Surfing Waves

Hi all,

I'm after some advice on making the step down from a 9'1 mal and 7'6 minimal to a shorter board. I've been riding both boards pretty consistently since starting out around 18 months ago. I love riding longboards but am looking for something a little smaller to ride in bigger waves - when paddling a mal out feels like you're trying to lug a small boat. Also, I'm keen for a little more manoeuvrability in these type of conditions.

So far, I'm thinking a fish might be the next logical step, but as for size dimensions and any other recommendations, I'd be most grateful for any advice that anyone had to offer.

As for some info that might be useful I'm a 29 year old male who is 6'2 and weighs 90kg (200lb) and will be looking to surf regularly (hopefully every week) down along the Victorian Surf Coast. Current ability wise, I'm able to paddle onto and cut across a wave.. but definitely no nose riding or anything like that at this stage.

The reason a Fish appeals to me is that they look to be a nice free-flowing board.. like surfing videos from back in the 70's. But maybe I've just been watching guys on retro twin-fin fish boards.. and I'm told a twin-fin straight up might not be a good idea because they're a bit harder to control than a tri-fin.

But basically, I'm not that interested in learning how to do cutbacks and that sort of thing so if I can find a shorter board that allows me to move "70's style" when conditions are a bit big for the mal, I'll be very happy.

Cheers,
bfnix1

Fish aren't really made for big waves although they can work on fat waves with a shallow entry - but on steeper waves, they don't have the rocker for the drop, and they don't hold the face at that kind of speed as they're built to be loose. The surf coast isn't known for it's fat gentle waves

Not sure I understand what your problem on big waves with the mal is, and why a smaller board would help

I 2nd this. Surfing fish boards in big steep surf is going to be harder than a hpsb in the same surf.

Just charge!

You are probably after a 'hybrid' style board - sort of a shortboard outline but thicker and wider and suits a more 'relaxed' surfing style than a shortboard. Note that some of these boards are termed 'fish boards' because they have a fish tail; but they are different otherwise to the fish you are talking about (from the 1970s - which are now called 'retro fish')

Just to get you started, a few boards that I know about (but which are not recommendations as such, just to give you an idea of what kind of boards I am talking about and you can then do your own further investigations)

Firewire make a board called 'Addvance' and a more performance orientated one called 'Dominator'. Given your skill level comments plus your size, probably the Addvance is more suitable. Firewire have a big website with lots of info.

The guy who made my board, Grant Miller, makes a board called the 'Waterskate' (google his website). Also have a look at his Powerglide, which is more of a mini mal shape but you can get fairly short (eg down to 6ft). He is based in NSW and is a great guy to deal with (even if his website is a bit odd). The benefit of a shaper (whether Grant or someone else) is that they can tweak their boards for your needs and they are usually no more expensive than something off the shelf (if you are buying new, of course).

McTavish make a board called 'the Carver' which also might be good for you, although friends of mine with that board say it needs a bit of size (2-3ft minimum) to work well.

There are, of course, many many other shapers and boards that are pretty similar; I just mentioned the ones above because they all have websites for you to look at at get some info about.

Also, have a read through this thread

viewtopic.php?f=39&t=21919