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Step Up Mentawai

santacruzin

santacruzin

Kelly Slater status
Oct 17, 2007
9,136
10,360
113
valley purgatory
6'8 is the biggest board I have ridden in Indo. The barrels are almondy not square for the most part. So I find I want a smaller board I can stay high and tight with.
The 6’8 felt too big but was nice to paddle , 6’3-6’4 for a step up and a 6’6 if it gets huge and I am good to go.

That said there is more than one way to skin a cat, some guys like smaller boards, some like bigboards.
Think about the waves you are going to ride, pay attention to swell report and quiver accordingly.

Its the most fun thing to do pre trip,think about what boards to bring!
 
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JeffRSpicoli

JeffRSpicoli

Nep status
Aug 9, 2019
610
743
93
Maz said:
Another oldie here, with quite a bit of Indo experience.

Was happily overgunned on my 6'10 Desert Storm, but loved it. Would probably bring a ~6'6 with decent volume (36-38L), and I think the Slayer II looks great. I'm 6'1 x 180 x 59yo.

Btw, swallow tails go bloody good in Indo, especially where you have a bit of room to move.

And enjoy the anticipation :)
Click to expand...
Love to hear that, swallow tail is my first choice, plan to bring my Twin Fin and Hatchet, or Barking Spider or Heckler, or, or.....:unsure:
 
92122

92122

Michael Peterson status
Jul 29, 2015
2,636
1,069
113
JeffRSpicoli said:
I'm gravitating to the Slayer II (6'4" 36L) , but welcome thoughts, and prayers.

As a Rusty regular if I go off of the reservation I'm currently leaning towards the CI Happy Traveler or Stretch Semi Gun.
Click to expand...
You've likely already read this as I know you like Rusty Surfboards and have commented on my R* boards before, but here is a recent write up on the Blackbird vs. the older Slayer vs. the newer Slayer II. Add in the New Traveler and I feel like they each take a subtly different approach to Step-Ups and wave conditions.

rustysurfboards.com

Slayer vs Slayer 2 vs Blackbird

A very common question we get asked: What are the differences between the Slayer, Slayer 2 and Blackbird? Below are the key points and differentiating factors between each model: Slayer Designed for slabs. Meant to be ridden a few inches shorter than your avg short board Lower entry moderate...
rustysurfboards.com rustysurfboards.com
 
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Retropete

Retropete

Phil Edwards status
Jan 20, 2006
6,045
4,586
113
Sunny Coast Qld Australia
freeride76 said:
There's only one question you need to ask yourself.

If you get a day of days, will you want to paddle out?

If so, prepare for that.

Looking at f/cast of course.
Click to expand...
I'd take it a step further and add:
On that day of days are you going to paddle out and bob around the shoulder with all the rest of the wannabees or are you going to throw yourself over the ledge and charge on that step up?
I'm old now and my charging days feel like they are well and truly behind me but man I can say when I was younger and surfing in Indo regularly it was easy to get waves on big days when the horizon turned dark and the bombs came rolling through because the vast majority wanted nothing to do with them.
 
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JeffRSpicoli

JeffRSpicoli

Nep status
Aug 9, 2019
610
743
93
92122 said:
You've likely already read this as I know you like Rusty Surfboards and have commented on my R* boards before, but here is a recent write up on the Blackbird vs. the older Slayer vs. the newer Slayer II. Add in the New Traveler and I feel like they each take a subtly different approach to Step-Ups and wave conditions.

rustysurfboards.com

Slayer vs Slayer 2 vs Blackbird

A very common question we get asked: What are the differences between the Slayer, Slayer 2 and Blackbird? Below are the key points and differentiating factors between each model: Slayer Designed for slabs. Meant to be ridden a few inches shorter than your avg short board Lower entry moderate...
rustysurfboards.com rustysurfboards.com
Click to expand...
Thank you for the pointing this out! I did read it and still came away wondering "which one." The Kandui guys, knowing I am paying Rusty's mortgage at this point, suggested the Slayer II, so I am selling myself on that, but maybe I'll bring two :D
I still wonder if the Rusty Twin Fin would work 6'5" 36.6L, that board really is impressive so far, even on some big stuff.
 
