Wakesurf board selection for small wave

[Ben1995Response]

Looking to purchase a wakesurf board that is compatible with a small wave (Malibu Response). I've searched for recommended boards in this category, and the Hyperlite Broadcast 5.4 is regularly mentioned as a great option. However, they are sold out everywhere. Any experience or input on a Byerly Speedster in the 5.2 length? Could a faster board help get more push out of a small wave?

[asp13]

Some good recommendations in this thread

 

[Raleigh]

Hyperlite landlock is a good option. Surprised you can surf at all on a response! Kudos to you

https://www.buywake.com/hyperlite-2021-landlock-5-9-wakesurfer

[MakeNWaves]

Slingshot wakesurf foil.  Small wave friendly.  If you can’t go ropeless, don’t go.  Foil will let you go ropeless.

[Ben1995Response]

40 minutes ago, MakeNWaves said:

Slingshot wakesurf foil.  Small wave friendly.  If you can’t go ropeless, don’t go.  Foil will let you go ropeless.

I've been hearing more and more about these foils...worth the $$$? Do they also work as well as they claim once the lake starts to get pretty chopped up? (At that point, I'm really just asking about riding a foil on a longer rope since Response + ballast is only for ideal conditions).

[PNWoke]

Yep.  All true.  But it’s a lot different than riding a reg board.  Not a direct translation anyway.  Tons of fun when you get the hang of it though! For good footage check out @spoiled_by_the_foil on IG.  Armstrong foils > all the rest.

[shawndoggy]

Chop is the foil's forte.  cuts through stuff like butter.  You know when you are surfing and you cross another wake or hit some chop and the wave goes all wonky and the surfboard bucks like a bronco?  The foil just glides through and you barely notice.  100% recommend the foil for a small wave.  They do apparently take a little skill tho... we've been bringing out a friend who has taken four sets (many MANY pulls during each set) and his best ride has been like 50 seconds.  And I'm just talking about standing up.  He's not even remotely close to surfing it.

gratuitous share

(2016 Axis T22 with 400 in lead in the walkway, no ballast, 3 adults in the boat, surfgate on, 12.6mph.  You might need to weight a response to get this wave, but not to insane levels, I don't think)

[Raleigh]

7 hours ago, shawndoggy said:

Chop is the foil's forte.  cuts through stuff like butter.  You know when you are surfing and you cross another wake or hit some chop and the wave goes all wonky and the surfboard bucks like a bronco?  The foil just glides through and you barely notice.  100% recommend the foil for a small wave.  They do apparently take a little skill tho... we've been bringing out a friend who has taken four sets (many MANY pulls during each set) and his best ride has been like 50 seconds.  And I'm just talking about standing up.  He's not even remotely close to surfing it.

gratuitous share

(2016 Axis T22 with 400 in lead in the walkway, no ballast, 3 adults in the boat, surfgate on, 12.6mph.  You might need to weight a response to get this wave, but not to insane levels, I don't think)

What foil size and setting # are you using? 

[shawndoggy]

I have the 76 and it’s set up full beginner (mast all the way back and wherever they tell you to mount the fuselage at first). 

[Hemmy]

5 minutes ago, shawndoggy said:

I have the 76 and it’s set up full beginner (mast all the way back and wherever they tell you to mount the fuselage at first). 

Are you able to get behind the main wave and ride?  I see a lot of the pro guys riding foils and riding them way back in that second tier.

[shawndoggy]

2 hours ago, Hemmy said:

Are you able to get behind the main wave and ride?  I see a lot of the pro guys riding foils and riding them way back in that second tier.

yes, but I haven't really done it much.  It's not as fun IMHO... not as much to "do."  I really enjoy how hard you can carve the board and the greater speed vs surfing.  Makes "regular" surfing feel really slow and limiting and makes the wave feel very constrained too.

[Ben1995Response]

nice video @shawndoggy Looks like I need to save up and get a foil..