Short Board Width

[DylanRuebenstahl]

Hi,
I've recently started to short board, and got a new board the other day. The board is 5'9" x 19.85" x 2.8"
Will this board be easy and fun to surf? I am 5'11" and 145 lbs. On a scale from 1 to 10 i would consider myself to be a 6. Pls respond soon because I only have so long to make up my mind on whether to keep it or not
P.S. - I am mostly worried on the stability of the board.

Thanx in advance - Dylan

[drowningbitbybit]

On a scale from 1 to 10 i would consider myself to be a 6.

With 1 as a complete newbie, and 10 as Kelly Slater, I would say a 6 could competently surf at overhead+, do pretty much any type of turn, and basically be very very good...
Also, a 6 doesn't need to ask about whether they could surf a board.

Not having a dig - just trying to work out where you are in the pecking order. What's your level of experience and skill?

I've recently started to short board, and got a new board the other day. The board is 5'9" x 19.85" x 2.8" Will this board be easy and fun to surf? I am 5'11" and 145 lbs.

No. To surf a board that is significantly shorter than you are requires either a great deal of skill, or for the board to be very wide and thick (like an old-school fish). That board is not particularly wide, so will feel unstable.
It is peculiarly thick for a narrow-ish board though - not sure how well it would surf with anybody on it

Put a picture of the board up - it might be okay to surf, depending on its shape. If its a 'proper' shortboard, then "No" about covers it, but it might be okay if it's very rounded front and back, with a flattish rocker.

[jaffa1949]

If you have the board surf it, we really don't know your ability. Asking a question like this makes me think you are overestimating your abilities .

At level you should be able to assess your needs and the boards that suit.

[oldmansurfer]

I guess it is normal to feel like a shorter board is unstable because THEY ARE!!!! That is why people love shortboards, they fly all over the place. If you are worried that you can't control it don't be so worried. That means you are catching waves with it which is allready better than lots of people when they switch to a shorter board. Don't run anyone over but if you can catch waves you can learn to control it. But if you are having trouble catching waves then maybe you need to rethink it (or not, it's a matter of time spent in the water catching waves)

[waikikikichan]

The board is 5'9" x 19.85" x 2.8"
"Will this board be easy and fun to surf? " - Easy-r than a 5'8" x 18.85 x 2.2" Fun ? Can't see the shape, the tail, the fin set up

"On a scale from 1 to 10 i would consider myself to be a 6." - Cool, you're as good as most of us on the forum ( or better ! )

Pls respond soon because I only have so long to make up my mind on whether to keep it or not - So it's a used board from a friend ?

"I am mostly worried on the stability of the board". - All boards are stable. Shapers don't make a wobbly model. It's the rider who is unstable. Maybe on a double over head wave you may not want to take a 5'2" twin-fish. What size wave and where's the break you want to surf this 5'9" at ? What is your current board's dimensions ?

[asilomarsurfer]

I wish I were a 6! Sounds like fun.