2 Boards I am considering to follow my new found noseriding obsession. I will keep my Performance 9ft longboard which can perform in bigger waves. The new board is for small to medium-small sized waves which are mainly beach breaks which can be fast but sometimes fat. The dimensions are JL - 9'6 28.5" 117L AND Gong soul 9'4 28 5/16" 125L. I'm 77kgs and have been riding a hypernut 106L 7'4 and Gong Zero 9' 29.5 115L.
The Gong is described as suitable in small fast waves and the JL it doesnt really say the best conditions. Id like the board to be able to handle some quick beach 2 to 3ft waves as well as some mellow fatter waves. It will be used in pretty much clean conditions as when its windy I foil. I havnt got enough longboard experience to gauge which of these 2 boards will work best for me and my conditions. Has anyone got any input?
I like the the JL is only 117L rather than Gongs at 125L as at 117L as for my 77kgs thats still generous.
Thanks
Interesting on the Black and Blue - "This board it has been update on 2020 by Jimmy." Continuing with that description of the Black and Blue, "A newer tail /nose kick square outline is a classic 60's style parallel railed template with some hips in the tail for those smooth rolling turns and cutbacks. The board comes in flat nose for "lifting" nose rides stylish." < That is from an EU distributer, I believe.
I have the 10'1" B&B from before the "update" - mine does not have the square nose outline shown in the picture.
Mine also is not flat on the bottom but has the concave or scoop.
I note that the United States Jimmy Lewis site does not show the square nose nor talk about the update.
It will be interesting to hear how the "updated version" surfs - maybe it is easier to get toes over the nose.
As far as mine, the 10'1" earlier version which is 164 liters so quite a bit larger than the board you are looking at (I'm about 90kg), I would say my B&B board is best in point break conditions. It will take size which surprised me. As long as the waves aren't too fast I'm comfortable on it. It is amazing how well it turns - it has quite a lot of tail rocker. In faster waves, I usually use my Pearson Laird high performance noserider.
I have the older 9'6" as seen in the photo. Brilliant classic 60's nose rider. I love it. Thin 50-50 rails, cracker of a nose concave and big square tail. I run it with a 10" dolphin fin, not the hatchet that came with it. Great paddle on, sweeping bottom turn and run to the nose and trim. That's it.
Select to expand quoteTBM said..
I have the older 9'6" as seen in the photo. Brilliant classic 60's nose rider. I love it. Thin 50-50 rails, cracker of a nose concave and big square tail. I run it with a 10" dolphin fin, not the hatchet that came with it. Great paddle on, sweeping bottom turn and run to the nose and trim. That's it.
Sweet, that's what I want it to do..
My only 2 concerns with the B&B is I don't want it to be just for tiny waves, what size is it good until its unruly? Also some of my breaks can be quick, not sucky quick but racy. On the nose does it generate the pace for quicker waves? ..
Thanks for the input..
IMO NO,the B AND B NOSERIDER IS ALL ABOUT DRAG and I found it to be the slowest paddling board I have ever had ,but boy did it noseride !(it's not an all rounder) it's a specific nose game board,
I agree with justaddwater, it is not al all rounder. In my experience with the 9'6" B&B is that it paddles on well, allowing me to get on early, bottom turn and take a few steps forward to the flat section of the rocker and it takes off. This is great for those faster waves, you can get ahead of the curl, stay in the trim zone, and it will power through. Bare in mind, it is a very traditional longboard shape and will take time to get used to. 50-50 rails can be a little difficult to get used to if you do not have experience with traditional longboards. I have also have a Sunova Style 10 x 29 and it is easier to ride and very forgiving. It also has performance attributes so more versatile but does not nose ride or have the same glide as the B & B. But the B & B is really for traditional riding. I can not fault it. Again, if you after traditional riding, this is the board. If you want more versatility for varying conditions, breaks and riding, then something else maybe better. Of course, this is my experience and everyone is different.
Good luck with your search
For the Gong noseriders: (I have not tested the JL)
- The Soul is designed for fast waves: the nose is streamlined so that it can keep up with fast sections while one the nose. On slower waves, you may have to work the board a bit to not go too far on the shoulder
- The Neverstick kind of "locks" in the curl and stay there, not wanting to zip to the shoulder. The ultimate retro ride.
- The NFA is a kind of hydrid "do everything" noserider shape.