JeffRSpicoli

JeffRSpicoli

Nep status
Aug 9, 2019
610
743
93
freeride76 said:
There's only one question you need to ask yourself.

If you get a day of days, will you want to paddle out?

If so, prepare for that.

Looking at f/cast of course.
Click to expand...
"There's only one question you need to ask yourself."
Retropete said:
I'd take it a step further and add:
On that day of days are you going to paddle out and bob around the shoulder with all the rest of the wannabees or are you going to throw yourself over the ledge and charge on that step up?
I'm old now and my charging days feel like they are well and truly behind me but man I can say when I was younger and surfing in Indo regularly it was easy to get waves on big days when the horizon turned dark and the bombs came rolling through because the vast majority wanted nothing to do with them.
Click to expand...
Great questions, I'm no ego surfer, and respect/know my limits/comfort zone. I guess the answer is, just like Mr. Spicoli said Mr. Hand "I don't know."

Would like the proper equipment if "the day" occurs, but if it is exceedingly uncomfortable in the line up for me: double-triple OH and I ain't feeling it, I'm not embarrassed to watch.
-And if I understand the set up out there, sounds like you can just "go around the corner" and get something more comfortable to surf?
-reef booties needed?

And broadly speaking, don't we all have the skills to ride those waves? I mean after ~40+ years of surfing, for me and you guys too, it seems the biggest hurdle is between our ears. But I don't need to climb Mount Everest to know that I could climb Mount Everest.

Psyching me out already....:D:shaka:
 
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O

OsideBum

OTF status
Mar 15, 2022
152
295
63
Love this thread! I’m going in March and I’m already having boards shaped. The longest board I’ll take is a 6’2. I’m banking on the shoulder season not being too heavy.
 
JeffRSpicoli

JeffRSpicoli

Nep status
Aug 9, 2019
610
743
93
OsideBum said:
Love this thread! I’m going in March and I’m already having boards shaped. The longest board I’ll take is a 6’2. I’m banking on the shoulder season not being too heavy.
Click to expand...
Nice! Can't wait to hear about it, sort of when I wanted to go, but the crew couldn't swing it so 'forced' to do In-Season.
 
Retropete

Retropete

Phil Edwards status
Jan 20, 2006
6,045
4,586
113
Sunny Coast Qld Australia
santacruzin said:
what is the best board for this? Asking for a friend :roflmao:
Click to expand...
Working off my glory days of 30 odd years ago it would be a late 80's/early 90's 7'2" 6 channel AB swallow tail thruster.
Anyone foolhardy enough to follow this board recommendation will surely be cursing my very existence after said old dunger snaps on the very first bottom turn and the ensuing trip across the jagged reef that follows.
:drowning: :foreheadslap:
 
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F

freeride76

Michael Peterson status
Dec 31, 2009
3,462
4,330
113
Lennox Head.
JeffRSpicoli said:
I mean after ~40+ years of surfing, for me and you guys too, it seems the biggest hurdle is between our ears.
Click to expand...
No, the biggest hurdle is having the nuts/skills to get the job done in an 8ft barrel and having the physical conditioning to deal with the donuts for when it goes wrong.

Things get simpler, harder and heavier consequences as it gets bigger.
 
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M

Maz

Michael Peterson status
May 18, 2004
3,096
4,652
113
Innzid
freeride76 said:
No, the biggest hurdle is having the nuts/skills to get the job done in an 8ft barrel and having the physical conditioning to deal with the donuts for when it goes wrong.

Things get simpler, harder and heavier consequences as it gets bigger.
Click to expand...
Yep!
6 weeks ago I was in the surfing shape of my life. Would paddle an 8'0 through endless whitewater lines and battle currents, then chase down 2OH++ waves way offshore. And I felt fcuken invincible, not caring that I got mowed down by cleanups.
My back muscles felt like a layer of armour, and I felt so good and so strong.

Then I did my hamstring, and went on a 4 week trip to Europe not surfing but socialising with family and old friends.

Need a few weeks of healthy living, but will get back there.
 
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