BUYING A NEW SHORTBOARD

[lachy]

Hi all,
Sorry for yet another post under this topic of buying a new board but would appreciate a bit of advice!
I have surfed for 20 years on and off and know my way round a wave most days. I have been riding a 6´1, 17 3/4 , 2 1/8 thruster. Goes fine above 4ft, super fast but a bit of a bugger when its smaller than that.
Have just moved to Byron Bay (australia) up the coast from where i normally surf. waves here are much less powerful, typically 2-4 and a bit fat.
Want to get another board (I am 33 years old, 145lbs, 5´10´´), want to try a quad, a guy was trying to sell me a 5´6´´ ,19 3/4, 2 5/8 board today. its very flat, hardly any rocker, glass board, swallow tail. Just seems a bit small, but i dont really know how these new boards go in these smaller fatter waves here.
Thanks for any advice!

[IB_Surfer]

I'm not sure how much you weigh but it sounds about the right difference for a disc.

At 200lbs I surf a 6'5 shortboard but my disc is 6'0, the shorteness is made up by the flat rocker with extra width and thickness.

5'6 does sound a little short, but probably not if you only weigh like 135lbs

[lachy]

Thanks mathteacher! I weigh 143lbs. Do you think there is much difference in wave catching ability and performance between a 5 foot 6 board and a 5 foot 10 (of the same design)?Thanks!

[IB_Surfer]

Definitietly, if you have two of the same boards but in different lengths, the longer one catches waves easier. As a begginer, I didn't go down 7 inches at time, usually 2 or 3 at most, but yeah the discs are meant to be 4 to 6 inches shorter, but depending on your ability too.

I would say if you intermediate to advanced the 5'6 is perfect, if not go with a bigger board.

Lastly, if 5'6 seems too short it probably is, seems you are looking for a reason to get it. Try to borrow one from someone or rent one at a shop so you can know for sure if too small.

[lachy]

ta thanks for your help. just thought id let you know that i ended up getting it and it goes like a absolute rocket!turns incredibly easier though a bit skiddy on big cutbacks, otherwise a great little board! cheers