Hook me up, ? on size (of a surfboard)

[jon.biarritz]

Dude, talk to a nearby shaper who will make a board to suit you. His advice after meeting and talking with you, assessing your fitness and skill level, will be way better than what we can tell you over a forum. It should be loads cheaper than the brand boards, too.

If you're buying off the rack, buy used... that way your mistakes will cost you half less

[esonscar]

Don't go too wide on the latest length / width either - you wont be comfortable sitting on it waiting for the waves !

[isaluteyou]

Dude, talk to a nearby shaper who will make a board to suit you. His advice after meeting and talking with you, assessing your fitness and skill level, will be way better than what we can tell you over a forum. It should be loads cheaper than the brand boards, too.

If you're buying off the rack, buy used... that way your mistakes will cost you half less

couldnt agree more. + with a shaper you start to build a relatonship and your borad just get beter and better and more refined to your exacting needs. If thats not an option then seriously consider a secondhander as more often than not you can just sell it for more or less the same price you purchased it for if it dont work for you. It's always a tricky time when you are not quite sure what you need so if at all possible borrow friends board and try them out to see if it works.

[toonraider]

im 5'3 and 110lb i've just come down from a 7'3 minimal to a 6'3 roundtail small wave thruster and the difference in skill required to catch waves and ride it is very wide.

[IB_Surfer]

What's up I posted this question in shortboards only, but I got no love

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=13909

[kcaffee]

I passed on it and ended up with a 6' 4 x 20 x 2 1/2 flyer, used of course. I took it out and had a hella bad time trying to paddle that bi@#$. Not a whole lot of movement, but it does float well just doesn't seem to get in a wave as early as I thought it would. Math T you said you wanted to try an alternator do you think thats a good board for a new shortboarder.

[jon.biarritz]

That's a big comfy shortboard, pretty ideal for learning.

I have a board with the same exact dimensions. You'll just need to work on your paddling or position on the board. Scoot forward more and lift your legs and chest off the board so that the nose is just barely out of the water or level with it, then just at the moment of catching the wave, lower your chest way down to the board, lift your hips and legs, put all your weight over your arms and shoulders, and pop up.

A shortboard requires more precise positioning and technique while paddling and catching waves. You'll get used to it quickly.

[kcaffee]

Sweet I going to work on it without a doubt, I just tire out quickly with the paddle, way different from a LOOOOOOOONG board. =)
Also do you think a 6' 6" is too long for me at 5' 7"?

[trifish]

The flyer size you got was a good choice. If you think that one is ruff to paddle you would of had a blast on that thin firewire Shortboarding takes more conditioning to paddle around then a longboard for sure. As for the 6'6', I think you should surf whatever feels best to you. Shapers will recommend a certain size based on your height to put your feet into the sweet spots on the board. I imagine once you get used to the 6'6" board you will start to think it feels to big and want to go shorter since your 5'7", but it all comes in stages.

[IB_Surfer]

I passed on it and ended up with a 6' 4 x 20 x 2 1/2 flyer, used of course. I took it out and had a hella bad time trying to paddle that bi@#$. Not a whole lot of movement, but it does float well just doesn't seem to get in a wave as early as I thought it would. Math T you said you wanted to try an alternator do you think thats a good board for a new shortboarder.

Well, you asked for advise on the board you where thinking of getting, not on a transition board for someone 185lbs who is trying shortboarding for the first time.

6'4" x 20" x 2 1/2" is the perfect size, honest, I go between 190 - 200 lbs depending on lifestyle, surf a 6'5 x 19 1/2" x 2 1/2" and totally dig it. I also own a 6'3" x 20 X 2 1/2 quad, by my go-to board is 6'5" thumb tail thruster, so the flyer is exactly right for when you become good shortboarder.

If you want to catch waves on a shorter board right away you will need a 2nd transition board, something that paddles like your old boards but will perform in the direction you are headed. My learner board was an 8' mal. My transition board was a big fat 7'4" x 20 x 2 3/4" semi-gun like the Merrick M13 but locally. It's the wrong board to shred, but the right board for a a starting shortboarder our size.
However, if you are patient enough the flyer you bought is about the right size, you just have to stick to it.

Can I make a suggestion though? The fins they come with are the AM, Al Merrick fins. They are awesome when it's barreling, really hold high on the wave and don't slip. However, they are horrible for learning, the long sweep and the toe-in really drag the board, makes it harder for a begginer to glide and catch waves. Swap them out for a set of M5's, or my favorites, a set of GMB's. You'll be amazed how a $40 investment in the right fins will totally change the feel of a shortboard.

Hope that helps. My advise is based on my own 15 year experience, 5'8" 195lb size.

[kcaffee]

Having a good time with the board so far, occasionally gets away from me, but I would like to check out a more forgiving fin set if the standard Merrick fins will hinder any progress, so what are options for a quad with futures.

[trifish]

kcaffee, You ended up going with a Quad or a Thruster? The quad doesnt have the stability of the thruster (its more loose), also its a bit faster and can get away from you at times, but they are a blast once you get your feet set on them.

[kcaffee]

Yeah it's a used custom p/u flyer II at 6'4" x 20 x 2 1/2, with future quads. loads of fun, but real fast. I am working real hard usually three to four hr sessions three to four times a week.

[isaluteyou]

Yeah it's a used custom p/u flyer II at 6'4" x 20 x 2 1/2, with future quads. loads of fun, but real fast. I am working real hard usually three to four hr sessions three to four times a week.

no substitute to water time so keep with it everything resolves itself with enough practise

[kcaffee]

Hate to hijack my own thread but, can you take the two trailer fins out of a quad and surf it like a twin? Are the fins set in the right place to provide the right performance? And would a twin be looser than the quad? And what would happen if you set the larger fins back and the small trailers in the front?

[trifish]

Only one way to find out As for a twin vs quad, My twin was twice as loose as my quad, but it also had a huge swallow tail which has something to do with that.