Check out our new board

[Surfdad]

Hey TDRCSR, sorry to be confusing. Personally our Tige has about 1300 pounds of ballast in a custom sac that runs the length of the port side. We typically run at 10.5 mph and have...between 400 to 700 pounds of people ballast, taps at 4 (but I adjust as we use gas). What I was trying to convey, however was that you can generate an adequate wake without 2,000 pounds of ballast. So many folks go for more ballast, which WILL allow you to surf (as NICK pointed out above) when you can't otherwise, but if the board is undersized to begin with, the resulting ride is poor and sluggish. If you step up the surface area of your board, rather than ballast, you'll find you're riding 100% better. Now, IMO, the BEST ride is with a 20+ foot long pocket, a properly sized board, 11+ mph and a wake height that is 3+ foot high.

[NICKYPOO]

Surfdad-

I'm glad your a Tige guy. It's nice to get in on this kind of info coming from someone who is obviously on top the whole wakesurfing game. Big thanks go out to you.

While we're talking boards, I've got two of them. I'm stuck on my Landlock 5'6". I also have a Surf Skate from Trick Boardz but, that thing is tiny. I bought it as a step up in performance from the Landlock but unless I have 1000+lbs and 8+ people, I can't ride it. I did finally put a set of fins on it and have yet to give it a whirl like that but, I pretty much know that if I don't lose 50lbs it's going to remain my wifes board. That has left me Landlocked. I'm done with this thing. I've pushed it about as far as it will go with my 195 pound ***. People are usually fairly impressed with the skills but I'm left holding a bag of "if only I had a better board". Every time I ride it, I feel I've reached the edge of performance. Now don't get me wrong, my Landlock has taken me a long way, probably further than any board I've ever had for anything "board". The problem is, it's too damn tuff to pull the trigger on a $500 board that I've never even ridden. I already dropped a few bills on a Surfskate that I can't even ride. How am I supposed to justify a handmade when I can't even demo it. I've ridden every "pop out" on the market and the 5'6" Landlock (now the Broadcast) is the one that works best for me. What's a fella supposed to do? What good is a custom paint job if all it does is sit on the dock and look pretty? Blind faith is tough for me to swallow because I can't just keep buying boards in order to find just one I like. I know what I like about my Landlock and would like to see some of the things in that board in a real board. I love the low profile (fits in a regular board rack) and I love the sharp edges. However, it's big, it's tough to break loose and a nightmare to shuv. It does not surf backwards so if you have any kind of bobble while backwards, your done. Where do I go from here? I want a quick skim style that will charge down the line with the best of 'em. help me Obi Surfdad, you're my only hope. Seeing James just killin' like he is, is killin' me. Waaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Tequilasun]

Man o' Man....

I am with Nicky on this one, I am in almost the exact same situation!

Gotta find me a new board.....

[Surfdad]

My wakesurfing children, sit and listen as I explain the great mysteries of the wakesurf board. I do feel your pain guys. I refuse to publically proclaim the amount of money I've spent on boards that did NOT work for me. It was out of that frustration that I started shaping my own - only to have Clark Foam close down at the height of my creativity!

The vast majority of manufacturers promolgate propaganda about their boards and quite frankly the major manufacturers have spent probably 6 minutes creating the broadcast, ride and inlanders.

to be continued...

[Surfdad]

The first thing you simply have to do is determine the style you want to ride. There are two pretty clear genres, if you will SKIM style and SURF style. Nick, I'll be honest with you. Doing a shuv it at almost 200 pounds is unlikely. To launch a shuv you REALLY need to have our trailing foot close to the rail, such that your toes overhang. On a skateboard, you don't have to worry about length, really the same is true with a wakeskate. With Wakesurfing, you aren't afforded that luxury. Trying to spin a 5'6" board in the confines of a pocket we surf behind is going to be very hard. Victoria and Phase 5 both make boards that are suited for larger riders and eventually Walzer should have one too. The Trick Boardz mojo has some possibility, but I find that board requires you to ride more centered than you need to be to throw shuv's. So...if you're thinking skim style, those are really your options: Phase 5 Oogle, Victoria Wake Skim and the Trick Boardz - probably Mojo.

[Surfdad]

Trick Boardz has a great money back guarantee, you don't like it, send it back. Plus, I know that Larry has some used ones now and again for about $150...to me, even if you just rented one of his boards (don't tell him I suggested that ), you minimize the risk. Phase 5 (or Zap skimboards) are "plentiful"...I've seen blem's for as little as $200. To me, that road is pretty clear, the TRUE options aren't that vast and there is one manufacturer that makes sampling his product pretty easy. It is possible to make a wakesurfer from a used skimboard. Drill holes, expoy some metal tubing and then add a HL A wing fin. You can find used Zap, Vic's and other skimboards for pennies on the dollar.

[Surfdad]

The SURF style options are more problematic. This is the broadest segment of manufacture and if your read the claims, each manufacturer's board will have you spinning surface three's while it makes your bed. There are ways around the $500 price. Each of the manufacturers has demo boards at the end of each season - they are rough, but if what you want is to sample the product, you can get a board for $100 + shipping. The problem of course is waiting Two manufacturers who are REALLY good about consulting before the purchase are Jerry Price at Shred Stixx and Mike Walker at the Walker Project. Jerry is the most knowldegable and most helpful of all the manufacturers for behind the boat surfing.

Lastly, you can sometimes find used ocean boards, referred to as Black Ballers. 50/50 Waveskates makes some and INT boards also has a few. These are in the 5'0" range and I've seen them used for about $125.

[Surfdad]

As new and dynamic as this sport is, it would be great to see some demo days. Most local pro shops don't have any idea what is out there. The public forums tend to be filled with "my Coex is the best board ever!" claims when the poster hasn't ridden anything else.

So...that's my 2 cents and what, 5 posts? Select a style first. Skim selections are pretty easy. Take advantage of manufacturers And sample or demo on the cheap, when possible.

[NICKYPOO]

Thanks Dad, I feel better now. My local shop does carry the Phase 5s and I think I'll head down at lunch and see if the new ones have come in yet (last I checked they hadn't gotten any 06's in yet). My wife actually thinks the Phase 5 looks good so maybe I can talk her into an Oogle. Pray for me.

[Tequilasun]

Holy Moly, Surfdad, that was great.

Thanks for all that information!

[Surfdad]

I had to post one more picture. That's the tail of the board up front.

[NICKYPOO]

I guess prayer doesn't work? My shop isn't gonna carry Phase 5 anymore even though they only have one left from last year. It's a Prop. Used. Floor model. My favorite. Price is right. But it's a Prop. Do I really want to buy my wife another board?

[Tequilasun]

Don't do it Nicky. I didn't like the prop either...


But you could go at it with a belt sander!


Maybe shape it up to your liking?

[NICKYPOO]

So I went down and talked to the guys a the shop and they are letting me demo the P5 Prop for the next two weeks for a mere $25. They usually charge $25 per day. Just goes to show you that if you spend enough time and money in your local board shop the will eventually give you special treatment. I guess we'll see how it surfs. My wife has already laid claim to it. If I decide I (my wife) want it I'll just need to kick them another $175.

[NICKYPOO]

I was wrong, it's an Icon. 50" X 20". Loved it. Fast and manuverable, all sorts of easy to spin, while pumping from way out of the pocket I discovered how easy it is to ollie. Best sessions of my life. For normal conditions I'm going to look into a 54" x 20.5" Prop. We had beautiful conditions and the weight (1000lbs and 6-8 people) to make it an epic week and the little P5 Icon was the E- ticket.