Surfing Waves

Hey,

I've been surfing a 7'2" MiniMal for a few months, and a year from now I'm thinking of upgrading to a shortboard. What size/type would you recommend. I'm about 5'7" and weigh about 152 lbs.

hmm. Anywhere from a 6.3 to a 6.6, get it pretty fat and wide for it to be easier to move around with.

Ive been learning on a foamie on and off since about 2002, and Im gonna get the Bic 6'7''. Pretty perfect beginners shortboard.

I wouldnt go straight fror a shortboard, a fish baord would probably be easier for you, it gives you speed, balnce an is pretty floaty. Believe me you'll improve more on a fish rather than a shortbaord. Plus they are about the same size as a shortbaord. I got a a spider fish baord, its really good when you have just changed from a minimal.
Hope this advice helps

The only warning I'd give on a fish is that they usually have a lot less rocker than your typical shortboard, so depending on your waves, you might find it easier tpo pearl on a fish than a short.

Does a fish cost more than a normal shortboard?

Well i usually get mine 2nd hand. I wouldnt know.

me too. used boards are waaaay cheaper.

not sure about the fish, theyre pretty specialised boards, a decent sized thruster might be a better option as its a more versitile board.
You mention that your thinking of buying one about a year in the future so the best thing would be not to worry about it now and see what level your surfing is at that time.

Cost - wise, it's all gonna be variable on where you buy it, and 'brand', but I'd say fish, short thrusters, hybrids, eggs all run in the same price ranges.

I'll probably look at my local shops' used board rack. They've got some decently priced boards. I'm likely to use my MiniMal as the mainstay of my future quiver...

sorry to jump in but i pretty much have the same question and figured i'd use this thread instead of starting a new one. i'm about the same size as the OP, 5'6 153lbs and was wondering what size shortboard i should look at. I've been riding a 6'6 fish, dont remember thickness or width off the top of my head, but its pretty wide and feels a little big, especially when i'm duck diving. just want something easier to maneuver.

dojo wrote:sorry to jump in but i pretty much have the same question and figured i'd use this thread instead of starting a new one. i'm about the same size as the OP, 5'6 153lbs and was wondering what size shortboard i should look at. I've been riding a 6'6 fish, dont remember thickness or width off the top of my head, but its pretty wide and feels a little big, especially when i'm duck diving. just want something easier to maneuver.

6.6 is a damn big fish. With your size at 5.6 you could easily drop a foot in lenght, and still be cool.

um... maybe you should get somthing like a 6.0 fish itlle be easier to duck dive and youl be rippin it up in no time at all!

Would a 6'11" shortboard be a good choice? I ask because it's close in size to my MiniMal, and I surf in Northern Florida where big waves aren't as common...

thawkwood wrote:Would a 6'11" shortboard be a good choice? I ask because it's close in size to my MiniMal, and I surf in Northern Florida where big waves aren't as common...

I hope so. I'm having a 6.10 shaped right now, and I also live, and surf in north east FL.

WooD,

How's that 6'10" working out for you? Is it still being shaped? Who's shaping it?