the surfboard warehouse do, that way you can get a board under 6 foot which has your desired 40 litres.
maybe even look at a mid length??
Surf schools are crowding the line ups, TBH if you are lucky enough to surf a decent size wave unfit old blokes wont be around its the young rippers that will out paddle you.
On the surfers weight versus volume thing whats largely overlooked is the person's actual power to weight ratio, I have a mate same weight as me but twice as strong in the water (plus 10 times more talent......in his little finger 
) plus he has never done a days work in his f**king life 
.
If unfit and not doing strength training as already mentioned volume and width are your friends and personally I like to be able to duck dive my board which holds the upper limit for me.
Select to expand quoteLegion said..
coaxial and Hydromann et al are why it's more crowded than ever before.
Hows that Legion??
People giving serious consideration to a suitable ride = ?
Select to expand quoteIFocus said..
Surf schools are crowding the line ups, TBH if you are lucky enough to surf a decent size wave unfit old blokes wont be around its the young rippers that will out paddle you.
On the surfers weight versus volume thing whats largely overlooked is the person's actual power to weight ratio, I have a mate same weight as me but twice as strong in the water (plus 10 times more talent......in his little finger ) plus he has never done a days work in his f**king life .
If unfit and not doing strength training as already mentioned volume and width are your friends and personally I like to be able to duck dive my board which holds the upper limit for me.
Spot on, I went a smaller volume for the easier duck dive after snapping my last board.
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Finding the balance that suits the individual is the critical thing, and that like you have pointed out changes from person to person, age to age, and fitness level to fitness level.
All part of the search and adventure.
Select to expand quoteHydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Select to expand quoteIFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Select to expand quoteHydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Select to expand quotethedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Select to expand quoteHydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
Select to expand quotethedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
Select to expand quoteCtngoodvibes said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
Completely agree. Except my small board is a volume pig.
People get way too obsessed with volume.
I have a 6'2" with 47l which is awesome fun. I have a 6'8" with 43l, I have a 7'2" with 43l. They have me covered in most conditions until it gets really solid. Those volumes sound like a lot, but I am 6'2" and 92kgs so thats 46-51% of most mass.
The 6'2" is a Yahoo Kelvinator so they are a bit of a weird board anyway. Most people who try a Kelvinator love them and I reckon they are an ideal board for Perth beachies.
I surfed a couple of 33l boards recently and they were horrible to paddle around. One of them I got lots of waves on, the other I missed lots of waves. The less literage did nothing for improving my performance and detracted from my fun.
But if literage was the be all and end all, then my 42-47l slot would let me surf an esky.
I see a lot of people surfing HP boards who are too focussed. "Oh I only surf 28-29." What? A thirty or 31 litre board is going to destroy your surfing? Unless you are a ball tearing ripper, it's probably barely going to be noticeable and will only help get more waves.
I still order in size. My allrounder in 1996 was 6'6". Now its 6'8", just wider and thicker. Increased incrementally over the years from 6'6"x 2 1/4 x 18 1/2 to 6'8" x 20 1/2 x 2 3/4. So my lengths are old school and outlines similar. I am 22 kgs heavier though. And I promise I surf way better now than I did in '96. Still crap, but a better version of crap and I can ride a barrel properly now. 
Select to expand quoteCtngoodvibes said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
And getting in early is wave dependent. Some sucky waves demand more rocker and less length.
Select to expand quoteCtngoodvibes said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
I agree all my boards are ordered on dims not volume for that reason, of course volume is important but the actual feeling of how the board performs while riding it is more important to me. This is based on me being a larger person riding longboards but maybe its different if your average size riding shortboads?
well im a lot closer to 60 than 50, sad but true
as I try to continue with short board surfing adjustments made to the equipment...
