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Why does it need push, more rocker than a typical fish?It's a rippers' fish. Needs to be driven off the back foot. Never rode mine in anything that didn't have some push. Was able to ride it up to DOH. Would not select for so cal personally, there are better options for the pitchy, soft close-outs of the south bay.
Surfing 30+ years, but no ripper here. And more of a neutral/ front foot surfer. Wills was my favorite fish ever. Just 'outgrew' it.It's a rippers' fish. Needs to be driven off the back foot. Never rode mine in anything that didn't have some push. Was able to ride it up to DOH. Would not select for so cal personally, there are better options for the pitchy, soft close-outs of the south bay.
I've got one, love it at my local beachbreak and travels well. But IMHO it works best in 3-6' and potentially bigger depending on the surfer/wave.Surfing 30+ years, but no ripper here. And more of a neutral/ front foot surfer. Wills was my favorite fish ever. Just 'outgrew' it.
As long as there's a little push it'll work. Just not my favorite board when it's barely 2-3', high tide etc. I'm also a pretty average surfer so YMMV.Thanks. I don't feel like the South Bay is really a soft beach break personally, definitely pitchy and closed out with the occasional corner. Is there a particular fish you would recommend for Hermosa / MB area?
Thanks, mainly looking for something that is good in small 2-3 but can also be versatile in bigger surf. Does it have too much rocker for the smaller stuff? I have a Barahona Tiburon and Twinsman for better surf but would still like something that does well in pitchy beach break. My current Barahona fish is fine, but very wide and retro shape.
Thanks, I'll reach out to him see what his pricing is like - don't see any used on Craigslist / FB Marketplace.
Happy to help but I can only draw from my personal experience and sorry but I've been dealing with a neck injury so haven't been out on my WF in months.@bvendley Thanks - appreciate the insight. Do you think there is a better "performance" fish that wouldn't overlap as much with the Twinsman? In my experience the Twinsman really needs a good wave to get it going otherwise its slow as hell. When the waves are good the Twinsman is magic though.
I want something that can grovel when its small and soft but also hold in better surf (below head high). I was thinking of looking into Seaside and RNF as I see them getting recommended all the time on the web.
My guess is that an Album Lightbender or Sunstone, or even Lost Retro Fish would all be better choices.Thanks. I don't feel like the South Bay is really a soft beach break personally, definitely pitchy and closed out with the occasional corner. Is there a particular fish you would recommend for Hermosa / MB area?
Thanks, mainly looking for something that is good in small 2-3 but can also be versatile in bigger surf. Does it have too much rocker for the smaller stuff? I have a Barahona Tiburon and Twinsman for better surf but would still like something that does well in pitchy beach break. My current Barahona fish is fine, but very wide and retro shape.
Thanks, I'll reach out to him see what his pricing is like - don't see any used on Craigslist / FB Marketplace.
if OP considering another album for smaller/weaker waves (below HH) than Twinsman, check out Twinbender (winged Lightbender) or Plasmic / Vesper mini. Go as short as you can paddle- small but packs a lot of foam. Catches waves easily, fast, responsive (off the tail). https://www.varialsurf.com/collections/in-stock-surfboards/products/plasmic-59My guess is that an Album Lightbender or Sunstone, or even Lost Retro Fish would all be better choices.
They don't pop up too often, but if you happen to run across Akila Aipa's Contemporary fish, definitely worth a look as well. It has a good mix of fish & sb. I've used mine all over in a range of conditions. It excels in smaller surf where speed is your friend.Thank you. It's unlikely that I'll get another Album; the prices for used ones are exorbitant in this area. Besides, I make an effort to support local shapers whenever I can. My Twinsman is actually a clone crafted by a shaper in San Diego. I've been exploring Eric Christenson's board designs today, and there are a couple of fishy shapes that caught my eye. I particularly liked the ECDoesIt, although it's not a traditional fish design. I'll see what I can find on Craigslist / FB Marketplace.
The feedback I've received has been valuable. I'm looking to choose the most versatile fish-shaped board possible that fills the gap at the lower end of my quiver. My Twinsman fills the top end, my Barahona Tiburon fills the day to day, and I have a Becker LC-3 that fills the rest.
That’s a great call. Zippifish go well in a wide range of conditions and they’re local to youThanks I'll keep an eye out. I've been chatting with the Zippi people and may likely end up going the custom route, on par or cheaper than pricing I've been seeing for used boards that have been recommended here (Wills Fish, Seaside, RNF's, Albums) and knows a thing or two about my local conditions. For what it's worth, I stumbled upon Eric Christenson's stuff and I love some of his shapes, will have to pick one up in the future. Thanks to everyone in the thread for all the insight.
as far as I know, sadly, Zippi passed away recently, but his board designs are still available and being made. Check the website or zippifish IG account
Looks like whoever took over making them now has his fin templates available in FCS2Yeah Mike passed away.
Nice guy,
Stoked I was abler to get one while he was around.
Favorite board in the quiver right now as it just plain works.
Only drawback Is the glass Ons. I like the board so much I want to travel with it but may select something else to travel with just because of that
I had a 5'7 with Lokbox I got secondhand that I loved. I always thought if I'd order one that I'd go longer as well, 5'8-5'9.For some reason Mike always liked the redline in a 5-9. I usually ride a 5-6 fish but mike had a demo 5-9 that I tried at the time that worked well from 2ft to 10 ft.
I wasn't one to argue and that size seemed to work so I followed his advice and got a 5-9.
It they are still using his templates I may grab another with fcs 2, would love to ride that board at restaurants when I go back to Tavi in April