Help choosing new surfboard

Question

I'm 6'3" and weigh about 17 stone (combination of muscle and insulation :P )

I'm currently on a 7' pop out which I picked up for free so need an upgrade.

Being heavy ease of paddling and speed is very important to help with catching waves but still want maneuverability on the wave. Riding in Cornwall, UK so waves I ride tend to max out at 6/8ft with current ability, which is slap bang between beginner and intermediate.

Any ideas? any pointers would help in what to look for.

Answer 1

yeah mate i reckon a fet twin fish i have one and they are sweet nice a fat foe a easy paddle in.i also ride a 6'4 shortboard but you wont be able to get anything this small because of your weight.

but i know this for a fact you will need a really thick board or u will just sink in the water and wont be able to catch a wave.

Answer 2

I am a tad lighter than you (215 lbs), but a lot shorter and I am sure a good deal older. I ride a 7'8" custom made twin fin fish that is ideal for a fat old guy. You could probably do quite well on a nice fat fish that is much shorter. There are tons of them available from the big name shapers right now. I'm sure any good shop in the UK can order one in for you. Of course, you can't exclude the possibility of picking you a nice custom made board. I have had two, and they are two of my favorites over 42 years of surfing and dozens of boards.

I also ride a nice 7'8" Lost SDII. It's a 'big guy' type [performance board, built on a three inch blank, that I bought 'off the rack' last spring. It's a good board, but I am not at my best on it (yet). Most of the big name shapers also make some nice 'big guy' performance boards, because they are learning that not all surfers are 5'10" 160 lbs.

I guess if I were forced to choose for you, I would go with the fish. But, why not stop in the good local shops where you surf, and talk this over with the folks there. I'm sure they can do a better job of helping you pick the right stick for your weight, skill level, local beaks and budget. Good luck!