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Surfing on downwinders

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Created by DBgr > 9 months ago, 23 Jan 2020
DBgr
21 posts
23 Jan 2020 8:20PM
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Is it ok to go out in surf (not big, maybe 3-4 ft) on a longer racing board. I'm looking at buying something like NSP DC 14' 0" x 25 inches - is it going to handle waves or is it putting the board at risk of major damage?

burchas
335 posts
24 Jan 2020 12:27AM
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I'm not clear as to what's the downwind aspect of your question? Are you talking about surfing the board on a 3-4 wind swell on a downwinder or 3-4 foot of beach break? If it's the former then this board would be just fine, if it's the latter, I personally wouldn't use this board. There are much easier and more enjoyable boards for this activity and if you are not really good, it's very easy do damage a board like this on a beach break.

colas
4986 posts
24 Jan 2020 12:37AM
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Yes, if the wave has a breaking lip, a 14' will be broken in half quite easily.

JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
24 Jan 2020 7:50AM
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DBgr said..


Is it ok to go out in surf (not big, maybe 3-4 ft) on a longer racing board. I'm looking at buying something like NSP DC 14' 0" x 25 inches - is it going to handle waves or is it putting the board at risk of major damage?




yes that board is fun on either surfing or dw if you got the skill. The board itself is somewhat tough though look after it like every other board. The bottom hull can be a bit rolly and there's a reason for that but you soon get use it if you keep it long enough. How much do you weight?

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 6:09AM
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So I'm probably more referring to catching 3-4 ft waves on a reef break, so not directly dumping onto sand. There's generally a bit of water depth
I'm sort of after a board that I can go exploring on - do some downwind paddle catching runners ... and if I find a nice lil reef - head in and have a session catching waves. I'm after something that I can do a bit of both - if that's possible.
There's some nice, hard to access reefs around my area that I'd love to get on ??

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 7:24AM
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JEG said..

DBgr said..




Is it ok to go out in surf (not big, maybe 3-4 ft) on a longer racing board. I'm looking at buying something like NSP DC 14' 0" x 25 inches - is it going to handle waves or is it putting the board at risk of major damage?





yes that board is fun on either surfing or dw if you got the skill. The board itself is somewhat tough though look after it like every other board. The bottom hull can be a bit rolly and there's a reason for that but you soon get use it if you keep it long enough. How much do you weight?


So I'm getting up to 90 kegs... hoping to lose 5, of course. Who isn't. I've been paddling for years, but looking to expand my skills and experiences on the water with a board I can get out and find some new waves on

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 7:28AM
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colas said..
Yes, if the wave has a breaking lip, a 14' will be broken in half quite easily.


Ok. That would be a ****house result.
Perhaps there isn't a board that I can do what I'm after - as try to access some out of the way reefs that never get ridden

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 7:29AM
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burchas said..
I'm not clear as to what's the downwind aspect of your question? Are you talking about surfing the board on a 3-4 wind swell on a downwinder or 3-4 foot of beach break? If it's the former then this board would be just fine, if it's the latter, I personally wouldn't use this board. There are much easier and more enjoyable boards for this activity and if you are not really good, it's very easy do damage a board like this on a beach break.


So I'm probably more referring to catching 3-4 ft waves on a reef break, so not directly dumping onto sand. There's generally a bit of water depth
I'm sort of after a board that I can go exploring on - do some downwind paddle catching runners ... and if I find a nice lil reef - head in and have a session catching waves. I'm after something that I can do a bit of both - if that's possible.
There's some nice, hard to access reefs around my area that I'd love to get on ??

burchas
335 posts
24 Jan 2020 8:14AM
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DBgr said..
burchas said..
I'm not clear as to what's the downwind aspect of your question? Are you talking about surfing the board on a 3-4 wind swell on a downwinder or 3-4 foot of beach break? If it's the former then this board would be just fine, if it's the latter, I personally wouldn't use this board. There are much easier and more enjoyable boards for this activity and if you are not really good, it's very easy do damage a board like this on a beach break.


So I'm probably more referring to catching 3-4 ft waves on a reef break, so not directly dumping onto sand. There's generally a bit of water depth
I'm sort of after a board that I can go exploring on - do some downwind paddle catching runners ... and if I find a nice lil reef - head in and have a session catching waves. I'm after something that I can do a bit of both - if that's possible.
There's some nice, hard to access reefs around my area that I'd love to get on ??


Reading your description it doesn't sound like you're after a race board shape, which is what this NSP is.

