Surfing Waves

Hi,
I have been on an 8 foot long board and am wanting to get a shortboard now. I also have been riding a 4'10 wakesurfer the past two years, so I'm kind of familiar with how a shortboard rides. (not saying its the same, just that I have rode smaller boards). I'm roughly 155 lbs and was wondering if I should get like a 6'6,6'8, or 6'10, or if that would be too big for me and should get a 6'4 or 6'5? I would like to be able to catch waves, but at the same time don't want to be riding a board that is too large and responds like a sheet of plywood. Any advise would be great.
Thanks

Im about the same weight as you, and I ride a 6 foot 2 3/8" thick thruster. It works absolutely great for me, but I went to that from a 7'2" so you might want to go just a little bigger. If you can, see if any friends would let you try out their shorter board, so you can kinda get the feel of it.

Hey thanks for the feedback. How much bigger would you suggest? I was considering like a 6'4 or 6'6, but was worried that it might be too hard to catch waves. So should go even a little bigger than that, say like a 6'8 or 6'10 or would that be too much board for my weight on a thruster? Also any feedback on board models would help too. I've been looking at the Channel Island flyer and flyer II, the Lost speed demon I and II, and the JS combat I and II. Any info on these boards would be great.

i weigh 145lb 6ft and when i dropped in board size from 7'4 (might as well have been a 9ft board the thing was a tank) i went for 6'8 thruster 19 wide 2 3/8 thick. The board was great but i think i dropped down only 4 months later to a 6'4. So maybe shoot for the middle 6'6. Of course im talking about standard thrusters here. You could also opt for something like a hybrid board something like http://sauritchsurfboards.com/hybridshortboard.html or http://sauritchsurfboards.com/fisheye.html or something simular as you can get away with length as long as you maintain stability and buoyancy.

But with out ever seeing you surf and knowing your exact skill level i couldnt really comment its something you should come to your own conclusion just be honest with your self

Hope that helps

Ya it was alot of help thanks, probably go for the 6'6 or 6'8.

6' 3" x 19 3/8 x 2 7/16 Squash Tail
or a 6' 0" x 19 7/8 x 2 9/16 Swallow Tail

Ya, if I were you i'd go with 6'3" to 6'6" range. My board was custom shaped for me, so I cant really recommend a model for you, but the CI Tangent or Flyer looks pretty cool to me. Let me know what you end up gettin!

Ya I was leaning towards a Channel Islands FlyerII because I've heard they're pretty easy to ride and are a good board for a quiver of one. I was looking at that model in a 6'4 because it seems like it would be easier to get the feel of a shortboard, yet also be more responsive than if I went with a 6'10. The site says to ride it an inch or two shorter that your standard shortboard. However, I found a good deal on a Lost Speed Demon, which I've also heard good things about. The board is like new and its only $175, the only drawback is that its 6'2", 18 3/4" X 2 1/4", which is kind of small for me, but the price and condition make it very tempting.

I wouldnt advise the 6'2 waaay to thin and skinny - good price but that may prove a little too difficult.

naniekso dimentions on a 6'3/6'4 sound about right.

Ya I agree, good price, but i'd rather be able to have something easier to get up on. I found a 6'3 Js combat, looks like I'm going to buy that. Thanks for all the help

I'm not sure the Flyer II (epoxy)? is that great a choice. When I got back into surfing (after 25 years off) I had more fun on a fish or fun shape shortboard at first @ 6' and 6'3" then the flyer II , epoxy at 6' 5" but that's me haha. Now I may like it though, who knows. I love me custom for sure

you are 155lbs, any board 6'4 or 6'6 will do, a bigger one if you don't want to work so hard. To better help, please answer:

1) You buying new or used?

2) You plan to go to a surf shop and buy off the rack or ordering online.

3) Where do you live(in case we know a good shaper locally)?

4) How often do you surf(for example, if you only surf once a month, go MUCH bigger)?

Honestly you don't need to get that big of a board. I went from surfing a 9'2 to a 5'7 fish. It took me a few weeks to adjust but I got it.

You could just get a 6'0. It doesn't really matter.

A fish is an easier choice for transition...

Not really since mine wasn't really shaped wide or as thick as other fish boards.