Looking for some feedback from fellow breezers on this. It's been years since I've surfed HPSBs. I got hooked on the benefits of hybrids and just never went back.

I'm 173cm and 67kg. Been loving my 5'8 x 19 1/4 x 2 1/4 katana skud, quad set-up. Easy entry to waves, very fast, grip of the quads on late take offs. Translates to getting/making more waves but there is always a compromise.

I have been kiting a HPSB and am loving it. It's a 5'7 by Colin Earle and a bit small for me to paddle, but the maneuverability and lively nature of the board has me thinking about going back to a standard shape for regular surfing.

Should I give it a go? I'm no hero at the beach. Just want to get a few waves, do a few turns and try the odd punt.

I couldn't paddle a board that small. Even 20 years ago I wasn't paddling a board that small. You guys sure about this?

The smallest board I ever surfed was one of Daves personal boards from 1995. A rockered wafer. It's still the best shortboard I have ever had in pure performance, but that katana just sinks these days.

Personally I would be saying go a little bigger in length and back to a HP shape if that's your wish, but not smaller.

drip my 5'9" x 19 1/2" x 2 3/8" summer board feels like it has more volume than my 5'11" - 6'1" x 18 1/2" x 2 3/8" hpsbs. Template has much more nose and tail and foil extends out further to the slightly fuller rails. My hpsbs are pared back to minimal volume. I'm ~80kg but like low volume.

thedrip said...
Personally I would be saying go a little bigger in length and back to a HP shape if that's your wish, but not smaller.

Pretty much what I am thinking.

Maybe 5'9 x 18.75 x 2.25 all 'ish'

bene313 said...

thedrip said...
Personally I would be saying go a little bigger in length and back to a HP shape if that's your wish, but not smaller.

Pretty much what I am thinking.

Maybe 5'9 x 18.75 x 2.25 all 'ish'

Do you still have your hybrid? (I'm assuming it's better as a groveller than a good wave board here too by the way.). If so, why get something so close to the same dimensions? Grab a 5'11-6'0 all rounder hpsb (not something with super low rails and heaps of curve otherwise you'll only find yourself enjoying it on the trips down south and Indo etc.). The lost beach buggy is a good example of this, one of the best all rounders I have ever had ( and before anyone chimes in I don't want to get into the debate about local shapers as I have quite a few of those in the quiver too, just using the bb as an example with a lot of online info avail.)
That way you are covered for far more range of surf than a 5'8 and a 5'9, even if u are a smaller guy. Do not underestimate rail lentgh, not everyone can surf 5'4's like Craig Anderson and a 6'0 really isn't that big of a board

Dunno goodvibes, my shaper doesn't do litres. Less than I should.

Actually the beach buggy in 5'11 or 6'0 at stock dims would be too big...

bene313 said...
Actually the beach buggy in 5'11 or 6'0 at stock dims would be too big...

Yep probably, I ride the 5'11 just slightly thicker than stock and I'm 83kgs at 5'9. I just used that board as an example of a more traditional sb.
FYI my grovellers are 5'8 and 5'9 which are still OK in normal waves, I have a 6'1 and a 6'2 for good-pumping waves to up to double head and a couple of 6'6s for waves at a solid 6 foot. The 5'11 gets ridden 75% of the time. I know most smaller hybrids boards go good in normal waves but I still think a two board quiver is hugely beneficial.

If you surf a lot and are paddle fit go HPSB if not ....no brainer, sounds like Networks got ya sorted.

Lol. Didn't realise I was quoting a bloke quoting me. No wonder I agreed with him.

Tux said..
get on a vader or an evo....pretty much all the pluses of a HPSB put into something you can paddle

There's an Evo copy at Katana I might be able to try out (except there are no waves)

MickPC said..
what is the compromise your making with the skud Maybe you just need to try a smaller one if you have been loving it. Maybe like a 5'4 or 5'5

I guess I'm thinking of dropping some volume and going back to a thruster. So it's a performance v volume trade off. Also the skud is so fast - great when you need it around metro and the like - but on the reefs down south I have to stomp the tail to slow down, try to stay in the pocket, and it doesn't want to surf as vert as a standard thruster does. Still, it's the best allrounder and generally the best board I've ever had so maybe I should get another in say 5'6 like you suggest, plus a 5'10 more standard shape. Need to book some time with my busy shaper

bene313 said..

MickPC said..
what is the compromise your making with the skud Maybe you just need to try a smaller one if you have been loving it. Maybe like a 5'4 or 5'5

I guess I'm thinking of dropping some volume and going back to a thruster. So it's a performance v volume trade off. Also the skud is so fast - great when you need it around metro and the like - but on the reefs down south I have to stomp the tail to slow down, try to stay in the pocket, and it doesn't want to surf as vert as a standard thruster does. Still, it's the best allrounder and generally the best board I've ever had so maybe I should get another in say 5'6 like you suggest, plus a 5'10 more standard shape. Need to book some time with my busy shaper

I reread that & thought I'm an idiot, of course you mean the old wave count vs performance...Wide boards don't sit in the pocket well in big waves, they're not made for them. Not sucky ones with pockets anyway. And short boards mean your dropping in late a lot of the time, especially on those waves that aren't so close to shore & have a stiff offshore. You have a great board for your local beachies where your always chasing those sections. For bigger waves, someone your height & weight could probably go a 6'2 for a semi gun type board. Narrower nose & rounded pin tail about 18 1/4 to 18.5 wide & 2.5 thick. Medium size thruster set up & about the same volume as your skud. A PU board 6oz bottom & 8oz top. So even though its about the same volume, its not as corky & has more flex to soften the ride through the inevitable bigger wave bumps. Just my opinion anyway, I prefer PU in bigger waves unless your talking Indo glassy perfection.

Other than that,there's nothing wrong with stomping on the tail to slow down or dragging your arm. You might find a simple change in fin set up might have ya sorted

Hey Bene, if your looking at Tomos you might want to consider a V4 as a mini stepup for down south or even as a regular HPSB. Got the paddle power and drive of the Vanguard/Vader but handles bigger drops and speed really well. There's usually a one on Gumtree.