fish or shortboard?

[k mac]

wasnt this morn actually drwningbiby bit !!!!!

[Broosta]

...and it wasn't all that over here on the east coast either - 1-2ft mush on the sets yeaterday and today .

[drowningbitbybit]

Looks like I got it all wrong again then!

[tomcat360]

i got a site with the evolution to what is now the modern shortboard, starting with simon anderson

here it is if you wanna check it out




tommy

[dmb72]

The mmore you progress on your groovy fish, the more you REgress on your standard stick.

Not really cool

LMAO.

[KayTee]

Hi I’m lookin to get either a short board or a fish. As I am a beginner I’m am struggling to see the difference and am wondering which u would recommend. I’m 6ft (185cm) and weigh roughly 160-170lbs (70-75kg). I live on the Gold Coast (Australia) so the waves here are pretty good. Suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

[KayTee]

Hi I’m lookin to get either a short board or a fish. As I am a beginner I’m am struggling to see the difference and am wondering which u would recommend. I’m 6ft (185cm) and weigh roughly 160-170lbs (70-75kg). I live on the Gold Coast (Australia) so the waves here are pretty good. Suggestions and recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Big H]

How much of a beginner are you and how often will you go surf? Also, how old are you?

[KayTee]

I’m 17 and intent on surfing at least twice a week.

[waikikikichan]

As I am a beginner I’m am struggling to see the difference

Just to clarify since I am not sure by what you mean.
1) you can't see the difference in the shape visually ?
2) you have seen people ride both fishes and shortboards and you can't see the difference in how surfers ride them ?
3) You have actually ridden both fishes and shortboards and do not see a difference in how they ride ?

Question for you. What type and size board are you currently riding ?

[KayTee]

Hi sorry about the vagueness of the question. I can see the visually difference but have not a fish or sent some one ride a fish I currently have a shshort board and most people near me ride short long or min mals. I’ve been told they ride better than short boards. I was wondering if it would make a difference for me so I guess my question is what type of waves is a fish better in than a short board??

[waikikikichan]

I’ve been told they ride better than short boards. I was wondering if it would make a difference for me so I guess my question is what type of waves is a fish better in than a short board??

"Ride "better" than short boards" is even more vague. "Better" in what way ? Ease of paddling, ease of turning, ease of going fast, ease of stability ? But if you ask me which is "easier", i would say the Fish is "easier" than a Shortboard. I would go from Longboard to Funboard to Big fish / Hybrid to Fish than to a Shortboard. Fishes NEED to be surfed "ON RAIL" to perform. They do not like being ridden flat. You have to be constantly rolling from rail to rail.

Do the people that tell you "Fishes ride better", have a board you can borrow so you can see how they ride under your own feet before going out and spending money on one ?

[mg100]

Hey ungar60,
I may not be an expert like some of these guys, I have also been surfing around 3-4 years, but I surf 3-4 times a week every week.
So just in my experience I would vote for the hybrid fish, they are so much fun and wider than a normal short board meaning they are more stable, they seem to catch everything so easily, I will never sell my fish and get it out of the garage often, mine seems to work fine on head hight and above days, as long as they are rolling waves, anything that pitches fast the take off can be tricky with the limited rocker, this is when you need the shortboard.
A short board I find the conditions have to almost perfect where as the fish works in more conditions and I think you will catch far more waves.
All that depends on the waves at your local break of course.
Easiest answer, buy both

[HyeSurfer]

My two cents.
It’s all about style. Do you want to surf like the pros? ( or think you do?) Get a board to fit that style of surfing.
A true fish is like riding a 1970 style skateboard....more flow and swooping turns.
Go to“YouTube” where you can search specific boards and how they are surfed.
Steve

[Pitted]

My two cents.
It’s all about style. Do you want to surf like the pros? ( or think you do?) Get a board to fit that style of surfing.
A true fish is like riding a 1970 style skateboard....more flow and swooping turns.
Go to“YouTube” where you can search specific boards and how they are surfed.
Steve

Exactly. I used to think I wanted to surf like the wsl guys. Then I saw this guys videos...

[IB_Surfer]

Why one or the other? Get both, they both serve a purpose. For example, when I go to Boca De Pascuales or another big wave area I take nothing but shortboards and stepups, but when I go to Puerto Vallarta I only take a fish or funboard. There is a board for every occasion, get your quiver going!

[jaffa1949]

As usual a great and typical IB post, buy both! . The trading post of IBS boards to be moved on and those awaiting to be requivered most be impressive!
His tag should be IB Trader!
Good to see you around IB!

[fambrois123]

you say that modern fish are not true fish, which i agree, but they are good for some conditions. if you would rather be doing airs and crazy cutbacks (i know it is possible with a old fish) then a modern fish would be good in small waves. in good powerful fast hollow waves, then you would not need the sacrifice of a swallow tail, which tends to sink.


i would suggest a wider fish, it just seems that i would have been happier in my first two years if i had gotten a fish instead of the average white, roundtail thruster built for big waves and pro surfers.


thats simply my opinion

[biisuke]

I'm 177cm 62 kg and surf dutch mushy waves (1-4 foot waves). currently surfing a 6'2 38.4L groveler but this feels too big (length wise). So im thinking about getting either a fish or another groveler, something around 5'6 - 5'8 with 32-34L. What should i consider when choosing between a fish and a groveler? And do you have any recommendations for surfboards? Im thinking about a getting the seaside, but so expensive.

[waikikikichan]

currently surfing a 6'2 38.4L groveler but this feels too big (length wise).

So if you like the way your current grovelor rides, but it feels "long", why don't you get the same board in just a few inch or two shorter length ?
Instead of us recommending a board, which may not be available in your area of the world, why don't you list boards you think you'd like and then we can give our input.