Surfing Waves

I've been surfing for about a year on a McTavish production mal. Here on the Surf Coast of Victoria we just had a fortnight of perfect 6-8 ft swell that I wasn't about to touch with my 9'6" pole. I probably could've zig zagged my way out on some of the point breaks (the beachies were a total walled-up no-go) but the idea of screwing up and pearling on one of those heavy mothers after I tried to take off too far inside gave me the heebs.

So what I'm wondering is, am I just not good enough? Or is there a size of wave where even the most experienced among you put away the mal and pull out the shortboard or else hang out and watch from the beach?

Some people surf 50ft waves...

Its also a combination of size, energy and break that makes it all complicated. a 2-3ft wave can be fast and pitchy, an 8 ft wave can be fat and slow..

look at all the old movies and the new Pipeline, Sunset, Puerto Escondito, as big as you dare can be ridden on a longboard
Fortunately only a rare few go above their fear and confidence and paddle out. (those who show no respect to the waves just become a menace to themselves and others out there.
Stretch your limits in easy increments, if the big waves call you'll get the confidence eventual matching the skill and you'll be there
Head out to Bells or Phillip Island look at the breaks there on a big day you'll know

Search youtube for Bonga Perkins and watch him destroy Pipeline and triple overhead!