Should I get a new board, or just get stronger?

[lachybalboa1]

So here's the situation:
I've been surfing for around 6 months with this 7'2 mini mal. In summer I surfed a couple times a week, but for ages it's been flat at my local (very inconsistent) beach break. When I got fed up and drove the hour to the nearest point, I had A LOT of trouble paddling and couldn't catch a single wave. I'm yet to properly surf along the face so I really want to get over this hurtle.
I think I should've gotten a proper long board of 9 or 10 feet, as I am 6'1 and 70kg myself. I'm pretty skinny though, and my arms are not super strong by any means. But for a long time I've been tempted to get a fish, as my ultimate goal is to shortboard, not longboard. What size fish would I need to get to achieve the paddling power of a nice solid longboard? Or should I stop looking for a fish all together?
Also, one of the fins on my minimal is duct taped in place (I'm a poor student, and have no money for repairs), so would that cause the paddling power to suffer?
OR should I just work my shoulders out to get strong enough to paddle the minimal?
I can't surf often until I move some place with better waves, so I really just want a board to make the most of the days I go out. Any help would be appreciated.
PS I skateboard, and keep my trucks pretty loose for that nice carvey feel, if that makes any difference in my balancing ability or something.
THANKS!

[lachybalboa1]

ALSO: I just got $700 cash from a weeks work I can spend however I like, hence the idea of getting a new board.

[jaffa1949]

forget anything around 10ft not needed with your weight, paddling has a little to do with your strength.
But if you read all the,"I want to surf short boards" the general advice is to get a first longboard.
In your case I would suggest something more like 8ft and with a bit of volume.
Your current level of SKILL and small amount of surf time available to you means you are not going to get the essential ingredients ( wave riding time).
Once you get a good level of ability then it is time to translate down in sizes.
Poor student then one longer board that does the job is way better than any board that doesn't do the job!
Fins duct taped on = a dog of a board.
With the money from the job try longer and see, you can always on sell a board. Also invest in a fin repair if the rest of the board is OK then you will have two boards.
Even try the fin repair first, you might not have to buy a new board ( but honestly I think a board in that condition will be pretty smashed up and waterlogged if the fins were not cared for)

[dtc]

I'll just add that is common for beginners not to catch waves because, well, they are beginners. Even experienced surfers sometimes have those sessions...

Anyway, it could well be the board (echo Jaffa's comments) but also look at your own skill. Read up on positioning, what you are meant to do - are you paddling hard enough (often beginners dont appreciate just how hard you have to paddle or how you have to paddle for longer than you think). Look at youtube videos on 'how to catch a green wave' (as always, I recommend the Surf Simply series - there are about 10 or so, watcth them in order - on youtube). Make sure you are doing the right thing, the board cant do it for you no matter how good it is (or bad it is)

Until you can catch a wave with a bigger board, going to a smaller board just makes everything harder and more frustrating - dont bother. You will know when you are good enough to move. You wont be a student forever either.

$300 should get you a good quality second hand board, no need for a brand new one,

[drowningbitbybit]

What size fish would I need to get to achieve the paddling power of a nice solid longboard?

About 9 foot should do it.

[carmelite]

I agree...just get a decent used board with the money (8' probably). When you're learning to surf, catching waves, reading waves in the lineup, paddling, takeoff, and general water safety are the most important things to work on. The skating/good balance only helps when you're riding the wave down the line, carving, slashing, snapping...etc. As a beginner, you're still a long way off from that so don't worry about it yet. You'll know when your board's performance is holding you back, when it's too slow and unresponsive to match your ability. Until that's the case just stick with something that helps you catch waves easily.

[dtc]

What size fish would I need to get to achieve the paddling power of a nice solid longboard?

About 9 foot should do it.

[oldmansurfer]

That is close to the price of a new board. Whatever else you do you should get stronger it's going to help. Duck tape can add drag. You might take the board to a shop and ask then what it would cost to fix the fin. Just understand it will take more time paddling to get used to catching waves with a smaller board but once you get used to it a smaller board will be easier to surf saying that you want to do something more than riding whitewater in to the shore. A 9 foot fish YEAH! I bet I can out paddle all the SUP guys with that...... I already can beat a bunch of them with my 8 foot fun board. But for close to $700 you may be able to get a board made for you by a shaper who knows how to make beginner boards which would be the ideal situation (ignoring cost)