- The Zero is able to handle power, speed and hollow waves. In slow waves it may feel less lively. I have one and it works wonders for the fast Hossegor beachbreaks, but the NFA would better for waves less than chest high.
To give you an idea, on the nose the Soul will have a bit the behavior of your Zero: fast with no drag keeping you in the curl. The difference is that the Zero is designed to work at speed and handle hollower and bigger waves, where the soul, with its wider tail and curve in the hip, is easier to turn from the tail in slow waves without bogging down.
I would say that if you feel that your Zero is sometime too fast, and would like to stay more in the curl, get a Neverstick. If you like how on the nose your Zero is still able to make fast sections, get a Soul. If you want to have only one board, and are not sure of which one, get a NFA. Soul and Neverstick will be easier to learn cross-steeping on than the Zero, which is more lively underfoot and feel less stable in the wave
Select to expand quotecolas said..
For the Gong noseriders: (I have not tested the JL)
- The Soul is designed for fast waves: the nose is streamlined so that it can keep up with fast sections while one the nose. On slower waves, you may have to work the board a bit to not go too far on the shoulder
- The Neverstick kind of "locks" in the curl and stay there, not wanting to zip to the shoulder. The ultimate retro ride.
- The NFA is a kind of hydrid "do everything" noserider shape.
- The Zero is able to handle power, speed and hollow waves. In slow waves it may feel less lively. I have one and it works wonders for the fast Hossegor beachbreaks, but the NFA would better for waves less than chest high.
To give you an idea, on the nose the Soul will have a bit the behavior of your Zero: fast with no drag keeping you in the curl. The difference is that the Zero is designed to work at speed and handle hollower and bigger waves, where the soul, with its wider tail and curve in the hip, is easier to turn from the tail in slow waves without bogging down.
I would say that if you feel that your Zero is sometime too fast, and would like to stay more in the curl, get a Neverstick. If you like how on the nose your Zero is still able to make fast sections, get a Soul. If you want to have only one board, and are not sure of which one, get a NFA. Soul and Neverstick will be easier to learn cross-steeping on than the Zero, which is more lively underfoot and feel less stable in the wave
Colas, I may perserve with my Zero and try and find some more hold (noseriding) with a bigger centre fin. I'm running Quobba Mediums as a thruster. If I leave my side Quobbas in any suggestion on what size centre Fin? Any good suggestions for a nice Fin for this?
I've the 10'1 BnB and agee with the above as to it's specific and unique character, its all about time up front. Loves the high line. On steep take offs flick it sideways ,go to the nose and stay high, it just holds...
As a single fin for your Zero, for fun beachy runner nosey's on 8'6 Spacepickle this Cutaway D fin foe me has hold n drag yet flicks out quick...awesome fun..
Select to expand quoteIanInca said..
Colas, I may perserve with my Zero and try and find some more hold (noseriding) with a bigger centre fin. I'm running Quobba Mediums as a thruster. If I leave my side Quobbas in any suggestion on what size centre Fin? Any good suggestions for a nice Fin for this?
I would go single and ditch the side fins, to get a better feel of the board. I feel that side fins kind of "choke" the single fin, while the big centre fin prevents using the side fins by pushing on them.
On the other hand, keeping the side fins may be beneficial to slow the Zero that may noseride better with less speed in your waves...
For noseriding, 10" is a nice size.
A "hatchet" outline is I guess the most adapted to noseriding, like www.trueames.com/collections/single-fins-1/products/heritage-nosrider-single-fin
Tons of hold without the huge stiffness a "D" fin has like www.trueames.com/collections/single-fins-1/products/d-2-fin
More curve in the edge, and a thinner tip will help with modern turns (on the rail) at the expense of some hold in noseriding. A compromise. For instance :
www.trueames.com/collections/single-fins-1/products/slick-noserider-surf-fin
www.trueames.com/collections/single-fins-1/products/velzy-classic-single-fin
The cutaway fins are quite specific, they are good as they provide hold (the surface is deeper in the water) for less drag (less surface close to the board), but have a lot of roll leverage on the board, so I think they are more technical to use well. I would advise not getting one as your first single fin.
A system to be able to move the fin easily is a big plus, to experiment. Either built-in (FCS tool-less) or with a finjak.
(I used the True Ames site for examples. Plenty of other brands make nice fins)
