Can't decide on a step up

Can't decide on a step up


  • Total voters
    23

motosurf

Nep status
Nov 19, 2008
762
424
63
41
805
Have $ burning a hole in my pocket and need to get a step up/good wave board before winter. Have a 6'6" so need something to fill the gap between that and my 6'0 +/- 34l shortboards.

Was leaning towards a custom Mini Padi because at this point I think something that paddles better and is easier to ride is the way to go over the most high performance option, espcially in solid waves. The stock boards are too small at that length so would have to go custom. The easiest option would be driving to oceanside and grabbing a 6'2" Ghost XL off the rack but I need it to last and the otr boards have 4/4/4 glassjob. Also they are futures and all my fins are fcs2.

I've always wanted a black beauty but building one online they start to look funky when they approach 20" wide in the shorter lengths. I do like boards with vee though. My other hangup on a CI is that the boards I've had from them over 2-5/8" start getting really chunky in the tail. Feel like the pyzels hide the thickness a bit better.

They seem to have fallen out of style around here but I had a 6'2" bonzer that went insane in good hollow waves. Was thinking a round pin 5fin maybe with an ewing would go good. I've always liked them backside and I am goofy in the land of right points.

Anybody who has ridden a ghost/mini padi at shorter length let me know what you think. Thanks
 
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Duffy LaCoronilla

Duke status
Apr 27, 2016
42,602
34,757
113
Have $ burning a hole in my pocket and need to get a step up/good wave board before winter. Have a 6'6" so need something to fill the gap between that and my 6'0 +/- 34l shortboards.

Was leaning towards a custom Mini Padi because at this point I think something that paddles better and is easier to ride is the way to go over the most high performance option, espcially in solid waves. The stock boards are too small at that length so would have to go custom. The easiest option would be driving to oceanside and grabbing a 6'2" Ghost XL off the rack but I need it to last and the otr boards have 4/4/4 glassjob. Also they are futures and all my fins are fcs2.

I've always wanted a black beauty but building one online they start to look funky when they approach 20" wide in the shorter lengths. I do like boards with vee though. My other hangup on a CI is that the boards I've had from them over 2-5/8" start getting really chunky in the tail. Feel like the pyzels hide the thickness a bit better.

They seem to have fallen out of style around here but I had a 6'2" bonzer that went insane in good hollow waves. Was thinking a round pin 5fin maybe with an ewing would go good. I've always liked them backside and I am goofy in the land of right points.

Anybody who has ridden a ghost/mini padi at shorter length let me know what you think. Thanks
What waves are you thinking about using it for?
 

claw87

Legend (inyourownmind)
Jan 30, 2017
461
1,655
93
Mini padi is epic, but I'd ride it a few inches longer than the ghost
 

motosurf

Nep status
Nov 19, 2008
762
424
63
41
805
What is your 6-6 and do you like it?
6'6" from a local shaper that works good but it's narrower than I prefer now. Also have a 6'5" old school C Bros thruster that went good when I tried it in waves smaller than I bought it for. Meeting a guy today for a beater 6'6" round tail Fred Rubble that's got plenty of foam. Those boards don't get used that much around here..
 

Aruka

Tom Curren status
Feb 23, 2010
12,951
25,904
113
PNW
I'm a big fan of Stamps step ups. The most recent one I got is a Warhawk next step. It has extra foam up front but it's not overly wide and different feeling so I don't feel like I have to adjust my surfing much coming off my normal hpsb. The rocker is not extreme but it's enough to keep you out of trouble in hollow surf. The rails are slender given the center thickness and the glassing is solid. It feels a little more suited to west coast waves than many of the Hawaiian step ups I've ridden. By that I mean it works a little better in bigger surf that isn't top-to-bottom reef waves. It's still a step up though and doesn't really come alive until the waves are overhead and/or steep and juicy.