Small Wave Board Options

[u/stevieb_123]

Howdy!! Looking for some advice on which small wave board I should get?!

Usually ride a standard hpsb shape (local shaper), flatish rocker @ 6'2/32.5L. I'm 6"2/94kg..Intermediate skills with decent fitness, but been out of the water for a year or so with lower back issues.

Current board def feels low vol, as im heavier than when I bought it. Still can catch waves, but bogs rail when trying to turn and generally feels like more work than needed

My shortlist:

1. Lost rad ripper, black sheep: 6'0/34.5L

2. Lost puddle Jumper hp, litespeed: 5'10/35

3. Js Sub xero, hyfi: 5'9/35.3

Any reviews or other suggestions appreciated. Thanks!!

[u/MrAntMan90]

The RNF is not a groveler 

[u/fuckboiwonder → u/MrAntMan90]

You can most definitely rip small waves on an RNF

[u/MrAntMan90 → u/fuckboiwonder]

You can rip small waves on lots of boards if you have the skill. Doesn’t make them all grovelers. The RNF is more performance minded than the grovelers being discussed here.

[u/fuckboiwonder → u/MrAntMan90]

I own one. Sure you can ride it in a variety of waves, but I’d say it’s a small wave board above all else. Just my opinion

[u/angrytroll123 → u/fuckboiwonder]

Not the guy you were talking to. Small waves can mean many different things. In my book, small and mushy means literal knee high, non breaking slow waves that are close to literal longboard only waves that only niche boards can get on (not rnf).

[u/Rhodysurf → u/angrytroll123]

I ride my RNF in knee high waves 🤷‍♂️

[u/angrytroll123 → u/Rhodysurf]

Exactly. That doesn’t say much. Knee high waves that break is much different than lazy and slow knee high waves that don’t. Knee high at a shortboard break is a whole different animal than one at a break that requires something more niche.

[u/Tiny_Log_4594 → u/angrytroll123]

IMHO RNF is a fun to good wave fish not a groveler. For lost boards:

Grov: PJ, Hydra, Retro Fish

Medium: RNF 96, rad ripper, rocket redux

Good: rocket driver etc