Second foil board - how low can I go?

Hi all,
I am after some advice please. I have been SUP foiling for nearly 2 years. I would class myself as intermediate. Getting ling rides comfortably but not able to pump to join waves, only pumping is to ride through flatter sections of the waves.

Below is a video which pretty much sums up my standard at the moment. I love it and very keen to get better.

I started out on a 7ft 5" board. I am now on a 6ft 9" gong zuma. This is 130 litre, about 10kg. Much more than I need as my usual surf sup is 120 litre. It is very stable at 31" wide. I weigh 83kg. Gong have brought out a new range of sup foils and I am keen to downsize and get something a bit lighter from their newer models. I don't have a chance to try them before buying and keen to stick with them.

Choices are:
6ft 6" zuma 120 litre, 8kg
6ft 3" zuma 105 litre 7.5kg
5ft 10" flint 135 litre 7.5 kg
5ft 8" flint 110 litre 7kg

6ft 6" is probably the safest bet but not that different to my current board. 10 litre less but 2kg lighter which is quite a bit.

6ft 3" sounds appealing but worried a little about 105 litre. Will I manage at 83kg.

The 5ft 10" has more volume than my current board. Could feel corky but it is really light and I read that short feels great. It is 30" wide. Will I be ok on such a short board?

5ft 8" has an appealing volume but is over a foot shorter than my current ride.

I know most of you are very experienced. If you had time to post an opinion I would be really grateful.

Thanks,

James

I'm going through the same drama as you (about 6 months foiling) and around the same weight but my water time is limited at once a week most times. My opinion would be either these two and wish I could access the gong brand here in OZ as the price is so competitive.

6ft 6" zuma 120 litre, 8kg

5ft 10" flint 135 litre 7.5 kg

Go straight to the bottom of your list 5ft 8" flint 110 litre 7kg , you don't want a 30" wide board. 27" is way better and the 3kg weight saving will feel incredible along with the massively reduced swing weight. Just bite the bullet and go for it you will never look back. Your riding will improve in days not weeks and months on a bigger board , plus you will be able to ride smaller higher aspect wings. There is plenty of volume to float you and the foil acts like a keel for stability you wont miss the width in the board , your paddle speed will increase and yawing reduced , plus on touch downs you will feel the board push straight back up and not suck down. Pumping will be so much easier and you'll be amazed at the speed difference in flight with a much smaller lighter board. You have plenty of foil time under your feet and foiling really well, go for it......

Hi nesup
I was making the same decision as you a couple of months ago. Dropping down from a 6'9 Zuma after 160 sessions at 84kg. At the time Gong had not released their new boards so went for a 6'0 Naish Hover 110. The board took a few sessions to get dialled in but I am now feeling much more confident on it. Loving the reduced weight and length, which is very noticeable. I am now able to get a similar wave count to the Zuma. It is more testing in chop and I will still occasionally ride the Zuma in extreme chop and bigger waves. Don't think I could go lower in volume at present with my skills. I really like the look of the new Gong boards and am tempted by the 5'8 Flint and may invest. The new 6'6 Zuma looks ideal but it is only a small size drop from the 6'9. Like you I wonder if the 5'10 Flint may be a bit corky. I am in Scotland at present but may be passing through Sunderland on my way home later in the week with the Naish. PM me if you want to have a trial paddle.

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JEG said..
I'm going through the same drama as you (about 6 months foiling) and around the same weight but my water time is limited at once a week most times. My opinion would be either these two and wish I could access the gong brand here in OZ as the price is so competitive.

6ft 6" zuma 120 litre, 8kg

5ft 10" flint 135 litre 7.5 kg

Thanks JEG. It is a difficult one for sure. Shame it is difficult to access GONG in OZ. Prices are very good and the boards are really nice.

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Piros said..
Go straight to the bottom of your list 5ft 8" flint 110 litre 7kg , you don't want a 30" wide board. 27" is way better and the 3kg weight saving will feel incredible along with the massively reduced swing weight. Just bite the bullet and go for it you will never look back. Your riding will improve in days not weeks and months on a bigger board , plus you will be able to ride smaller higher aspect wings. There is plenty of volume to float you and the foil acts like a keel for stability you wont miss the width in the board , your paddle speed will increase and yawing reduced , plus on touch downs you will feel the board push straight back up and not suck down. Pumping will be so much easier and you'll be amazed at the speed difference in flight with a much smaller lighter board. You have plenty of foil time under your feet and foiling really well, go for it......

Thanks for taking the time out to give such a detailed reply. Your experience and input is great. The 5ft 8" sure is tempting. They have just sold out of the first drop of 5ft 8" and the 5ft 10" flint on their site but you can pre-order them for the end of March. It gives me a little more time to think about it but they are going fast.

I have pm'd you nesup