Buying a longboard surfboard?

Question

I am looking to buy a new longboard surfboard.

My current board is 9’0” Magic Walden (epoxy). I like my board, it's fast, turns good, BUT it’s not very stable.

I am 43 years old, 6’ 2”, and 235 lbs. I am not a beginner and I do most of my surfing in S. FL. and Costa Rica.

Would you please guide me in which way to go, brand, shape, size, etc?

I thought on getting a fiberglass board this time (more stable?) and staying between 9’0” to 10”.

Answer 1

I am guessing the longboard you have now is a high performance longboard. I would get a 9'6 classic longboard. A classic longboard will provide you with more stability and speed.

The Surfboard Man

http://www.thesurfboardman.com

Answer 2

First of all, you should really be asking this question in shops in Florida or CR where you surf. the folks in those shops know the local breaks best, and can make good recommendations that match your size and skill level.

I don't like recommending surfboards by "Brand". For instance, Walden makes some nice sticks, but they also machine a lot of their products, and are pretty much popouts. Of course, Channel island boards are shaped on a computerized jig, so maybe I'm just a dinosaur.

My longboard is an "Allison', and I favor boards made by local shapers, who generally shape boards that are very appropriate for the breaks that you normally ride. Harbour and Stewart make beautiful, well made longboards, to name a couple. When it comes to a longboard, fiber glass is definitely more flexible and responsive than epoxy. The trade off is the weight, but it isn't that significant in my opinion.

I am 5'10" 215, and I ride a 9'4" x 23 x 2 5/8. I think what you need to add stability is not necessarily length, but width and thickness (buoyancy).

I am 56, and I ride both long and shortboards. i started on a longboard in '66 (like everybody else), and I find that width and buoyancy are big stability factors.

Answer 3

Width is where you will gain stability, not with switching to a poly board.  That will affect the flex and buoyancy more anything.  Make a trip up to the Longboard House in Indiatlantic, they should be able to get you straightened out.

As someone else mentioned too, you can try changing fins.  I bigger fin with more surface area, say a dolphin fin versus a cutaway, will also add stability.

Answer 4

if your lookin for stability, try a wider board,  or put a larger( more area) middle fin and make sure its all the way back in the box. Try a hatchet style middle fin if its compatible with your board.