The “big guy tri” has been around for decades. It’s what I learned on!
A 6’8" - about 20" wide - and probably 2 1/2" thick thruster from Spectrum Surfboards in Florida, back in 1990 was the absolute best option for me.
If you are a beginner, young, strong, and – like I was – a devout skateboarder (and oddly enough a competitive swimmer) you may have the frame and reaction time to ride a Big Guy Tri. They’re stable, floaty and capable of giving you a head start if you have what it takes to stay away from an egg or longboard. I was used to doing kickflips, airs, and going really fast skating. Coupled with good paddle strength that I had at the time, this may be the shape to learn on.
The shape is just a big version of a modern shortboard. It is a meat and potatoes shape with no extras, except a really good dose of tail rocker. The single to triple concave with standard fin placement shape is an excellent all around board.
It’s good for a capable beginner, a transitioning (no not that kind) surfer from an egg or even bigger thruster – a 7’0" or 7’2" is actually surprisingly maneuverable while still being easy to paddle and stand up. The key is in the flat entry rocker, full round rail, full hip, and liberal (again not that kind) VOLUME I leave in these.
It’s an all around favorite at breaks around the world on small to average days. The round squash (or a thumbtail) completes this package. A somewhat forgiving rail bevel and a choice of running a larger fin (4.75" or bigger with a large fin base) gives bigger guys who surf well or beginners and secondary phase guys learning, who have basic skills the option to escape that FISH or EGG you don’t want to ride anymore – at least most of the time.