Surfing Waves

I'm riding a 7'10" NSP funboard (3" thick, 22" wide) and have had a great time riding it for the last 2 years (it was my first board). Unfortunately, I haven't had much luck paddling out into bigger surf (say 5-6' and up). When I try to duck dive the board, I end up losing ground (sometimes catching the whitewash going backwards), and turtling just doesn't seem to work too well in these bigger waves. My current theory it that the board is just a little too big for me to duck dive.

About me: 5'11", 165 lbs, live and surf near San Francisco (mostly Linda Mar and Ocean Beach).

I'm thinking of buying a smaller board and was wondering: How small do I need to go in order to be able to get out into these bigger waves? While I eventually want to shortboard, I'm still learning, so I want to go as big as possible while still being able to get out past the break.

Boards I'm considering right now (price and durability are also major factors in my decision):
NSP 6'6" shortboard (epoxy, but too big of a jump from my current board?)
NSP 7'4" shortboard (epoxy, but will I be able to duck dive it?)
7Seven 6'10" Fat Boy
7Seven 6'8" Fish

Any suggestions? How small should I go?

What sort of level of surfing are you at now? Theres special techniques in getting out the back on bigger boards, longboarders can do it - its all about timing and getting past one or two big waves. If you time it right and paddle hard and fast into a big oncoming wave you might be able to get through it by turtle roll or just holding onto your board tight with your head down (like a dart).

Anyhow 2years on an NSP could be a call of going shorter on a new board. I wouldn't advise you on getting another NSP board, you should get a proper board. I think a 6'10 funboard would be appropriate. It should make paddling easier than on a shortboard, capable of duck diving, and easier to catch waves than a shortboard.

Fiberglass boards with FCS fins are a lot lighter and faster than pop out boards.

You could get a 6'8 shortboard or 6'10 fat boy shortboard which are more boyant but I think the 6'10 funboard would be better and should get you to a good level to progress to a short board.

Laguna, thanks for your advice. I guess I qualify myself as "advanced beginner" - I'm catching waves reliably and get in a few turns on them, but still have a lot to learn (e.g., my backside turn is kinda slow, I sometimes lose too much speed on my initial cutback, etc). Turning faster would be cool, but the main reason I'm looking at a smaller board is so that I can get out past the the death zone that forms on the bigger days.

Yeah, I've tried to just bust through the big waves, but this only works up to a certain size and period. When the waves are bigger and more frequent, I tire out and get washed back to shore.

Currently, the most effective technique I've found is to wait at standing depth (sad, I know, but it saves energy) until a short break between the waves and then paddle like a madman to bust through waves and it make past the break before I get trashed by the next set of big waves. Needless to say, I'm looking to improve upon this technique.

So you think the 6'10" board will help me get an effective duck dive working (i.e., no need to go smaller)?

topomap wrote:
Currently, the most effective technique I've found is to wait at standing depth (sad, I know, but it saves energy) until a short break between the waves and then paddle like a madman to bust through waves and it make past the break before I get trashed by the next set of big waves. Needless to say, I'm looking to improve upon this technique.

Thats fine, most surfers go out to say chest height, wait for the next big wave and then paddle out hard after it. Its what you should be doing.

I think if you get a fiberglass board with fcs fins you will find turning quicker and sharper. When I progressed from my 7'3 bic mini mal to my 6'10 funboard I saw a huge difference. It was so much faster and easier to turn. I think you will find it better to progress on a proper board now that you got the basics in surfing nailed.
I am 5'10 about 154pounds , so I am around your height/weight and im using a 6'10 funboard at the moment and I find it alright to duck dive. You should be able to get out the back on a 6'10 fiberglass funboard.

Theres a lot of people on this forum with 6'10 boards and they can duck dive them, so with practice you should be capable of doing it.

Its up to you what board you end up getting. I think a 6'10 funboard would be a good one to go for

topomap wrote:Currently, the most effective technique I've found is to wait at standing depth (sad, I know, but it saves energy) until a short break between the waves and then paddle like a madman to bust through waves and it make past the break before I get trashed by the next set of big waves. Needless to say, I'm looking to improve upon this technique.

Sad? That is the technique.Pick your moment and get out there. The only way to improve on that is to ride a rip, and thats not always possible.

As for size, Laguna's 6'10 suggestion is about right. It'll be a struggle for a while, but you'll soon get it. And you'll be able to duck it with s little practise

Cool - sounds like a 6'10" board is the way to go.

Does anybody out there have any experience with 7Seven boards? Do they hold up okay? A local shop has one for cheap (~$350 new), so I'm thinking of going with it.

a 6'10" to a 6'6" by about 19 or 20 by about 2

or you could buy a fish

Ive recently stepped down to a 6'2" fish after about 5months on a 7'6 minimal, after the initial couple of sessions am having no difficulty with balance or anything + I can now duckdive and am starting to be able to turn quite well + after riding my mates 6'10 thruster love my fish even more
Im also fatter and taller than you-so you would be able to easily get away with a 6' fish.

Go on you knows you want a little fishy!

i too am around topomap's level but have been surfing a 7'2" with a width of 21" but i dont remember the thickness...i know its maybe a little higher than the average shortboard...thats about it. I am 6'4 and 180lbs Recently i have been having the same problems with duckdiving, but i want to move down to a shorter board. Sadly, I dont know how far to go down and if its the right time...any suggestions?