Advice on second board

[enderbcn]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice to buy a new surfboard. I have been looking in hundreds of forums, reviews and guides but I'm not able to come to a conclusion. I have a board I bought in a trip to Bali, it's an epoxy funboard 6'8" x 21 1/2 x 2 1/2 but unfortunately I had to leave in my country (Spain) and I'm living in New Jersey now. As I don't know when I'm going to get it back I'd like to buy a new one.

I don't want to buy another funboard, and I'm not ready for a short board. I haven't surfed for 6 months. Last time I surfed I was 50% of the time catching waves side-paddling instead of paddling straight and doing some turns. I couldn't duck with that board, although I was not really trying hard (I was focused on catching waves). Duck-diving is something I'd like to learn.

After reading a lot I think the most convenient at this moment to complement the funboard will be a fish but I really don't know what size is good for me. I'm 174 cm and 65 kg intermediate beginner. I think something like 5'10" to 6'2" will be good enough with volume between 30 to 40, but I'm not sure if I will be able to duck dive with that, if it's too short for me and I will not be able to paddle out or if it's going to be too difficult to handle.

I liked the Firewire Go Fish and I wouldn't mind spending $750 on it but I want to be sure it's a good board for my level. I know it's hard to tell just by reading this stuff but I would really appreciate any help, advice or suggestion. If you think the Go Fish is too hard or too fast for my level, would you suggest another board?

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and help

[Big H]

So 6 mos ago on your "too big" funboard you were able to catch half the waves you paddled for, and now you've been dry docked for half a year and want to start again in US east coast summertime mushy & small surf? Correct?

[Big H]

Why is duck diving seen as the holy grail?

[enderbcn]

Yes, that's correct. I became a father and couldn't go out for surfing much at the beginning, that's why the 6 months stop.

I guess duck-diving is something that will help me get out quicker and easily and save energy for paddling waves. Maybe it's still not the time and I have to get to the shortboard stage... I don't know. I've been self-learning a lot.




Note: I just realized there a section for board questions. Sorry for missing it out.

[jaffa1949]

FIXED, welcome and now you are in the surfboard advice section have a read around in regard to the advice you are seeking, by your own description , you are not ready to go shorter nor to a fish, your basic skill set needs to be a lot stronger. Duck diving is also a mixed skill , paddle power, volume, timing reading the ways to get out the back.

Long periods of non surfing set your skills and surf fitness back each time.
My recommendation, stay with what you have and skill up!

[Big H]

Honestly hard to say since beginner intermediate means different things to different people. Also don't know how you got in with the funboard. I was talking to a surfer yesterday who was about one year into the journey.....he told me a good day for him would be three or four waves....dreamed about catching ten waves in a session. I told him without ever seeing him surf that he needed a bigger board than the 6'2" he said he had (roughly 75kg this guy) and that he needed to get ALOT more waves than that in his two to three hour sessions he said he usually took. My advice depends on how well you could surf that funboard, but unless your're catching just about every wave you paddle for (that is within range) and able to go front and backside and cut back going either direction, I would not go smaller than that funboard and would consider going a bit bigger.

[enderbcn]

Hi guys,

I went today to a surf shop to seek more advice. Based on what they told me and your comments it was very clear I was not ready for a fish yet. I didn't want to buy another funboars. While I wait to bring it from Spain I bought a long board 9' that seems something very useful for summer days and something you always have to have for small days. I hope it's fun!!

Just wanted to thank you for your quick advices

[jaffa1949]

Enjoy thoroughly

[Big H]

Good choice!