84kg , around low 40litres good for me, get rocker(tail) and bottom shape right and one can get a reasonably manoeuvrable board.
length width and the combo increases the volume, but short thick boards like sweet potato work very well
glide as the above discussions allude to helpful in the wave count, SUPs often rate their glide
I tried some tomo boards (vanguard) but couldn't make them move forward when paddling and couldn't catch a wave!
losing the "pop" an issue so width gives stability, length some glide and a bit more volume some float and a bit of extra time for take off
fire wire greedy beaver a good hybrid, sub moon in a smaller size worth a look too
even more sadly the kneeboard I have (unridden since new several years ago) might be asked out for a date soon
still frothing haha
Don't discount a good longboard bolgo, so much fun, I seem to be riding mine more and more these days (maybe that's telling me something ha ha)
drip, that's classic my standard dimensions in the 90s were 6'6 x 18.5 x 2.5 ,,, think everyone had a 6'6 back then in 18 inch wide range,,,,not much volume in them tho, but that's ok when your young
have fond memories of several 7 x 19.75x 2.75 delta designs in the 2000s as well, way more volume, pretty epic for decent waves
Hey bolgo, yep the submoon looks the go, saw one at destination surf in falcon and looked good
i have the FireWire flexflight longboard 9 footer but lookin to add a new longboard to the quiver , my heart wants a mctavish but wallet only can afford surfboard wharehouse ha ha
Select to expand quoteCtngoodvibes said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
Yep agree about previously just ordering a size. One step further i miss the days when you didn't have a thousand different fin options.
I get it many people love the choice, but i often find myself over thinking it all too much.
Select to expand quotejbshack said..Ctngoodvibes said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..thedrip said..Hydromann said..IFocus said..Hydromann said..
But holy crap I'm missing that volume for the early pickup.
Drip talks about getting in early all the time and I get that it sets you to perfect position for whats to come
Sorry dude lost me??
Old grey matter on my end or shrooms on your end?
Joking BTW.
Drip=Me.
Big fan of getting in early. Obviously bang on a lot about various design features that encourage that (volume ain't the only thing) and now my reputation precedes me.
Haha, good stuff Drip. Get in early and fast before the matchsticks have a chance.
So other than volume what design features do you consider to help with the paddle in?
I've banged on about twins and quads and them being easier to take a wave at a skewed angle or to spin around quickly to take advantage of a pop up wave etc.
Hull shape and flotation distribution comes to mind as well as planing speed / surface area, drag etc.
Not so much about being more competitive, but making it easier. For me, getting in early is about avoiding having to take late drops. The suckier the take off, the more I suck. It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with talent and ability. I probably surf better at 48 than I did at 28, but I just don't last as long.
Anyways, rocker affects paddle power a lot too. I like an even rocker that spreads it out over the whole board, rather than a three stage rocker with lots of nose kick. Pushing water slows me down.
A wide nose helps big time too. Wide point forward of center. None of its secret squirrel business.
Getting in a ****teenth of a second earlier sets a good bottom turn up and from there anything is possible.
What volume do you normally ride drip ? (Or what litres as a % of body mass). Most of the calculators online seem to be around 40% for average surfers
to be honest I prefer the old days when we used to just order based on size not volume .
Volume and length is obviously good to get in early, but also think too much volume packed in too short a board can make it behave like a cork and that actually can be detrimental if anything
Yep agree about previously just ordering a size. One step further i miss the days when you didn't have a thousand different fin options.
I get it many people love the choice, but i often find myself over thinking it all too much.
Exactly, too many choi es and variables.
Still a lotta fun mixing it up.
Select to expand quoteLegion said..
coaxial and Hydromann et al are why it's more crowded than ever before.
Old shortboarders never die!
Now they just buy longboards and sups and keep clogging up the lineups!
Ever hungry to get their fill of waves before karking it.
Surfing sucks...ask me how to quit!
Paddling comes with practice but if you surf once a month or less you are going to struggle on anything.
Too much volume on a short board makes for a lot of effort duck-diving and not a lot of paddle improvement imo, length is better for paddling.
If the waves are flat and long then go for a longer board over volume and enjoy longer rides
Had a few tomos, latest is Chumlee Helium 6'3" 53L which is almost too much volume but surfs/turns like a shortboard and allows cruising through flat sections. I use it mostly for 2-4ft beachies. For a once month (if I'm lucky) surfer like me is perfect, but could do with a bit less volume I reckon (I'm 183cm/90kg).
If I surfed 2-3 times a week I could get away with a board in the mid 30's easy.
Or get one of those fkn motorised fins
