size surfboard to learn on

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

I have a 5'11 slingshot SRT thats about 18" wide. I'm having a hard time learning to jibe on it. Have ridden it strapless, no problem going toeside but it just gets real wobbly when I try to shift my stance to jibe. I'm 190 lbs. Are wider boards easier to learn on? Like maybe a fish or something 20-22" wide? It seems intuitive to me that wider would mean more stable but thought I'd throw it out there before spending $$.
Suggestions for training wheel board?

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Stand-up paddle boards should be wide enough.

J/k

From what I've heard a fish style is a bit easier. But the main thing is to have the kite suspend you almost weightless when you're doing the gybe.

Windian · Since 28 Apr 2008 902 Posts Newport, OR NEWPORT OG

Wider is better for stability, but I would not go super wide unless you are going to ride the board purely as a strapless board. For a strapped board, 19" to 19 1/4" should feel a whole lot more stable than an 18" wide board.

Hein · Since 08 Mar 2005 1314 Posts Possessed

302 posts? you need at least 500 to transition a surfboard.

Too stiff and you'll need 1000.

maybe try to unhook.
wait, nah, forget that.

OG · Since 07 Jun 2011 600 Posts Addicted

i think you should keep practicing man, there is always theoretically ideal gear and then also the exercise of narrowing down the opinions and advice you trust. If we are at the same beach you can try my fish. I personally think because its faster from rail to rail that felt more wobbly strapless when i first started riding it. With that said, I dont think i know much other than lots of practice just made it all mohBeddah!

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

I'm guessing you fail for the same reason, over and over. Like always fall forward or always lose speed and sink. Maybe get expert advice from an instructor?
Instead of wasting countless sessions and spending hundreds on bigger boards - take a lesson.

Bigger boards are more forgiving with regards to foot placement - so yeah they'll be easier to learn on. I learned on a 5-7 18 inch as well as a 6-2 19". The 6-2 was definitely easier to transition. I'm also 190 lbs.

A much better solution is a T-90 strap from Northshore. I put these on my boards. Not only does it make jibe's easier, they're way more comfortable on all points of sail. Next best thing to strapless.
No way I could ever go back to a regular foot strap in the front.... it's not natural.
I tried to learn to jibe a surfboard with normal straps. I tried for 20 sessions and was 50-50 success. I switched to a T strap and immediately was 100% success.

http://www.northshoreinc.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=12&idproduct=279

Another option is to learn strapless. Also easier than regular footstrap.

Weaz · Since 23 May 2012 360 Posts Beaverton Obsessed

Link

beech · Since 21 Aug 2010 486 Posts Longview, WA Obsessed

good angle on that vid. Prolly the best one I've seen where you can actually watch whats goin on with the feets.

BigR · Since 05 Jul 2005 372 Posts White Salmon Obsessed

Kinda like a snap jibe just a little slower, make sure your
kite is transitioned from low to high just as you make the downwind transition
and start diving hard as you come out of the transition.
but don't lolly gag too much just as you turn from downwind to upwind, this is usually the slowest part of the jibe and you'll sink waitin' too long.
Initiate the jibe with steady but gradual pressure on the rail, not too much
but continual.
I think 19-19 1/2" is best. Unless you are a real lightweight then less than 19"
may be fine. over 21 is definitely fish territory and anything is easier.
Yeah, bring the back foot out. You don't really need that back strap as much as the
front strap. I sometimes only use the front one in sessions. Or strapless is good too

quenyaistar · Since 21 Oct 2011 416 Posts Cougar, WA Obsessed

http://kitesurfingschool.org/jiberobby.htm

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

When you transition, you want to be momentarily weightless, yet also stable on the board.
This seems contradictory, but...
As you ride (strapless!), focus on visualizing an imaginary point on the board, where all the pressure is centered or balanced, as if it were an indo board. As you move your feet around and head up and down wind, keep visualizing that spot, how it shifts a bit but always remains between your feet. You will find you are moving your feet around a bit to keep the balance...
Get used to riding so the pressure is equal on each foot, don't let your back foot sit back on the stomp pad all the time. Keep each foot roughly equidistant from the center of pressure. Notice how the board seems glued to your feet and more stable, whether you push against it hard or bend your knees and ride light on your feet. Notice how the whole ride seems smoother, chop is easier too...
When the board is balanced like this and pressed against your feet, you can unweight and quickly shift your feet around. Try it.
If you want, move the feet before the carve. Or after.
Switching feet positions in the middle of the carve, and/or with unequal pressure on the feet, makes it much harder. Lots of ways to turn, but find and hone your balance on the board, it gets easier!

Aeolus · Thu Feb 07, 13 10:44 pm

You fall and chase and fall and chase and then shazam......you think it's a dance move and then realize its not Razz

The caution crew put out a nice spot on the deal..... 30 per session and you'll be hoppin in no time. Fucker makes it look easy. Maybe a slightly wider board will help you there...But I would not stress over it.