Surfing Waves

Hi , I am looking to buy a new board and had a few questions for the experts on this blog. I currently do not own a board and have been renting for the past 3 years, this year i got pretty serious about surfing and must have rented close to 20 times ( costed me an arm and a leg) . I started with with a 8'6 nsp, and am currently on a 7'6 nsp. I pretty much fell in love with this sport and think I am in it for the long hall. I surf the 7'6 pretty comfortably and am able to ride 4-5 green waves with minimal turning , I am looking to buy a board and would like some guidance into what to buy . Do I stick with a 7'6 or can i get a shorter pintail or fish? I eventually want to ride a short board .

It sounds like you are working your way down in size fairly quickly. I would try to rent or borrow a 6'10"-7'0" board and see how you do. It takes a while to get good enough to ride a shortboard, but if you are determined and willing to put in the work it will happen. I would probably buy a used board for your next board if it is going to be a transitional board. Also if you can use a friends shorter board that can tell you a lot, as everyones skill level is different. The fish is a great transitional board as well. easy to catch waves, easy to turn and lots of fun. If you go with the fish, maybe start around 6'6". Good luck!

tony g wrote:It sounds like you are working your way down in size fairly quickly. I would try to rent or borrow a 6'10"-7'0" board and see how you do. It takes a while to get good enough to ride a shortboard, but if you are determined and willing to put in the work it will happen. I would probably buy a used board for your next board if it is going to be a transitional board. Also if you can use a friends shorter board that can tell you a lot, as everyones skill level is different. The fish is a great transitional board as well. easy to catch waves, easy to turn and lots of fun. If you go with the fish, maybe start around 6'6". Good luck!

From 7'6 you can go down into big shortboard territory for your next board. Remember that the most important thing for you is width, 6" of length is neither here nor there, but 2" of width makes a big difference.

Thanx guys for your replies, I live in NYC and surf the rockaways and there isn't much of a surfing community here to pickup tips from locals. So just to be clear, I should be fine with a 7'2-7'6 fun board or just the same with a wider longer fish? Do they progress the same in regards to turning into the wave and actually riding it out? Everyone is always swearing by using a fun board as a transitional board and seem to indicate to steer clear of fish boards.Thoughts?

davebod wrote: Everyone is always swearing by using a fun board as a transitional board and seem to indicate to steer clear of fish boards.Thoughts?

I second that. Despite the fact that they're bouyant, fish are really not suitable for beginners or as a transition board.

If you're comfortable on a 7'6 mini-mal, you could jump to a funboard or big shortboard without too much drama.
I'd aim at 7'x 21" x 2"3/4 with a proper funboard shape (ie like a shortboard, but carrying a bit more volume in the front). It'll be a world away from a mini-mal, but easy enough that you'll soon be making big progress with it.

Thanx , i guess you mean something like the channel island waterhog or a McTavish Carver at 7'0, I think I'm going to go for one of those are try to find one used , thanks guys for all your help