switching it up

[danab]

Whatsup everyone?!
i have a question about switching boards, so i have been surfing for about 2 weeks now on a 7ft foam board, and i feel like i can catch some decent waves, but i am kind of getting bored and looking for a new challenge, i really want to switch to a shortboard, so i paddled out on one the other day ago and it felt a lot lighter and it was way harder to balance, and i tried going for waves but it felt a lot different trying to catch them and i didnt really suceed, i was just wondering if any one had any adcive for switching it up, its a 7ft board too, i am 5'8 and 126 lbs so it shouldnt be to big or to small, and ive only done it once so far, Thanks!

[isaluteyou]

Well the foam board is probably a lot thicker and wider wih a rounded nose correct? Where as the shortboard will likely have less width be thinner and have a thruster shape aka pointy nose. This basically translates to less float and stability which is why you are finding it hard. You can either get yourself a real fiber glass minimal or stick with the shortboard. Getting a minimal at 7ft will make the transition easier sticking with the shortboard will be harder but not impossible

In my view i wouldnt techniquelly(sp) call a 7ft thruster a shortboard probably more to the tea of a hybrid or big guy shortie i imagine. Post up some pics

[garbarrage]

agree entirely. you surfing green waves yet? turning ok? fairly consistent catching waves? until you can answer yes to all of these questions there's no real reason to try smaller boards.
loads of beginners seem eager to get onto shorter boards.. myself included. i think because learning to surf is difficult and they think that a shorter board will be easier to do stuff on.
if you can't do it on a foamie, longboard or a minimal you won't be able to do it on a shortboard.
good luck and don't forget to have fun!