Surfing Waves

So I've gotten a lot better over the past year and can surf my 8ft soft top nicely down the line. I'm am looking for a new board. I would like a shortboard where I can progress and learn easily. I have no idea on what size or type to get. Please help, I am 15. 5'7" 120lbs

Get the longest widest board you are willing to buy...

You will find there is a considerable difference between an 8ft softboard and a shortboard. However, if you read up around here on those issues (do a search for 'first board' or 'short board') and you are willing to put in the time and effort and deal with the frustrations etc, then go for it.

Personally I encourage you to get a funboard around 7ft (eg 6ft10) but I don't know its what you are wanting to get. The reason is that this allows an easier transition from your current board; you surf the funboard for say a year or maybe less (depending on frequency) and then get a shortboard. If you are surfing less than once per week then I double my encouragement

But if you dont want this and want something a bit more like a shortboard, have a look at 'hybrid' boards like the firewire addvance/dominator or the 7S XL superfish - not to get necessarily (although both are good choices; but expensive) but to see the style and shape being discussed. Sometimes also called 'fish' boards; another option is the 'egg' shape. They are all wide around the chest area, fairly thick, flattish rocker.

If you go for a standard 'high performance shortboard', with narrow pointy noise, thinner, lots of rocker etc, you may find it very hard to catch waves. But if you surf a lot (2-3X per week) then you should be able to get to your current standard (catching waves, going down the line etc) within a few months and then start advancing beyond.

Volume bro, go with the right volume board for your self. Talk to a local shaper man. Proctor surfboards is also another board to look into, dude makes boards custom for a good price.

Ok many thanks, I think I will hold off a little longer but will probably get a 6'4" fish with 40litres of floatation when I'm comfortable