Shroom vs. Skate vs. performance longboard for soft mushy stuff

Which could catch waves earlier in a break when there are highly unpredictable mushy wave peaks,

The Sunova Shroom, 8/3, 8/7, which touts its superior speed under paddle power and glide into waves,
("WAVE CATCHING ABILITY: Even with your paddle turned upside down, it will glide into anything..")

or,

The Sunova Skate, 8/6, 8/10
("This fish proved to be a barrel machine, able to paddle in early, take fairly late drops, hold high and tight in the pocket and was snappy off the top. It wasn't long until he had refined the design to suit stand up surfers, and the fish design took off."
"Others just simply need something to spread out their quiver and give them something fun to ride when the waves are not quite appealing for their standard shorty.
Let's take a look at some of the variety of fish's you commonly see out in the water and what they can do for you.
For the most part, there are 3 common elements of a fish design that apply to the majority of the boards you see out there. Short, wide and thick. This gives you plenty of paddle power, planning ability, and keeps you surfing tight in the pocket--maybe not? These design elements make a fish the perfect board for those smaller, mushy days, as it'll will allow you to get into weaker waves with ease, and float right through flat sections. However, these boards can be extremely fun and functional in good quality waves and waves of size.")

or,

A performance longboard, Style, Stylemaster, Nalu Pro 10, New Deal, est. 10 foot long

Of sizes of comparable stability.

I have a stylmaster 10' & a hypernut 8'6.
No Sunova's or ever tried one.

Stability of the HP is far superior in mushy onshore waves, and catches waves fairly easy. The best part of the stability aspect is been able to get into position quickly, piviot turning.

The stylemaster is really nice in clean waves but tricky in bumpy mushy on shore waves. Facing the oncoming wave the turning to position for the peak can be tricky due to instability.

For me me the extra width and stability of the HP make it the go to board in mushy conditions.

I haven't tried all the Sunova boards, but since you asked which catches waves earlier, my answer is the the glide of the performance long board all day long. The more interesting question is once you catch the wave, which is more fun... I sold all my Surf SUPs except a 7'4 Hypernut and 9' Laird Surfer performance long board and on a small mushy day it is a toss-up. The longboard catches waves easier but the Tomo shape of the HN allows shredding on waves that you would just ride down the line on the longboard.

Hi Billekrub

All my feedback is based on you looking for a mushy wave board.

First... forget the 8'7 Shroom.... it is too big for you, judging from your other choices. The 8'3 Shroom is a fun board in smaller waves and worth considering. I have never had any problem catching waves on my 8'3 Skate and I am 109 kg.

After reading your posts, I would recommend the 8'10 Skate.

At 32" wide, I believe you will find it more stable than the 10 x 29 Surf at almost the exact same volume. I feel it actually catches waves easier than the longboard, because of the wide tail and low rocker and excellent paddle speed.

I have the 10'6 Surf, 9'2 Skate and 8'3 Shroom.
I ride the Skate most of the 3.
Stable, light, fast and really, really fun.
(check out my "Skate Park" video on it)

The Skate has a totally different style of surfing than the SURF, as discussed earlier, but noserides well and has a more performance feel to it.

If the board will have to handle, steep hollow waves then the Surf is the call, because the Skate's wide tail and lack of nose kick become problematic in suckier waves, IMO. The SURF is a ripper in all waves.

You can find video's on all these boards on my YouTube Channel.
but it won't let me link to the channel here.

I'll pimp the Shroom 8'3 or an 8'0 (I have both, the 8'3 is mine and the 8'0 is on loan)

Breaks near me are onshore crumble, 2-4ft most of the time. We get lumpy windblown chop too and a rip side/on current (sounds rubbish doesn't it, well it's not always like that or I'd move.. sometimes it's waist high glassy ramps too)

Creek knows his stuff and has offered his opinion, so I'd take that first.

But I'm going to offer up the 8'3 Shroom. It's a wide board and short (you'll see that on Sunovas site) but it's so stable and flickable and slashy when you want it to be. I've found quite a few things I like about it, in cross chop it just doesn't faze it, small shin high crumble and it'll surf it and turn on it, shoulder high and not curling it'll gather speed quickly enabling you to do something on the wave before you hit the pit so freeing up thinking time too, curly formed waves it kinda isn't keen unless you work hard at the drop at keeping the nose out of the drink but this means stomping on the tail and it'll squish and bob a bit because it's a wide tail so you'll have to set yourself up before committing to dropping in. Float, it has plenty but it's not corky.. it sits well in the water with some overlap wash on the rails. Paddles well and fairly quick for a wide board enabling you to quickly turn on the tail and dig for the next wave.. it's smooth and glides well and stable making up for badly placed feet and off balance torso's. The deck whilst looking a bit "odd" is perfectly formed for crumble riding, simply forget about it and move your back foot to steer it and it'll dig in and go wherever you want it too.. The fins (all 4) I think are a bit big, yes it's designed for crumble and you need that stability and drive but I like a looser tail so I've been playing with smaller rear fins (PCC7's out of my other Sunovas) and finding these to be a little more upright and a bit better at loosening it up...but... I'm back to the stock fins and happy with the turn and drive in the crumble.

Plenty of Stubbies out there to try, RRD Cotan and Fanatics Stubby and JP's Slate and Deeps Minion (can't get hold of Deep over here in the UK which is a real shame because I can see them being perfect for over here) all similar designs, so don't just go on the back of my opinion, try them out too.

But have to say, I love the Shroom.. it's just a helluva lot of fun.

All IMO, HTH's

Billiekrub,

initially you asked what caught waves 'earlier'...thats a longboard, no contest, if you are asking 'easier' then its probably an even call. Paddle speed is lower on a shorter/wider skate so when the wave approaches the wide tail it 'pushes' the board onto the wave- so you feel the sensation of speed, whereas the longboard's paddle speed is higher so you can glide onto waves earlier.

yes a longer, narrower skate would paddle faster...but 10' would be too long Imo.

A similar board to what you are imagining is the SIC Fish. Basically perfect for what you are asking right out of the box. 9'5" x 29.6" x 145L. I've ridden one, super stable, fast to paddle and skatey on a wave...or you could get Sunova to make a custom... ie. 8'10" x 30" x 145L...