The 2016 Guide To Step-Up Boards For Bigger Waves
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Cover photo by Jackson O'Brien
WELCOME TO THE 2016 STEP-UP BOARD GUIDE
A step-up surfboard is also referred to as a semi-gun. It comes out when your regular board is feeling a little bit loose and skatie and you need something a little bit bigger to handle the speed and power of the wave.
When looking for a good step-up you’re looking for a board that provides you with greater control, not speed. The waves you’ll be riding will give you all the speed you need so your step-up should help you harness that and allow you to make big powerful maneuvers or steady barrel rides.
SEE ALSO: The Essential Board Bag Guide For Surf Travel
Tim recommends that when looking into what to buy you should choose for your ability, you want more volume than you’re usually riding and with the length you generally add an extra 2-3 inches to your regular all-rounder or high-performance board.
Some shapers and board store owners recommend you stick with same brand board so you have the familiarity, that makes the transition between your all-rounder and step-up smooth. Others believe that different brands provide slightly different adjustments and specialties for the bigger sizes. If in doubt drop into your local board store and have a chat about what the best options are for your surfing and the waves you’ll be riding.
After talking to a number of the top surfboard stores around the country, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular and recommended step-up shapes available;
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