Surfing Waves

Hey guys, I'm brand new to the forum so I want to first introduce myself: my name is Rachel, I'm 25 years old living and surfing in Hawaii on Oahu. I picked up surfing almost a year ago and I spend 4-7 days a week in the water. I've been surfing between two lower quality longboards that are on the verge of falling apart one is an 8'6 NSP and the other is probably around 9'6 and I don't know much about it other than its relatively thin and lightweight but is mostly held together with duct tape at this point (still rides better than the NSP which I think is taking on water thru the fin deck). I've decided its time to purchase a new board and would like to get something with a little more maneuverability (I don't want to give up longboarding but I'm eager to give something new a try and I think switching it up will in turn help launch my longboarding skills). My buddy who is a life long surfer highly suggested I aim for a 7'0-7'2 fish and I've done some research and feel that would be a great next board for me but obviously the transition will be tough any advice you guys have to offer would be much welcomed. Quick run down about me and where I'm at in my surfing...I grew up competitively swimming among other sports and consider myself relatively athletic and im extremely competitive so I love a new challenge. Its winter and I surf on the south shore so the waves are small (0-3ft on any given day) unless a swell comes thru. I'm able to catch waves, pop up, and ride the wave pretty consistently now and have gotten the hang of carving and walking around on the board (not always gracefully). I feel comfortable in the lineup and in my abilities and progression but I know I have quite a long way to go so that's why im here:) thanks!

Your buddy has given you good advise. Fish or a fun shape should do you well. Try your friends boards out and get a feel for what you may want next. You could always go to Surf Garage in town and rent different shapes and sizes for roughly $25 bucks a day then make a purchasing decision. My advice would be to buy another longboard. Longboards are a good choice for a first board and grow a quiver from there. Surfing on the south shore gets pretty crowded and surfing a shorty is going to limit your waves vs a longboard. Whichever way you - good luck on your progression. Everytime I get a new board it's like experiencing XMAS morning as a 6 year old all over again. F'in love it..... I love getting new boards - everytime!

Sounds like you are doing well enough. All I have to say is don't freak out if you find the board hard to lay or sit on. It's just a matter of time and it will be all good. Where do you surf on the south side? I used to be a regular at 3's and 4's when I was there and Diamond head.

A 7ft ish mini mal/fun board is still fairly manoeuvrable, so don't discount that as an option. It has the benefit of easier paddling and earlier wave catching (over a fish), good in small or crowded waves. However, if you are comfortable on a longboard then a fish or hybrid should be fine - your biggest problem will be positioning and catching the wave, rather than being able to stand up (the standing up and surfing isn't actually that hard, although you need to relearn/tweak a few things from the LB days).

Hi Rachel, welcome to Surfing Waves!

Thanks for all the great responses, I think testing out a few different boards is a good idea I don't want to limit my options. I'm still trying to figure this site out so im not sure how to tag people but Oldmansurfer I spend the week days out at Rockpiles by the Hilton Lagoon mostly because of the convenience but ive come to feel at home there and I'm goofy footed so it gives me loads of practice on my
Frontside. On the weekends im a fan of checking out diamond head and other Waikiki breaks just to switch things up and get some back foot practice in. Hope to see som of you out in the water!

Thanks again everyone for your input:)

If you are going to surf Rockpiles mostly get another longboard. If you really want to go shorter with a fish or something it's going to be better to surf Bowls. Bowls is going to be more crowded and harder to catch waves. Both spots super fun - they were my home breaks for 3 years.

Thanks, I don't want to rule out getting another longboard by any means. I love longboarding and yes it's nice to be able to sit out further than the crowd and have more room to work with but this time of year and the time of day I go (5pm until dark) the lineup is thin that's why I was looking to make the jump now before the summer swells and crowds. Now you have me wanting to get a new longboard and a fish:) it seems there is no limit to the amount of boards you can have they are all so fun in their own way.

Shaboom wrote:. Now you have me wanting to get a new longboard and a fish:) it seems there is no limit to the amount of boards you can have they are all so fun in their own way.

The benefit of one board is that its the board you surf - you don't have to make choices. 2 boards and you have to take both of them with you just in case the surf suits one or the other. Then you pick one but get out and think 'mmm, maybe I should have chosen the other'. Or you take one to the beach because of the surf report and when you get there you go 'oh #@@#$, wrong board'.

Three boards and you are creating mental issues....

The only way to prevent it is to live within view of the surf, so you can make your choice at home knowing its the right one.

How people cope with having 5 or 10 boards I don't know