I am looking for the board recommendation. Good wakesurf boards are expansive and I do not want to spend money on something that will not work for us. I wonder if someone have an experience with O'Brien Celsius 4'10" Wakesurfer 2015 and can compare it with something better. The main problem is that if I put all 4 fins on that board it cannot get enough speed to follow the boat and with two large fins there is not enough traction to stay on the side of the wake, it just slips sideways. Another related problem is with the lack of speed it tends to nose dive instead of accelerate. The only other board I've tried is large Slingshot Alien Twister, which has a good traction and does not dive, but it fills too bulky and not as much fun as Celsius. I am 60kg and 4'10" seems like the right size. Our wake is not very big and may be this is why this board is not working well.
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Vlad,
I don't have any personal experience with that board, but if you do some searching, you will generally find that if you are willing to invest in a board, your best option will be to contact one of the custom companies. You are going to pay more, but if you contact them, provide your weight, riding style, wave description...they can help you determine which one of their semi-custom boards would work or discuss a custom board.
These 2 seem to be the best options that you will see recommended on almost all wake surfing forums.
1: Chaos Surf Company - Contact Nick
http://chaossurfco.com/
Nick recommended one of his Sixers for me. I really enjoy this board. He also produced a custom Spooner for us that is on its way. I also believe that Chaos is the only or was the first to produce fins specific to wake surfing.
2: Sourcraft - Contact Jeff
https://www.soulcraftboarding.com/
These are by far the most recommended. I do not own one, but have been able to ride a couple. Great boards.
The custom boards are also very light weight compared to the mass produced boards. If you have different people riding it, they can glass it heavier or areas heavier such as the nose if you go full custom. They can discuss this with you. I have spoken with both Nick and Jeff in the past, they are both GREAT guys and really know their stuff and are very passionate and happy to pass on the "stoke".
If you search TO for Chaos you will find alot of good information that Nick has shared on here over the years. Not trying to sell his stuff, just educating on boards, much like Chpthril (Mike) does for all of us with ballast/stereo gear... Try to support the guys that support us.
Also, alot of people think the custom gear is going to be priced high. All in all, it is not that bad and especially with Hyperlite now having a board at around $1100, the custom stuff starts to look like a deal. If you determine what board will work for you - assuming it is not full custom, as if they have a blem board. My sixer from Chaos was a blem and discounted - I cannot tell you were the blem is, but these guys know their stuff and don't want to sell anything as perfect unless it is. I know that Soulcraft has occasionally had custom painted boards that people backed out of that are "blem" boards as well.
If you can find a Rusty dealer around, I would consider checking them out just so you can provide me with feedback
. I have been trying to get a chance to ride a few of their boards since they are a true surf company as well.
Good luck in your search."I think I am pretty smart for an idiot" -
My 2 cents...
It's taken me a good three years of surfing to learn even the slightest about boards. So as a relative newbie myself, I'll tell you what I've learned. There are two styles - skim and surf. I'm sure you've heard this before. So had I. But it took me quite a while to get good enough surfing before I could truly "feel" the difference.
A surf style board is meant to go fast, cut quick, jump and be relatively forgiving. They are very stable with bigger fins in the back. Generally speaking they are a touch longer and a touch narrower. They are often thicker. They can be extremely light if that is what you are willing to pay for. I have a Soulcraft Blunt Nose Honu at 4'10" and I can only just now ride it well being about 270lbs. There is no way I could ride a "cheap" 4'10" board. The construction and light weight of this board makes it surfable for me. It took me a season and a half to even be able to ride this thing. But it cuts, charges and even jumps pretty well. (for me its more of a hop)
A skim style is meant for spins and speed. I find the skim boards are really fast mostly because they are flatter and wide. They have a lot of surface area touching the water, so they move quick. But they are slippery. They have fewer small fins (sometimes just a single fin). A skim board often wants to dive under water if you are new to it. I got a Phase 5 Trident three years ago, and I hated it. I would try to ride down the wave with it and run it straight under water and end my surf. However this year it's my favourite board. It's because I got better. It is just as fast as the Soulcraft, and can do spins etc. However it doesn't "pop" like the light custom boards because it is a thin, carbon board.
So I guess what I'm saying is the board has a lot to do with you and the people who surf with you. I don't even bring out my Soulcraft with new surfers. They would hate it and likely destroy it. I let them ride my classic Ronix Koal Fish. It is forever long and forgiving. The turned up nose helps on submarining the nose.
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I know this recommendation sucks, but try and test them out. I have 6 boards now and only 2 of them made me happy at the time of purchase. I needed to grow in to them. (and in my case, getting smaller hasn't hurt either)
If you want to gamble and pick something, I'd do as Dandy suggested and buy a Soulcraft or a Chaos. My next board will likely be a Chaos or perhaps the new Liquid Force Keen. (I surfed a Keen last night and its the fastest skim I've ever tried)Comment
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^ JohnnieMo: 4'10" at 270lbs !? Good for you and you must have a pretty big wake. I felt like I almost needed a bigger board when I first got my Soulcraft because it rode so different. Now, I love it and would easily recommend Soulcraft to others.
I will agree that it does take a while to really get used to a board. I went from my 5'6" hyperlite broadcast to the same board 4'10" Blunt nose honu and felt like I almost had to relearn how to ride. A true surf style board demands to be ridden....you don't really just get to stand there and do nothing. For me it was learning to ride a lot more front foot heavy.
Vlad: You could also look at https://kanukboardco.com/ . Fellow Canadians making boards out here in BC. They seem to be blowing up pretty quick on the local seen. They have a new skim "the vedder" which I'd really like to try. For a new board you probably would want to stick with a surf style until you progress further.
I tell everyone there is three factors when surfing or learning too. Your wake, your board, and your balance.Comment
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Vlad,
You can hit us up and we can walk you through the best options for you for a better board and get your R20 dialed to really enjoy your time on the water.
We may have some blemish boards that will fit the bill well and not cost you an arm and leg.
NickComment
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What Nick said. That R20 should be capable of a pretty awesome wave. I'd take a look at that in tandem.Originally posted by Chaos View PostComment
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Thanks everyone. Just fpr the info, today I called a local board shop and asked if I can rent any of the boards before purchasing. The answer was no. Basically they have no options to try, I can only buy a new board that is not on final sale and if I return it as new I can get money back. I like the idea of having a custom board, but I an worried that they are more fragile than the one made as sandwich. We are learning and expect the board to be abused a lot. I have been doing windsurfing for over 20 years. There are similar technologies for board manufacturers and I prefer to have a bit heavier board, but more durable at least for now. I will still contact Nick and ask him more questions.
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Hi Nick,
What is the best way to contact you preferable evening time or weekends?
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VladM: That is usually the method for most shops from my experience. Reason being if you do damage the first go then you own the board and don't get to say "sorry" and give them back a $ x00.00 board back.
You do need to be bit more careful with a true foam board but it's pretty easy to not abuse it. You also need to be careful as to whom you let use it. Beginners don't get my Soulcraft.Comment
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I am be reached at:
512 6934823
or
Nick@chaossurfco.com
Evenings do work better than early morning.
NickComment
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I can also comment that Chaos' customer service is second to none. I would do business with Nick again in an instant.Comment
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