riding the swell; whats better directional or twin tip??

apctjb · Since 19 Aug 2007 440 Posts Obsessed

Been watching riders on the swell in front of the WS bridge; seems like the majority that are really ripping it up are on directionals but still a few on twin tips.

Are directionals really that much better for riding the swell in the gorge? Are there any surf specific twin tips (like the SS Fuse or OR Mako) that can match a directional for riding swell?

Is it just a matter of personal taste or is there really a big difference between riding swell on a twin tip verses a directional? Question

Is either better on your knees?

tstansbury · Since 06 Jun 2006 649 Posts Rowena and P.C Addicted

I just hurt my knee and have been rideing a strapless directional it really is the best way to attack the swell.

lawnmower · Since 14 Dec 2007 153 Posts Stoked

To ride down swell you have to be able to get upwind. Riding a directional toe side to heal side with no gibe restricts the amount of upwindage on the toe side reach. This brings me back to the gibe thing. I'm either walking off the nose or tail of the board. It seems like you have to have the balance of a cat to get it done, or is this one of those try it 5000 times and you will get it things.

jbruxer · Since 24 Jul 2005 398 Posts Beaverton, OR Obsessed

Not that I'm an expert on this subject as I have not ridden anything other than a TT, but I would say that when riding in the swell, the best I can do is "manage". With the short tips and inability to position your feet (okay, limited foot positioning) TT's are not the best.

But it all depends though. Do you want to be out just riding swell? If so, a strapless (or straped) surf style board will probably suit you better. But, if you just want to go hit a few swells in between freeride/freestyle, a TT should work fine.
....or, go for something like a fuse.

pdxmonkeyboy · Tue Jul 08, 08 9:47 am

The fuse works pretty well. I have been having more trouble depowering my kite completely that actually getting a little push from the swell.

When I carve on the face and head down wind, my kite raises to the top of the window and as I go down the swell, it always starts tugging on my. I guess I should drop it farther in the window?

magicmaker · Since 29 Oct 2006 895 Posts da Hood Opinionated

personally, i like to ride my 5'11" for 6'2" surfboard in the swell. having a such a bigger board lets me rig a much much smaller kite, almost always the 7m Rev when i am on my surfboard, from 15 - 35mph wind. anyway, smaller kite == more depower == more ability to ride the swell. a small kite is also easier to fly unhooked and turn with one arm.

if you can learn to jibe on a strapped surfboard, then going strapless is pretty easy. i prefer the surfboard over the fuse or other directional because it seems like you have soooooo much more freedom riding without straps. Personally, and this may be a somewhat conceded opinion, but i think the fuse is just another step up hte learning curve before you are able to ride a surfboard.

once you get good at jibing you will be able to jibe and not loose very much ground downwind. What i've been working on is jibing the board while i actually have a little power in the kite. this way, i can lean back against hte power of hte kite while moving one foot, and the other foot has pressure holding it to the board, this can be done while turning or after you finish your turn. and i find it makes for a really fast jibe. one of the things i love most about the surfboard is being able to ride heelside as i apporach a big swell, then jibe toeside really quick right before catching up to the swell or dropping in on it. surfboards are also a lot more slashy and quick to turn than the fuse, IMO.

also, this doesn't matter as much in teh swell, but when you're going out over a 3 - 5 foot wave, it sure helps a whole helluva lot to have a nice floaty surfboard with a tip that will help you get up and out over the wave. i know the fuse is a fairly big board, but have never ridden it out over waves in teh ocean like i have my surfboard. i just dont think it would have quite as much float while trying to make it out over the break.

Tracy- sorry to hear about hte injury, but i bet you'll get really good at riding strapless.

-Adam