I wanna shred with a shortboard...rocket tail shape???

[vanfossenator]

I am currently surfing a 7'6 funshape and have been for about a year now...(3 springs/summers total experience)...My ultimate goal is to be able to shred with a shortboard and I have a few questions...(Ht: 6'0 Wgt: 165 lbs.)

1. Someone please explain this:"It should be ridden 2” to 3” shorter and 1/4” to 1/2” wider than your normal shortboard.".....What is my normal size shortboard???? (Ht: 6'0 Wgt: 165 lbs.)

2. What should I expect with a shortboard? I surf in St. Aug Bch, FL...so for those of you that don't know, the waves are usually mushy and hardly ever larger than waist high...(haha, thats a good day)

3. Some friends that are more experienced suggested purchasing some local shapers that can customize the shape of the board for me...I like the idea of supporting the local guys and it makes sense since they know the waves...I have narrowed it down to Kechele surfboards and Josh Autrey surfboards, of course I will consider CI...Thoughts on a good beginner shortboard???

4. Last one, some one tell me about the Rocket...I saw some vids on this tail shape...is Lost the only shaper that offers that? Anybody have experience with it??? In the video I saw it was some guys using a 5'3 and totally owning the local small waves!!!

Gracias Amigos y Amigas!!!

[IB_Surfer]

I am currently surfing a 7'6 funshape and have been for about a year now...(3 springs/summers total experience)...My ultimate goal is to be able to shred with a shortboard and I have a few questions...(Ht: 6'0 Wgt: 165 lbs.)

1. Someone please explain this:"It should be ridden 2” to 3” shorter and 1/4” to 1/2” wider than your normal shortboard.".....What is my normal size shortboard???? (Ht: 6'0 Wgt: 165 lbs.)

The rocket fish, most fishes for that matter, are made wider and thicker and normal with less rocker, so you need less length to ride one. Your normal length, well, depends on your ability. If you had been surfing for 5 years solid your size would be about 6'1", but since you're still a begginer I would go slightly bigger so you don't just flail around in the surf.

2. What should I expect with a shortboard? I surf in St. Aug Bch, FL...so for those of you that don't know, the waves are usually mushy and hardly ever larger than waist high...(haha, thats a good day)

I wouldn't buy a shortboard for those conditions, a rocket fish sound just about right.

3. Some friends that are more experienced suggested purchasing some local shapers that can customize the shape of the board for me...I like the idea of supporting the local guys and it makes sense since they know the waves...I have narrowed it down to Kechele surfboards and Josh Autrey surfboards, of course I will consider CI...Thoughts on a good beginner shortboard???

Mat Kechele makes awesome boards, great stick.

4. Last one, some one tell me about the Rocket...I saw some vids on this tail shape...is Lost the only shaper that offers that? Anybody have experience with it??? In the video I saw it was some guys using a 5'3 and totally owning the local small waves!!!

Gracias Amigos y Amigas!!!

[/quote]
Everyone makes those now, it's your standard modern fish design. I agree with your buds, tell your local shaper you want a board just like a rocket fish but to yoru size.