Begginer strapless surf board - North nugget, airush mini monster, firewire evo or suggestions

[Slappysan]

Interesting, that's a whole new shape.

[icedub]

While I haven't actually tried the Performer 5-6, I ride the Performer 4-10 pretty much all the time. I'm only 75 kg though. Another option would be the Odysea Stump 5-0 or RNF 5-5 but the Catch! Surf boards use triple stringers and are a bit heavier than the Wave Bandit ones. A big plus to the Stump 5-0, Skipper 5-6, and RNF 5-5 is that you can prone surf them too, the Performer 4-10 is only proneable for smaller people or super elite surfers like Ben Gravy.

What I love about my Performer 4-10 is that it only weighs 6 lbs and surfs like a champ. Strapless airs in 12 knots. All that for $150.

Glad I found this thread. I've been kiting for 4 years, just tried strapless this summer on a Shinnster copy that I built and am loving it! I'm also light weight (about 60kg), so the Performer 4'10" seems like a no brainer. Question: Do you ride it with the twin fin setup or have you somehow made it into a thruster?

[NorCalNomad]

Evo or Nugget
Nugget edges out the Evo just a bit for really low wind riding, but the Evo will progress with you better if you do go into any sort of wave (even small stuff) or strapless tricks.

AND/OR

Just buy a cheap (sub $125) shortboard off of craiglist (or the equivelent) and ride it into the ground, then get something nice.

[Slappysan]

Glad I found this thread. I've been kiting for 4 years, just tried strapless this summer on a Shinnster copy that I built and am loving it! I'm also light weight (about 60kg), so the Performer 4'10" seems like a no brainer. Question: Do you ride it with the twin fin setup or have you somehow made it into a thruster?

It rides perfectly as a twin, no need to mess around.


https://youtu.be/gkzE7cjqScg

[icedub]

Glad I found this thread. I've been kiting for 4 years, just tried strapless this summer on a Shinnster copy that I built and am loving it! I'm also light weight (about 60kg), so the Performer 4'10" seems like a no brainer. Question: Do you ride it with the twin fin setup or have you somehow made it into a thruster?

It rides perfectly as a twin, no need to mess around.


https://youtu.be/gkzE7cjqScg

Cool. I'm wanting to branch out past the shinnster because I realize that it edges like a TT, and I want to get more of that surf board feel.. grippy carving, relying on the fins more than the edge. Local spot is a lake (small waves, lotsa chop). Do you think it the WB checks all those boxes?

[r33f]

Nobody's mentioned Naish Custom LE - a reinforced PU surfboard. Don't they make them anymore?

[Slappysan]

Cool. I'm wanting to branch out past the shinnster because I realize that it edges like a TT, and I want to get more of that surf board feel.. grippy carving, relying on the fins more than the edge. Local spot is a lake (small waves, lotsa chop). Do you think it the WB checks all those boxes?

The Wave Bandit is fantastic in any conditions and would be hella fun on your choppy lake for sure.

If $$$ isn't an issue though you might want to get an OR Jester (or Duke if you are heavier) as they are terrific lake boards and with 5 fin boxes you have loads of options for fins. I will warn you though that I sold my OR Jester after discovering the joys of the Wave Bandit.

[icedub]

If $$$ isn't an issue though you might want to get an OR Jester (or Duke if you are heavier) as they are terrific lake boards and with 5 fin boxes you have loads of options for fins. I will warn you though that I sold my OR Jester after discovering the joys of the Wave Bandit.

I wouldn't say I'm cheap, but $1,000 vs $149... I know I am loving strapless but I don't know quite what I want *enough* to justify that kind of coin. Wave Bandit it is.. except that now all of the colors are out of stock on Amazon .

Have you ridden the Stump 5'0"? It's a bit more pricey but comes as a thruster and in more color options. Also, saw somewhere else that you found the Storm Blade to be an alternative. Are they truly the same board?

[jespin4845]

plus one for the wave bandit!!

or storm blade 58 on amazon, essentially same board, have yet the break mine and do stupid stuff all the time on it

haven't used my real surfboard in a while, strapless airs are really easy and the soft board is very forgiving on hard landings

[icedub]

plus one for the wave bandit!!

or storm blade 58 on amazon, essentially same board, have yet the break mine and do stupid stuff all the time on it

haven't used my real surfboard in a while, strapless airs are really easy and the soft board is very forgiving on hard landings

Nice! My last concern about the WB is the upwind capability with just two little fins. How does it compare to your regular surf board in that regard?