2 Boards I am considering to follow my new found noseriding obsession. I will keep my Performance 9ft longboard which can perform in bigger waves. The new board is for small to medium-small sized waves which are mainly beach breaks which can be fast but sometimes fat. The dimensions are JL - 9'6 28.5" 117L AND Gong soul 9'4 28 5/16" 125L. I'm 77kgs and have been riding a hypernut 106L 7'4 and Gong Zero 9' 29.5 115L.

The Gong is described as suitable in small fast waves and the JL it doesnt really say the best conditions. Id like the board to be able to handle some quick beach 2 to 3ft waves as well as some mellow fatter waves. It will be used in pretty much clean conditions as when its windy I foil. I havnt got enough longboard experience to gauge which of these 2 boards will work best for me and my conditions. Has anyone got any input?

I like the the JL is only 117L rather than Gongs at 125L as at 117L as for my 77kgs thats still generous.

Thanks

I have the older 9'6" as seen in the photo. Brilliant classic 60's nose rider. I love it. Thin 50-50 rails, cracker of a nose concave and big square tail. I run it with a 10" dolphin fin, not the hatchet that came with it. Great paddle on, sweeping bottom turn and run to the nose and trim. That's it.

IMO NO,the B AND B NOSERIDER IS ALL ABOUT DRAG and I found it to be the slowest paddling board I have ever had ,but boy did it noseride !(it's not an all rounder) it's a specific nose game board,

For the Gong noseriders: (I have not tested the JL)

- The Soul is designed for fast waves: the nose is streamlined so that it can keep up with fast sections while one the nose. On slower waves, you may have to work the board a bit to not go too far on the shoulder

- The Neverstick kind of "locks" in the curl and stay there, not wanting to zip to the shoulder. The ultimate retro ride.

- The NFA is a kind of hydrid "do everything" noserider shape.

- The Zero is able to handle power, speed and hollow waves. In slow waves it may feel less lively. I have one and it works wonders for the fast Hossegor beachbreaks, but the NFA would better for waves less than chest high.

To give you an idea, on the nose the Soul will have a bit the behavior of your Zero: fast with no drag keeping you in the curl. The difference is that the Zero is designed to work at speed and handle hollower and bigger waves, where the soul, with its wider tail and curve in the hip, is easier to turn from the tail in slow waves without bogging down.

I would say that if you feel that your Zero is sometime too fast, and would like to stay more in the curl, get a Neverstick. If you like how on the nose your Zero is still able to make fast sections, get a Soul. If you want to have only one board, and are not sure of which one, get a NFA. Soul and Neverstick will be easier to learn cross-steeping on than the Zero, which is more lively underfoot and feel less stable in the wave

I've the 10'1 BnB and agee with the above as to it's specific and unique character, its all about time up front. Loves the high line. On steep take offs flick it sideways ,go to the nose and stay high, it just holds...
As a single fin for your Zero, for fun beachy runner nosey's on 8'6 Spacepickle this Cutaway D fin foe me has hold n drag yet flicks out quick...awesome fun..