Anybody got any recommendations for a board that can be used as an all rounder? Paddling is a bit of weakness so looking for something that has a bit of volume. Was considering the CI Motorboat..... and thoughts?

check out boardcave they have a good board calculator. Lots of different Aussie brands too!

If it were my money I'd be looking at a Yahoo Dhufish or a Stone Surf Designs diamond Quad (but hey i've got 3 and another on the way!)

DaveyG said..

Just go see your local shaper, tell them exactly what your current skill level is, what you are looking for in a board (emphasis on volume/paddling speed) and get one made to measure. If they're any good they'll get it pretty close. Many will also give you a guarantee 'like it or we will shape you a new one'.

I just did this and couldn't be happier. And the price isn't any more expensive than 'off the rack'

It won't affect you. But for an advanced surfer, an overvolumed board becomes harder to sink the rail when you want to do turns on rail. Conversely, an overvolumed board makes it easier to link fat sections where the wave doesn't provide enough power. So in fat or weak waves volume is good, in power too much volume can be a bad thing.

Another example, one of my old fallbacks is sink the tail to stall for a barrel. Like in Fiji I think one of the guys did a few and the commentators were calling it Johnny Boy Gomes-style. It works wonders on a foiled out pin or round tail. My attempts at doing this on my fat little wide-tail fishes is comical. In powerful sections, a fat tail limits your ability to fine-tune your control.

All this is way beyond your current pay grade, so in the short term volume is good for you because it makes paddling easier.

5'10" x 20" x 3" will be heaps of volume. Like 35L+, surely. Unless you're 100kg+ that's heaps.

Ask over at the longboard room.