Take a look at this thread: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Hypr-Nalu-Hawaii-14ft-Gun--You-won-t-have-seen-one-of-these-before-

It might be a better choice

515
773 posts
24 Jan 2020 8:43AM
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You will find plenty of all round boards that a 10 - 10'6" will give you enough volume to get out to reef breaks way offshore and easily catch the waves. They will be so much more fun than a downwind board to turn on the wave.
I have a reef break that is about 500m paddle and found it great to check out on a flat extra low tide and when you do paddle out to surf it, check how its breaking first before rushing in as they could break on shallow reef or be nice down the line and end in a channel


DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:14AM
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The Hypr Nalu Hawaii 14ft Gun looks amazing, but unfortunately its a bit out of my budget,.. I'm a bit skint and was looking for a cheaper 2nd hand option.
Apart from the big wave performance or the board (my ability limits me to about 5 foot, realistically ) - it looks amazing.
I really do like the idea of being able to combine elements of both a distance paddling board and one that is capable in small -medium height waves.

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:17AM
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515 said..
You will find plenty of all round boards that a 10 - 10'6" will give you enough volume to get out to reef breaks way offshore and easily catch the waves. They will be so much more fun than a downwind board to turn on the wave.
I have a reef break that is about 500m paddle and found it great to check out on a flat extra low tide and when you do paddle out to surf it, check how its breaking first before rushing in as they could break on shallow reef or be nice down the line and end in a channel




so you reckon a 10'6" that is more gun shaped? Maybe a bit of rocker, not just a big old beginners board ?
have you got any models that fit the bill?

OkiWild
119 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:26AM
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Surfing race boards has been one of the greater joys I've found with SUP. Knee-high glass days where you can just go and go forever! I use a 12'6" displacement board when it's glassy (and I've ridden this board in head-high and barreling, too), and the 14' downwinder when there's some chop. Cheezy videos, but the first one is the 14' Bump Rider, and the second is the 12'6".




JEG
VIC, 1469 posts
24 Jan 2020 12:33PM
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yeah OkiWild, big boards are so much fun

burchas
335 posts
24 Jan 2020 9:46AM
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If you really like to do some exploring and downwinding then a 10.6 is not what you're looking for, I reckon 12.6 will be the shortest you'll want.

The Blue Planet Bump Surfer might be another good option. The bigger sister 14' Bump Rider is a really fun board both surfing and downwinding but a 12.6 might give you little more range.

When you get a "Jack of all trades" you're going to compromise no matter what. If all you really want is surf then look at more dedicated surf range.

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 10:11AM
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i'm checking out the Bump chaser 12'6" - it looks like the ticket to me - 26.5 wide , good for some distance and waves. Great looking board

DaveSandan
VIC, 1364 posts
24 Jan 2020 4:50PM
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Check out the Sunova Search, Nozza and Point break 14ft that Sup the Creek has then you get the lot.

yowiesup
NSW, 66 posts
24 Jan 2020 5:34PM
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Don't know if the link works but this is old footage of a 14ft board in waist to shoulder high waves

Laird Bark goes well only use it in Baysurf which is a sandy bottom

I would worry about snapping such a board on a reef break

DBgr
21 posts
24 Jan 2020 6:05PM
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Looks fun. Thanks mate. I reckon I need something with a flat deck, 14ft and around 27 wide for stability. That will get me distances to waves in the surf coast no one is catching, and then allow me to have some fun when I get there ??

tarquin1
931 posts
24 Jan 2020 7:29PM
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Don't know where you are but there is a 12'6 surfbump in the buy and sell section. In the racing and downwind section.

KenM
NSW, 60 posts
25 Jan 2020 6:16AM
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Myself and a few friends all have 14' boards of varying types and we have some of our most fun uncrowded sessions surfing and catching small runners on a bank in a nearby lake entrance. We usually get out there when conditions are too small or full for using shorter boards and often get rides of 200 metres+. I use a 14' ? 30" Corban Dart. Just need to be careful not to go that little bit too far into the shore break.

LucBenac
431 posts
25 Jan 2020 6:15AM
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burchas said..


Reading your description it doesn't sound like you're after a race board shape, which is what this NSP is.

Take a look at this thread: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Hypr-Nalu-Hawaii-14ft-Gun--You-won-t-have-seen-one-of-these-before-

It might be a better choice


Look around 0.55

Hope Dragons are optional even during Chinese New Year....

burchas
335 posts
25 Jan 2020 12:21PM
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LucBenac said..



burchas said..



