THE SURFBOARD VOLUME EXPERIMENT. Should all of your surfboards be the same volume?

[@lawson45uk]

Duuuude. You have a Hydra in the exact same Size as I have on order 😱 sounds like it's a winner???? Great you are still finding it a good paddler at the lower volume. I have a RNF retro at a 6'2" as well and that is a pretty meaty board. Wasn't quite expecting that much volume that far up front but it does go really well still especially for big smooth carving turns 👍

[@CaseyTormollan]

Love the videos. Just stumbled across them. One thing you didn’t mention was the width. As a bigger guy myself I have always ridden boards a little smaller than what I “should” based on size. But abilities allowed me to surf smaller boards. The widths on a grovel board can make or break the board. Especially depending on how the bottom is shaped. For instance the FireWire baked potato. At 5’11 230 I ride it in a 5’3 @34.6 liters (if I can remember correctly). I have also ridden friends boards in the same board just in a 5’5 and the 5’7. With that deep double v through the tail the center acts like a pivot point. On the wider boards with more volume, you really feel it rock from rail to rail and it doesn’t move nearly as smoothly as you want it to. Dropping down to the narrower board you don’t feel it and you can surf the board that much better. It’s usually the width with the larger more volume type boards that make it not work well.

[@GoliathFins]

Some excellent points on width and bottom contours.

[@jimihendrixx11]

Thanks a lot. I’m thinking of getting a 5”8 Hydra. I’m at 100Kg or so. I think the lightest I get is like 90KG I don’t want a board that’s too long. Or big for harder duck diving or turns.

[@BangzHaus]

Hi Jimi, You're back!! I'm 100kg, 182cm with an athletic build and an athletic lifestyle. I'm 49yrs of age> I ride a FLYING FISH (EPS, Bamboo deck) from Surfboard Warehouse. 5'8", 22", 2 1/2", 39.1L. It's a big man's cheat board. The first day I rode it I was literally catching more waves than the kids! (12 to 15yr olds). On one wave the kids were in the way so I ended up just riding it like a bodyboard. A couple of the kids were laughing WITH me but I knew what we we're all thinking "The big older guy got the wave, could've stood up but chose not to." It's a blast of a board bro. It feels like a bodyboard that a big man can stand up on! Voodoo Chile forever in a Purple Haze!

[@netro4hoodie]

big homie, when can i see some surf videos? been dying to see you catch some waves and get better ideas of boards and techniques. Like always, good shit homie, keep up the awesome work!

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks. I'm working on getting some footage of me surfing. Its not easy as a one man band. Hopefully some Go Pro footage coming soon. And maybe footage of me on the wave......

[@stanshieh]

@@GoliathFins You can get a soloshot

[@GoliathFins]

@@stanshieh reviews are really bad. Especially for that money. I have a series of videos coming with footage of me surfing 👍

[@Californiansurfer]

Aipa big boy. I love this board, I am 230. Try it ❤❤❤. Downey California. Big boy board.

[@GoliathFins]

I'd like to get my hands on one

[@klaiejah]

I just got one - I’m same weight, mine’s 7’0. Great paddler! Only surfed it twice in gutless waves and still trying to work out fins…

[@SaadiHowell]

I use the hs1 large fins on the rnf retro makes the board easier to pivot

[@aldolaborin7470]

Check the js pony flying 6'0 45.7 L

[@juan4realz942]

Ty for the vid bro, always appreciate the info.

[@genomcnerney9673]

Yep I hear ya all too well my cuzin! Got a 6'2 44 l retro too big sold!... found a 6' 40 l retro on cl yep too big sold! Now do i even try for a 5'10 @ 37l idk guess it's all part of the fun but getting spendy now days

[@youdigsurf]

Im quite curious about the hydra !!! I would have taken it in carbon wrap tho, maybe it will be in libtech at one point who know, it's seem to be ultra wide, im intrigued about the hull bottom. You choosed a complicated subject, im experimenting with volume, bigger wave less volume feel sometime more secure as you are in the wave and not above, im trying to use my low volume for every conditions to get a feel for it and sometime im sucessfull, on beachbreak . Tho beachbreak have a lot of various factor to be able to anticipate the right board, either the shape or volume, i think it's more a combination of the two add the fins shape and setup with that and it's become extremely complicated. Usualy when it small i have more success with bigger vol and quad or twin and wide board and length = to my size or few centimer above 20cm above max , but once you pass the take off phase, they can hinder your performance. For bigger wave, once there white water Lower volume and thin width is more enjoyable for your whole body and joints to duckdive, tho length is a good way to secure the drop with the rail line, thruster help too with the hold, rounded ass really enjoyable too for the drop.

