How do you choose your quiver?

[Carpark King]

Im heading off to Europe soon and I have my standard 6'1 shorty and am in the process of deciding on my 2nd board to take.

It got me thinking, should you select your boards for the type of waves that are expected at your location, or is it more practical to select your boards based on what type waves you want to be surfing..?

Common sense says that for France in Sep/Oct you should take a step up board say 6'3 x 18 1/4 x 2 1/4 rounded pin.

But the thing is I would prefer/opt and look to surf rippable waves up to about head high. And in saying so two hi-per shortys could be a better option..?

I know this is all subjective but right now im thinking of taking:

1. 6'1 x 18 1/2 x 2 3/16 rounded square
2. 6'1 x 18 3/8 x 2 1/4 swallow (back up)

[Jimi]

id go with the 6'3, or a 6'2, just something to assist paddling in the bigger stuff. If some bigger swell comes that you would love to have a crack at you'll be thankfull for a little more stick.
maybe a round tail, not pin or rounded pin, I reckon a 6'3 round tail would still go sick in the head high stuff

[Nick Carroll]

Forget common sense I say, go with your gut feeling for the waves you want to ride.

[philw]

sept - oct france will see a LOT of perfect amazing awesome rippable head high days.

it won't be 8ft and grinding all the time and if it gets bigger then go for a drive and find something more to your taste.

bon appetit ya lucky b'stard.