Reading your description it doesn't sound like you're after a race board shape, which is what this NSP is.

Take a look at this thread: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Hypr-Nalu-Hawaii-14ft-Gun--You-won-t-have-seen-one-of-these-before-

It might be a better choice



Look around 0.55

Hope Dragons are optional even during Chinese New Year....



Why beat around the bush

MangoDingo
NT, 891 posts
26 Jan 2020 3:54PM
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DBgr - I found myself with the very same dilemma recently.
In need of something capable of long paddles on flat days and also surfable.
Got myself a custom 14' Sunova Search.
Incredible board in all ways.
The real deal.
Check 'em out.






Gboots
NSW, 1314 posts
26 Jan 2020 5:54PM
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MangoDingo said..
DBgr - I found myself with the very same dilemma recently.
In need of something capable of long paddles on flat days and also surfable.
Got myself a custom 14' Sunova Search.
Incredible board in all ways.
The real deal.
Check 'em out.







Get that foot on the tail dingo

MangoDingo
NT, 891 posts
26 Jan 2020 4:37PM
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For sure GBoots!
You can't surf these ones from the middle - it's a brickies labourer, Blundstone boot foot stomp on the tail, set the controls for ultra-glide, get your soul arch goin' and you'll be grinning like Lopez at Pipe every time!

DBgr
21 posts
26 Jan 2020 7:12PM
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tarquin1 said..
Don't know where you are but there is a 12'6 surfbump in the buy and sell section. In the racing and downwind section.


Did see that - but says pick up only, and he's NSW and I'm Vicco. Looks good though
cheers
??

DBgr
21 posts
26 Jan 2020 7:16PM
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KenM said..
Myself and a few friends all have 14' boards of varying types and we have some of our most fun uncrowded sessions surfing and catching small runners on a bank in a nearby lake entrance. We usually get out there when conditions are too small or full for using shorter boards and often get rides of 200 metres+. I use a 14' ? 30" Corban Dart. Just need to be careful not to go that little bit too far into the shore break.


Would be easy to nose dive, no doubt. Sounds like great fun
As Rasta said - there's no such thing as bad waves, it's just bad choice of board ??

DBgr
21 posts
26 Jan 2020 7:19PM
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MangoDingo said..
DBgr - I found myself with the very same dilemma recently.
In need of something capable of long paddles on flat days and also surfable.
Got myself a custom 14' Sunova Search.
Incredible board in all ways.
The real deal.
Check 'em out.







Nice one. I've heard these are great boards and what suit what I want to do - made for it even

bloody hard to find them 2nd hand though. Peeps must hold onto them

Area10
1508 posts
27 Jan 2020 1:06AM
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burchas said..

LucBenac said..





burchas said..




Reading your description it doesn't sound like you're after a race board shape, which is what this NSP is.

Take a look at this thread: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Stand-Up-Paddle/Review/Hypr-Nalu-Hawaii-14ft-Gun--You-won-t-have-seen-one-of-these-before-

It might be a better choice




Look around 0.55

Hope Dragons are optional even during Chinese New Year....




Why beat around the bush



Yeah, the Hypr Hawaii gun 14' is absolutely MADE for what the OP wants.

i got mine made in a super strong layup so it will NOT break, unless you were very unlucky. It's a double-carbon full PVC sandwich with a thick wooden stringer plus multiple layers of s-glass I-beam reinforcement.
It is only 4.5" thick and is 14'x26". No other 14ft I have ever surfed (and I have surfed a lot) has even come close.
It also downwinds really well.

and is very durable.

AND it's cheaper than a carbon 14' board from Starboard etc. Quite a bit cheaper, even though it has much more carbon, and IMO there isn't really any comparison in terms of build quality.

There are also Hypr guns in sizes 9-6, 10-6, 11-6 and 12-6. So you can always find the outer reef board you are looking for.

But they are great fun for small waves and just cruising around as well.
delivery worldwide.
its a no-brainer, really.

Someone in Australia should start selling this brand.

OkiWild
119 posts
27 Jan 2020 8:57AM
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MangoDingo said..
DBgr - I found myself with the very same dilemma recently.
In need of something capable of long paddles on flat days and also surfable.
Got myself a custom 14' Sunova Search.
Incredible board in all ways.
The real deal.
Check 'em out.









Man, I so want one of those... Just don't want to pay the extra US$1K it takes to get another 14' board to me.



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"Surfing on downwinders" started by DBgr