Kinda wish I would of had a LB over the holiday. Waves were mostly closely, but might of been able to slide into a few more corners. Really the only time I want a LB is when I am over with my fam where I am not planning around swell and conditions. Had a 9' Takayama on loan for a while that was good for that, but buddy took it back. Def would have one if I still lived coastal, but no interest rn. I don't just surf in the summer either, usually 1-4 times a week all year round. You mention hiking a LB down to Shorties, a hike I mostly avoid anyways, but would be interesting with LB.
Age is just a number IMO, but I've been upping length and volume on all my boards. At one point I was riding a 5'6" Superbuzz, but my new small wave fish is 5'11". Not sure I'd go any smaller than a 5'10" x 20"+, 2.75"+or- these days. My fishes and mid surf pretty much anything I bother driving for. Maybe LB in 5 or so years. Currently 5"9' quad fish (soon to be retired to my folks place back in the ocean state), 5'11" twiny fish, 5'11" chunky 80's style squash SB (kinda regret not going 6'0 on this board TBH, next SB will be a 6'1" or 6"2" Pyzalien or similar swallow tail DD design) 6'3" stock Ghost (upping to stock 6'4"), 7'1' HP Egg aka Midlenghth, and soon to order unless something pops up on used market 7' or 7'2" "fun gun" similar to Holy Moly or M23.