How to choose the right size JL SuperFrank? I'm 6' tall 80 Kg and on the very beginning of the intermediate skill set. Surf waves that are generally small-medium in the US New England coast, and this board comes highly recommended for 85% of our days. Nowhere to demo it around here, so looking for feedback from riders that have used this board. From what I gather, the "safe" bet would be the 8'6" / 141 L widebody model, but based on user reviews that praise the board's stability, I wonder if this won't end up feeling like overkill and oversize too fast? I appreciate a little more glide to paddle out to more waves faster, but perhaps the 8'0 / 130 L would accomplish the same purpose while cutting down on length and not giving up too much glide and lateral stability? Also, does anybody have experience comparing performance on the same length board in the wide vs. lean shape format? Many thanks!
I have been using the 8 foot wide for the past year. I really like this board. I am 6 foot and 90 kgs and I don't have any stability issues but where I surf is usually pretty calm. It doesn't paddle super fast but it does catch waves easily. If you have a long paddle to get to the waves I think you might like the 8'6 lean more. Either way it's a great board and I see quite a few people riding them.
Thanks for your response jvriesinga. Have also been looking into the Sunova Placid 8'7 and the Creek 8'10 as possible boards that could hit the marks. I keep reading rave reviews about the Creek's performance, but wonder if the narrower width at 30-1/4" compared to 32 on the Placid is going to suit my needs.
I had the creek but got rid of it. I think it's more suited to powerful waves. People here rave about the placid but I haven't tried one. Also look at a 8'5 destroyer. That might be a do everything sort of board.
What size Creek were you riding? It has the outline / shape for faster waves, so makes sense that it would come more into its own in those conditions. My guess is that the Placid would be a more forgiving and versatile board. More sluggish, but hopefully not slow?
Have you ridden the JL Destroyer 8'5"? I wonder how it would compare to the Placid.
I had a 9'4. I didn't keep it long. For me I like to surf from the middle of the board since I've been snowboarding my whole life. The reason I like the super Frank is that it's short enough that the middle is close to the back already. As I said I've really liked the super Frank and if people who know the waves you surf recommended it then thats the direction I would go.
