Too much of a leap???

[rebecca2]

Hi guys,

I'm riding a 7'9 Bic at the moment and I'm looking to move down to a 6'8 x 20.5 x 2.5. Is it too much of a leap down or would I be ok on that size? I've been told that because I'm tall and slim that I can afford to take that leap rather than going for something around the 6'10 mark. I'm approx. 9 stone and approx. 5'9/5'10 tall. I'd really appreciate your opinions on this because I'm not too sure what to do. Thanks.

Rebecca.

[henryg]

You're not going to notice much difference between 6'8 and 6'10. It'll feel a lot different to your bic either way. At 9 stone you could probably go even smaller if you are reasonably competent and as long as you keep it wide.

[rebecca2]

So would you think 20.5 would be wide enough?

[Chris F]

As much to do with your ability as your size. Do you feel like you are riding the current board as well as you can and it's holding you back?

Are you sticking with Bic???

[lorcar]

dont be scared at all. I am 181cm and 70kg. I moved from a 7'4'' minimal to a 6'4''x19.5x2.5 Am Flyer in Tuflite, and it's a lot of volume.
You will still be unable to duckdive it and being so light you will feel you are above water instead of digging your rail into wave's face.
Anyhow, don't be scared at all. If you have to make the choice, between the two get the shorter one.

[flacky]

Foam is your friend. But before you go too wide, make sure you can carry it. I know a lass who bought her dream board and had to sell it after a week as she couldn't carry it. Too wide, couldn't get her arm round it comfortably.

[henryg]

20.5 is plenty wide

[rebecca2]

No not staying with Bic....they're brilliant 1st time boards but not great shortboards so going to go for a different brand!

[flacky]

not great shortboards

in what way?

[KennyW]

I went from a 7'6 NSP to a 7' x 21.25 i think, 2.5 ish glass thruster. Only just managed the transition, but Im a bit bigger than you and I should have stuck to the NSP until I had more of the basics down. Having said that, if you're full of confidence and determination though, you'll make it work!

[the lush]

No not staying with Bic....they're brilliant 1st time boards but not great shortboards so going to go for a different brand!

You do realise it's a scientific fact that the time taken from getting a shiny new board home and dinging it is 4 seconds?

The Bic 6'10 performer actually isn't that bad if you can get one. Better shape and construction than the basic ones and still ding resistant. My girlfriend uses one as her travel board and I took it out at Balangan (Bali) on a 4 foot day after trashing my board and had a blast on it. Nice early take offs, good rail hold and plenty of speed to race sections. Couldn't fault it apart from the fins which are pretty basic when really digging in, but that shouldn't trouble you for a while. If I ever make it to a slabby onshore Boscombe reef session, I'll be taking it out.

The only reason I can see why it isn't more popular, apart from being Bic, is that it is neither a full on performance shape or minimalesque so the target market is somewhat limited. Still a good board for downsizing though.

[niv-nav]

hey man i got a 6'8 and i found that it was a gd board to start on for first short board ive bodyboarded for a few years mainly in the summer but i thought i would give surfing a go so i bought a 6'8 which i got now and its been so easy to get into and ride .

im 15st and 6'2 about and its been great its a little floaty which makes it easy to catch waves . my friends been on it and i would say hes about the same weight and hight as you and he luved it. We swapped boards for a couple of seshs and he was keen to buy it off me but hes strapped for cash atm he normally use a 7'2. i wouldnt say it is a big leap but u should get going after a few times out .

im looking to go to a 6'6 which i think will be the smallest i can really go my board is actually for sale its a Circle one 6'8, 20, 2 1/2 shortboard im looking for around £150 if ur interested and its in excellent condition if u want pics let me know its on ebay at the moment so check it out

josh

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 500wt_1038