bit of newbie question i guess. I have only ever ridden a twin tip ocean and flat water. Dont have a prob with twin in small surf chop etc
What is more comfortable for longer downwinders etc twin or surfboard ?(obviously not wanting to pull flips n stuff the whole time)
If Surfboard is the answer what size do i buy, im 80kg ish
Surfboard for sure mate, twinnies are still fun but hard work because they just dont ride waves like surfboards do. Get an old hack to start of with if youve got one in the garage 5'11, 6'2 whatever. Run over reef/snap the nose on the beachie get a feel for it and then move onto a sweeter weapon if you choose. Plenty of blokes still rip on sh!tty old boards in the beachie. Then you'll know if you want bigger or smaller board depending on your skill and your beach. get the strapless (best to learn without straps i reckon, then you can ride anything)surfboard out on flat water first and get the toeside/heelside turns sussed and hit the beach, you'll never look back.
Get out there
thanks, do you rekon u can drive upwind better on surfboard or twin?
From the outside looking in the surfboard looks easier maybe(big fins i guess)
Whats the smallest board i should ride/aviod?
Surfboard.
Nail the gybes on flat water before hitting the surf. I found that I needed more power than expected while getting used to the surfboard as my technique wasn't as good. (I could get going upwind on a 129 before my 6ft surfboard) The other tip I'd give is to consider riding toeside on one tack to start with, lots of guys don't swap their back feet - I found it easier for learning and riding my first few 'surfboard' waves. Of course if your doing longer distances then being heel side is more comfortable and this comes naturally after a few sessions..
I have wanted to ride a surfboard in the surf for the last few years. Bought a 6' 4' traditional surfboard and as the last post needed more wind than a twin tip - I feel this is due to the considerable rocker a traditional surfboard has combined with my lack of skill.
In the last couple of months I have now nailed sufboard riding to an ok level in winds to 25kn in surf, switch feet and go toe side with no problems. Wave size is not a problem as I have kited in medium plus surf on a twin tip for a few years.
What has suddenly made the considerable improvement - well I have made 3 changes to equipment which has considerable helped my slow progress due to skill/confidence as follows:
1. I now ride Griffin Argo kites which made wave riding much easier especially down the line. (declaration - I am a Griffin supporter now)
2. Bought a sliding hook set up, this gave me extensive flexibility for toeside etc
3. Changed my surfboard to a purpose built Slingshot V2 6' 2" - this was the cream on the cake in regard to surfboards for kiting due to quad fin setup, flatter rocker and being slightly wider resulting in improved stability and planning while switiching feet. This board is possibly best kited strapless but I use just the front foot strap. The front foot strap helps me in many ways including just picking up the board, control while getting started and getting throught the surf - plus I get less damage/scratches on the board from hook/harness.
Conclusion: the combination of the above now motivates me to ride in the surf more on a surfboard than a twintip. Surfboard kiting/wave riding in the surf is easier than a twin tip and more fun once you get past the difficult stage.
Hope this helps
I will back you on that warick I surf it now as well as kite it kinda got me back surfing again
after about 6 years of hardly any paddle in. its surfs as good as it kites straped or unstraped after years of surfing singles & tri fins this 4 fin v2 rips just gets up and goes
i have had it in 0 to 6-8 foot so far so good, grip when you want it slide when you want it
anything 18 1/2" width should do it 
