Biggest Wave Ever Surfed

Ermis Anargyros Avgoustidis says:

Hi, im a kitesurfer 85 kg on twin tip and i want a vader to learn strapless, can you help me withe size? Also which tech to choose? Lft or fst?

Martin Buhr says:

remind me again how big you are? I have the opportunity to pick up one of these (actually, a 6'1" 43.5L just like yours), and I'm 6'5" 215lbs

Mark Yoshida says:

Kinda confused about how to choose these boards? My reg board of choice is the CI Pod 5'8" 2 1/4 19 7/8. I'm about 5'5 138lb do you have any advice on what to get. Been surfing for about 25 yrs.

Justin Osburn says:

I personally wouldn't recommend going up in size, you want to ride these around the same volume/CL as your high performance shortboard…its designed to be smaller and fit well in the pocket of the wave…if you size it right the thing rides like a skateboard and is nothing short of amazing. Going up in liters probably means that you're going up in length which is giving you more rail line…the rail lines are parallel and long for their size.  For example I ride my boards around 28CL…I ride a Vader in a 5'3" and have a CI Bunny Chow in a 5'10", both are 28 CL and have about the same length of rail line….just my 2 cents and hope that helps folks with sizing.

coleberr says:

Hey Benny thanks for all the info and reviews,

Trying to make a decision between 6' Nano FST and 6' Vader LFT, I'm a passable surfer but have been spending a bunch of time on mini-mals lately just because they have proved more fun than my 6'4" whip (33.5L). Would like to get back on a fun all around short-board and the tomos seem like they would push me a bit which I like. I'm 6'4" 200lbs and my considerations are:
-Durability of LFT vs FST, I doubt my riding abilities would be enough to warrant the LFT and it seems the FST has a bit more durability especially with the balsa rails
– Displacement and stance width, I know the Nano places rocker transition, wide point, and center of mass forward of center which makes me a little nervous 
– Versatility as I will be attempting to make this my all arounder and will be handling my fair share of mooshy beach breaks and rippy Ocean Beach SF

Your thoughts would be much appreciated on the pros cons directly between the two
Thanks

Brian Davies says:

Weird, every other outlet is saying to go smaller on dims than you normally would. How much do you weigh Benny? You don't look that big to be on a 6'1"? I heard these were originally designed to be ridden at chin height or so unless you're abnormally skinny or heavy. Just curious as I've been wanting to try one. But 1t 6'0" 195 I would aim for the 5'6"