Advice needed. Longboard to Fish. Graduation Day?

[cvheifner]

Hi,

I'm looking to graduate to a Walden Fish (6'6" X 23" X 3") from a longboard and need your advice. Here is my story...

I've been surfing for about one and a half years, so you can definitely categorize me as a newbie. Currently, I own a 9' Stewart Hydro Hull (EPS). It obviously paddles like a dream, but it all around feels too large for me to handle. FYI, I'm 5'10" and weigh 155lb. I'm able to get the board past the beach-breaks, but it's rather difficult and awkward to do so. Once a wave picks me up, I often find myself sliding the board forward (out from underneath me) and ditching the wave because the board feels like it's going to pearl. Maybe the waves are just too steep for it (2' - 6' waves). When I catch a wave and pop up, the board is hard for me to direct or guide it down the coast. FYI, I'm not looking for crazy maneuverability... but simply a board which is easy to paddle and catch waves... and one that feel like the right size. I've also riden a 7' fun-board, and do just okay on it... It's harder to paddle and less stable for me, but I can manage it.

I live in Brooklyn, NY and have to rent a car each time I venture to the beach ($) and lug the mammoth 9' board along with me. My hope is to get an extra wide/thick board for buoyancy, and knock off some of the length for transportation and resolve the issues listed above. If the board is short enough, I can take it on the train, saving me money and getting me into the water more often (YAY!).

Is the Walden Fish (6'6" X 23" X 3") right for my skill level, or am I taking a dive into the deep end? Does a fun-board suit my needs better? I can give you more information if you would like... but I think I've elaborated enough. I would really appreciate your help.

Thanks!

C.

[surferdude_scarborough]

I dont think a fish is the right board to step down from a longboard. A fish is usually an addition to a shortboarders quiver. They are small and wide and thick so they have the bouyancy to catch smaller fatter waves. This sounds like they wouyld be ideal step down boards. However, they are designed to be loose. To an experienced surfer this means nice and easy to turn but to a newer surfer it just means wobbly. Im also not a fan of these longer fish boards like the one you describe. They seem to be a bit of a poor compromise and a bit corky.

If you are looking to step right down to a board of this length I would reccommend a shortboard of a similar length. You should look for one with a bit more volume than standard shortboards and not too much rocker. Slightly flatter rocker will make it easier to paddle. The downside is that less rocker mean it will be more likely to pearl in steep waves. Talk to a shaper about how to hide extra volume in the board. or look for one with fuller rails and more volume towards the front.

hope this helps

James

[cvheifner]

Thanks Surferdude_scarborough. This really helps. I think a hefty 7' board will give me the feel I'm hoping for. I'll stay away from the fish. Thanks for the great advise!

Best,

C.

[zangpakto]

Funny enough my transition board was a 6'3" potato chip with lots of rocker, the complete opposite of what was recommended.

Then moved to a 5'9" Biscuit. And honestly? That board performs very good for my size/height/shape etc etc etc

Though there are days I can't use it and have to go back to my 6'3" I felt a new sense of enjoyment moving down to a shortboard, and you will too! Keep it up it is VERY worth the effort

[tony g]

My son Kevin went from a longboard to a 6'6" fish and did really well. The wider template(outline) gave him more stability and the ability to still catch waves and start turning on the open face, yet it was easier to get out into the line up on. They are still somewhat hard to duck dive, but easier than a longboard. I would recommend trying a few boards out if possible before purchasing as everybody is different. I have a fish in my quiver and I love it for the average small to med size days, or on mushy fat waves. Don't give up on the fish until you try one! Hope this helps! Their is a reason the fish is popular with good surfers as well as beginners. The longer fish you described will not turn as well as the shorter high performance ones, and that makes them more stable and great for beginners looking to step down from a longboard! The fish lives on!

Tony
Safari Town Surf Shop
http://safaritownsurf.com

[vabeach]

Fish, fish, fish!
Suferdude is correct in saying a fish type board is loose, however if you get one with a thruster option it will reduce some of that loose feeling. At your weight I would go with something in the 6 x 20 x 2.5 range this will give you plenty of float and manuverability. You will definately struggle at first learning to stand up but stick with it because the end result will be well worth the effort.

I've been surfing for 25 years now and 90% of the time my go to board is a fish.

[surferdude_scarborough]

ahem, a fish with a thruster set up isnt really a fish. Its a short fat shortboard. Useful in its own right. what i meant in my post was the board to get would be a standard shortboard shape but a little thicker and less rocker, something like 6'6 - 6'8 x 19 - 20" x 2 1/2" should work.

[vabeach]

Skip all the bs! If your goal is to get to a short board then do it, at 155lbs any board at 6ft will work. Its all a matter of how determined you are to get to the next level.

[bruinft]

I never did the standard longboard to shortboard route. I went from a 7'4" funboard to a 6'0" modern fish and seem to be doing ok. I tried out a more classic shortboard and still prefer the modern fish.

[Selimando]

I'm 6 foot 145/150 pounds. I went from a 9 foot foam longboard to a 6 foot modern blackfish. I love the board it's a thruster set up, has tons of volume (36L) and is a great board. You could get the 7'0" blackfish which has 46L and do a lot more things on it than your board now. I've been surfing about a year and only go on weekends maybe twice/3 times a month

[oldmansurfer]

Well Selimando... welcome to the forum and I award you the Dr Frankenstien award for resurecting this thread that died 4.5 years ago.