[@GoliathFins]

Some interesting points. There is definitely a lot to consider when looking at volume. Yes, the Hydra is wide, but it feels pretty good so far.

[@taradead]

I think you should show footage, even if only a snippet, of you surfing in all your videos...it would add some validity to your info. I looked and couldn't find any video of you surfing.

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks for the advice. I have some go pro clips on a couple of videos. I have also just fabricated a secure camera housing, which can be used at one of my local spots. I don't have the money to pay someone £100+ per session, to be filmed. There will be some footage coming soon. 👍

[@netaro1890]

I weight 97kgs I’m at intermediate level on the mid lengths. Should I be looking at a 41L fish?

[@GoliathFins]

Hi. Yes that sounds about right but you need to factor in ability and the waves you are riding. Do a search for 'surfboard volume calculator'. You input some info and get a recommended volume

[@netaro1890]

@@GoliathFins sure have, always wanting to get other opinions too. Stoked to find a channel where presenter is of my weight too, getting sick and tired of watching reviews where anything above a 5’4 is considered too big…

[@murphyclimbsrocks]

Good stuff! I usually surf at 5'10 ~27L, decided to purchase a 5'7 groveler (puddle jumper) yesterday at 31.5L, but it seems a tad oversized for me. Should've bought a groveler with similar volume as my daily driver.

[@GoliathFins]

Interesting. Yes, if you need volume for paddling, I definately think you can come down in volume with a grovel type board. The flat rocker and template contribute to paddle ability.

[@billyconnors2017]

How big are you I have the same board in 5’6

[@GoliathFins]

@@billyconnors2017 around 105kg

[@billyconnors2017]

BigGuyBoards Surfshop perfect that makes sense Bc I’m 75kg I’m riding a 31 liter

[@f1nleysumnr873]

Gowan scott😂💯

[@user-uu1ql5bf4v]

thanks

[@johnmedina5399]

How much does this guy weigh?

[@GoliathFins]

If you mean how much do I weigh, I'm around 105kg

[@ericthompson1482]

That fish in the review is a retro fish not a round nose really different boards the round nose is more high performance shape.

[@GoliathFins]

Its a Round Nose Fish Retro. I didn't include the 'Retro' bit in the video. I'm sure most people will realize which RNF model it is. the original RNF is over 20 years old!!! But thanks for pointing that out and well spotted.

[@ericthompson1482]

Big Guy Boards Surfboard Review thanks for replying really like the channel have a good one 6am in California off to go get some

[@GoliathFins]

@@ericthompson1482 Nice one. Thanks. Have a good surf. There has been no waves for weeks here.

[@cloud84strife]

I never use the same volume. On very small wave I have a groveler with more lts than the one I use on good days!

[@Xcolombox1]

how big are you dude

[@GoliathFins]

Currently about 115kg

[@Xcolombox1]

@@GoliathFins thx for reply and video. I picked up a Lost hydra today!

[@GoliathFins]

@@Xcolombox1 that's a good board

[@MACtic1]

You compared two boards that differ in length by just 2 inches. You would get better results with more difference in length.

[@GoliathFins]

Thanks for your comment. The video is meant to highlight the difference in two boards of similar length and volume. My point in the video is that you can adjust relative volume and therefore length and achieve similar results when paddling and maintaining speed. I'm sorry if this didn't come across in the video for you.

[@GoliathFins]

I compared the Hydra to the Uber XL at the end of the video. that is 5 inches and nearly 4 liters volume difference. What would you suggest that i compare in future videos?