Surfing Waves

hey guys, i've been surfin on and off for 6 months now. i've been about 7+ times and im comfortable surfing straight and i can kinda make basic turns on longboards now. i really want to move to a shortboard but i want to know, is it too early??? what makes riding a shortboard different from a longboard? when did you move to one?

While everybody learns at different speeds, I would say that it's probably too early to go for a shortboard as yet. I've been learning for over 6 months now, going out at least once a week and much more often over the Summer, and I wouldn't dream of getting a shortboard yet. I have occasionally tried one though so here are my impressions of the differences (learned initially on a 7'9" Bic Minimal, now on custom 7'6" Hybrid). The shortboard will be a lot harder to paddle as you have bugger all float compared to a longer board. Your popup needs to be much quicker than with longer boards, and when up you need to be able to bottom turn straight away. It feels far less stable underfoot, if you're used to the longboard it feels like the thing is trying to throw you off. Your wave selection needs to be changed too, you can't go for all the same waves on a shortboard as a longboard.

There's a lot more, but you get the idea. At this stage you'll generally have a lot more fun on a longer board. It's surprising the difference a small change in size makes. My Hybrid is only 3" shorter than the Bic (different shape and construction too) but it's far more responsive and much faster on the wave.

ohh! I can see what you mean, at the moment i'm using an 8' 2 longboard. The reason I posed this question is because in Bali when I went first and wanted to surf I picked up a brochure of a surf school, I read through it and saw that after 4 classes you should be able to switch to a shortboard. I was confused because 2 of my friends (surf alot) said that it took them 4 months to switch. Is it possible for surf schools to teach much faster?

You move to a shortboard when you think you are ready. I would only recommend that you use a transition board to make it more fun. For example, lets say you are ready, and you pick up that potato chip and surf it like a wiz, well congrats. But, more than likely, you will be frustrated with the small board and end up chucking it. So, get a transition board, a board that is smaller than the one you have but definitely bigger than the shgortboard you will surf later.

Also, if not sure and not want to waste money go rent one, for $20 you can find out if you are ready...

Oh ok, I'll give that a go next time. Ill try to rent something around 7 feet. Oh well, can't wait for the next trip.
Cheers!