Next step for me, which board?

[colin]

Hey guys, I have been surfing only a few months now and purchased a used 6'6" shortboard (6'6", 19 3/4, 2 9/16). I knew what I was getting into trying to learn on a shortboard and while it has been a struggle I now feel that I am up to a decent level and am much more comfortable catching waves and manuevering.

However, I go surfing with a few of my buddies and they are all longboarders and catch the small stuff all day long while I am paddling like mad and missing a lot of opportunities. I want to be able to ride in on the mush if I want but at the same time not have a huge board to carry around. I am 5'9, 140lbs and am looking for a funboard in the range of 7'6 to 7'10" and with around 21 or 22 thickness and 2 1/4 - 2 3/4. I would rather have the 7'6 funboard but if the 7'10 is a better board for me then I would get it as well.

I appreciate the help, thanks!

[Laguna]

The 7"10 will most likely be asier to catch smaller waves on and youll probably find paddling easier. If I was you id just get a big wide thick board around the sizes of 7"6 to 7"9, it aint that big really.
Surfing aint about whos got the shortest best looking board, buy a board that will mak you improve and will get you catching good waves - thats what looks impressive

[drowningbitbybit]

I've got a 7'4 funboard in the quiver (and I'm over 6ft) and I can catch almost anything with it - not as early as on a longboard, but it can be surfed on mushy 1ft days (if I'm really desperate).

If you can surf a shortboard, a funboard around 7'6 will be easy to surf, and can still be ridden like a shortboard when the waves get a bit more power

[colin]

Thanks for the replies guys, I appreciate it. I think I am going to go with a 7'6" funboard, as I don't think I will benefit much from having 4 more inches being that I am pretty comfortable on my 6'6". Thanks again!

[Driftingalong]

check out a fish too!
wide nose, wide tail, thick
not the modern/hybrid style, but the huge swallow tail ones
Rainbow and Kane Gardens make some really good ones.
Great for small surf and more like your shortboard than a fun shape.