Soft top shortboard length?

[Seqouiathree]

Hi guys,

I'm new to this forum so forgive me if a similar question has already been asked.

I am looking for a short soft board to have some fun and not worry to much about the board. Throw it in the back of my car and go for a surf if I happen to see any waves In this segment there are a lot of options.. But I don't really know which length would be the best choice. There isn't a surf shop near my hometown so I can't really go and compare.. Since softboards do have a lot of volume there a some really small boards like a 4'8 or 4'6 beater. Most of the time the waves aren't perfect were I tend to surf.. pretty low.. I already own a 9' longboard so that can paddle into almost anything. I saw this board: "Softech Flash" this board has a pretty decent volume (34L or 37L) there is a 5'0 version and a 5'7 version. But I don't know if 5'0 is too short for me. I am 180cm and 75kg. I have surfed for 5 years now. And have experience on a 6'2 fish board (I don't own that board anymore)

What would be more fun to surf in a wider variety of conditions? something more in the 5'6 - 6'0 range or 5'0 - 4'6 range.

[waikikikichan]

Most of the time the waves aren't perfect were I tend to surf.. pretty low.

1) WHERE do you surf ? ( and does the wave stand up and pitch out ? )
2) WHAT type soft board ( brand / size ) do you see the locals riding ?

What would be more fun to surf in a wider variety of conditions? something more in the 5'6 - 6'0 range or 5'0 - 4'6 range.

If you need to ask, ......... go with the bigger size.

And have experience on a 6'2 fish board (I don't own that board anymore)

Could you clarify what you mean by "experience" on a 6'2" ? Where you ripping on it ?

[Seqouiathree]

Most of the time the waves aren't perfect were I tend to surf.. pretty low.

1) WHERE do you surf ? ( and does the wave stand up and pitch out ? )
2) WHAT type soft board ( brand / size ) do you see the locals riding ?

And have experience on a 6'2 fish board (I don't own that board anymore)

Could you clarify what you mean by "experience" on a 6'2" ? Where you ripping on it ?

1. I mostly surf in The Netherlands (and Denmark but the wave is more powerful over there). Most of the time we get waves over here when it's windy. Mostly waves are mush and messy because of the wind... not very powerful waves. Shorebreaks. If we're lucky and patient you can get barrels but conditions have to be prefect doesn't happen that often!

2. most locals that do surf shortboards have fiber boards. When I see Softboards 9/10 times it's one of those Olaian boards. 5'4 and 8'0 those are very popular over here because of their pricing. But I wanted to get something with a bit more quality:)

I used to own a 6'2 fish board. I could do cutbacks on it. Not the best guy out there but I could get around pretty good! But sold it for a longboard because I wanted to surf more often and paddle in to every wave possible. Now I don't want to get rid of that longboard board, and want something fun and short like the SOFTECH FLASH ERIC GEISELMAN FCS II 5'0

[tomthetreeman]

In my experience those foam shortboards are extremely wiggly, like riding a cork. They sit on top of the water and the rails are hard to engage and often unwieldy. I’d go at least 6’ if you have the option, as the length gives you more rail to work with.

Tom

[Seqouiathree]

In my experience those foam shortboards are extremely wiggly, like riding a cork. They sit on top of the water and the rails are hard to engage and often unwieldy. I’d go at least 6’ if you have the option, as the length gives you more rail to work with.

Tom

Thanks! That helps a lot.

[dtc]

Yep - lots of volume in a small area just creates a cork. Doesn’t seem to be any benefit to getting a really short (5ft) board

[IB_Surfer]

A buddy uses a 6'6" Odysea at Imperial Beach when it's breaking waist/chest high breaking right on the shore, so he breaks out the foamy and rides waves all the way right before it smacks into the sand. He is a big guy, but says a bigger board would not turn in the small beachbreak.

[tomthetreeman]

A buddy uses a 6'6" Odysea at Imperial Beach when it's breaking waist/chest high breaking right on the shore, so he breaks out the foamy and rides waves right all the way right before it smacks into the sand. He is a big guy, but says a bigger board would not turn in the small beachbreak.

The OP is asking about lengths between 5 and 6 feet, so no worries there lol.

Tom

[IB_Surfer]

A buddy uses a 6'6" Odysea at Imperial Beach when it's breaking waist/chest high breaking right on the shore, so he breaks out the foamy and rides waves right all the way right before it smacks into the sand. He is a big guy, but says a bigger board would not turn in the small beachbreak.

The OP is asking about lengths between 5 and 6 feet, so no worries there lol.

Tom

Yep, wrong size, get a 6'6