Surfing Waves

Hi, I realise this forum is inundated with "beginner board buying advice?" topics but a lot of the previous posts don't apply to my exact level which I would call a an experienced beginner (completely arbitrary rating tbh so will give u a quick- albeit boring -low down of my level). at a loss in terms of board buying knowledge so figured I would rely on your kind community for help.

my level low down:
I am a young athletic 22 male and have been surfing for a year now in the UK every month (starting from scratch), with close friends who are either sponsored pros or experienced surfers. I have recently had the privilege of an epic monthly stint of surfing every weekend and occasionally some sneaky weekdays in New Zealand (whilst on a uni transfer scheme) at some lovely beach breaks and even a reef. I have spent time on a long board and feel confident with the paddle fast early catchment style up to 4 ft waves, and have also had fun learning a different steeper drop in style and making left and right turns on a 7"6 nsp on up to 5ft faces. I feel confident in up to 5-6ft surf though have been in up to 8ft surf and survived. Despite grown up in London, over the past sessions in the water I have started to developed a level of respect and understanding of ocean and subtleties of local surf etiquette, as much as one can who didn't grow up by a surf break and is generally still new to surfing in the grand scheme of things.

reason for board:
never owned a board and am sick of losing money on renting and adjusting to a different setup each trip, on my return to the UK i plan to finally buy a board, woop!!

What I am looking for and why:
I am looking to get a board that will allow me to surf chill 3ft days up to more pumping 6-7ft days, and enable me to progress my ability towards more agile turns and greater speed. While I love longboarding (lots of waves and uncontrollable smiling), I am inclined to try to develop the shorter board style simply due to storing/transporting board size practicality and the benefit of what appears to be a generally cheaper cost for a smaller board...( up to a point). Additionally in UK winter, the common breaks i surf often have pretty rough white water barrages and I am keen to develop the duck diving skill which I have struggled with executing on larger more buoyant mini-mal boards.

My current ideas/questions (am I right or wrong?)
- I am currently looking at the new NSP protech or element+ funboard 7"6, does this sound about right for what I am looking for and my level or would I struggle dropping in on a steep 7ft with 7"6?
- I am 173cm and weigh 65kg, I am unsure whether to go for something 7"2 or 7" 6, is there an ideal volume range I should aim for.
- What is the advise with regards to getting a high volume fish instead of a mini-mal/funboard type of board.

Thanks guys any advise from an experienced surfer or someone who has been in this position would be much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Kai, young uk surfer.

Since you're deciding between a 7'2" or 7'6", how about a 7'4" ? I'd recommend the NSP 7'4" Fish over the Funboard shape. I've have the 6'4" Fish version and ride it in a variety of conditions. It's a bit wider and has a fuller tail than the fun shape. Usually I would not recommend a swallow tail to a "beginner", but you say you're not one and have used many boards. ( plus molded epoxy do not tear of tails like normal boards do )

If you have experienced surfer friends, I would highly suggest you borrow a board (or 2, or 3...) in different lengths to try out.

You seem to have some good experience with midsized boards in bigger waves, but it's hard to predict exactly what your experience will be with shorter boards. A 7'+ fun board shape is going to be hard to duck dive (I can't.) You shouldn't choose a board size solely on that, but if you try some smaller boards it will help you figure out sizing that will be best for your size/skill level/home surf breaks.

If you are surfing at breaks near London than they are mostly trash or wind swells. Really gotta go to the SW for any descent waves.

Enjoy and have fun with any board you picked!