Aruka said:
Around here though the big board is often times as much for the fact that you are chasing peaks in a huge playing field and there is tons of rip as much as it is for actually catching the waves. It might only be 1.5XOH but good luck holding position let alone getting into a wave on a little hpsb.
If your around the world trip includes beachbreak at that size in Mainland Mex, SW France, Portugal, South Africa, Victoria, etc. I don't think you'll be disappointed by the rip currenty chasing (and being chased!) by grunty ones asswhoopty factor. Given my hatred of crowds, places like that would be the rule with only a small smattering of rural/pain in the ass reefs/points being surfed.
Throw in some other opportunities. Around the world. A month in a place like Punta Hermosa, Peru in season could surely see Punta Rocas or a reef at that class or above, but not quite Pico Alto, serve up some Grade A deep water movement within a confident, experienced intermediate's grasp, but not on a DD or something 2" longer. Not even close. Pacasmayo up the coast on a South but before Chicama really cooks. Punta Lobos in Chile, waves in West Australia, Tasmania, South Africa, Namibia, Ireland, Fiji, Hawaii...
I mean no sh!t on the 9 footer but something in the 6'8" to 7' range that has f--- the bull---t foam on the stringer and under the chest is a 100% must have unless you have Michael Phelps paddling and zen-like crowd patience to navigate the world's pressure cooker head high skateparks.