Surfing Waves

Hey, i'm currently riding a 7'6 mini mal and really would like to get something around the 7' mark as a sort of step between the mal and a shortboard. I was wondering if i could get a Semi-gun because they all seem to be pretty long. Whats the differance between a Gun or semi-gun and a big shortboard?

It's all in the shape of the board.
The semi-gun is for advanced surfers surfing bigger waves.
For one, it will probably be a lot narrower (less stable) than a big shortboard.

a gun is definately not the way to go. how bout something like a G&S magic egg?

If i was to get an egg or perhaps a fun board, would it give me more manouverbility etc but still be fairly stable. one of the main things i have trouble with is duck-diving because it's such a thick board. Just looking to make steps down to a shortboard. Anyone know a good place to get the kind of board im looking for in Devon or Cornwall? must me thousands of places!

Guns are not good learner boards, usually it's the rocker that makes them hard to ride for beginners, the middle & tail of the board are fairly ok...it's the front 1/3 rocker, from your chest area to the nose...big curve upwards, and unless you're a good paddler you'll just be pushing water as the wave passes you by.
Also, most guns have a nose width of 11-12 inches. Not much surface area to get planing...especially in beginner waves.

farmersurfer wrote:If i was to get an egg or perhaps a fun board, would it give me more manouverbility etc but still be fairly stable.

Yes, you should be able to get a board thats more maneouvrable than your current board but more stable than a shortboard. You should probably be looking at a funboard shape at about 7' (maybe even a touch shorter)

farmersurfer wrote:Anyone know a good place to get the kind of board im looking for in Devon or Cornwall? must me thousands of places!

I got my first 'real' board from tunnel vision in Newquay
www.tvsurfshop.co.uk
I got a 7'4 funboard shape from them, and it was fantastic to learn on (then I went back a year later and got a shortboard from them too). They're pretty friendly and you'll be able to describe what level you're at, what board you want, where you surf etc etc and then they'll make 'suggestions'. I'd go with their suggestions as they know what they're talking about

farmersurfer I think it all depends on how often you surf as to how fast you can adapt to a short board , nothing will feel like your Mal ,I recently just bought my first short board a 6ft 6" ft webber after burner, and getting used to it has taken some effort ,going surfing 3 times a week every week for just over a month.
I would definately go for a semi fish tail design like the Greg webber afteburner or any other brand... and the main thing is just take that leap!!


good luck

easty