Surfing Waves

Good morning from San Francisco!

I have been thinking about buying the Puddle Fish as my next board but heard mixed opinions re. how suitable it is for an early intermediate. I have been surfing for 2 years on a 8'0 fun board and feel very comfortable with all the basics (catching any waves, riding down the line, even turning on bigger angles). I want to progress but would like to preserve the ability to catch a good number of waves and have fun.

Thoughts?

Thank you so much!

I've put some comments below, but the main question is: why do you think this board is the right one for you?

My comments - without knowing your thoughts:

What size are you thinking of getting - that said, I think the biggest they have is 6'4, which is probably too short for your level

The puddle fish is designed as a small wave 'grovellor' board. That means its fast and unstable (also called 'manoeuvrability', but that just means unstable). It wont generate its own speed, you will need to pump it and be able to use the face and speed of the wave - not something most beginners can do; you are just starting to turn, you dont want a board that requires turning just to keep it going.You will need to have your foot placement pretty spot on.

While the bigger puddle fish seem fairly large and voluminous, they are designed primarily to be surfed as sub 6ft boards, but if you happen to be a big person (like 220lb+) then you go for a bigger board. The big versions are not designed to be easier to surf boards for lower level skills; they are beefed up short boards designed for bigger people

In short...I dont think its the best choice. You would be much better off going for something closer to 7ft, either a fun board or a hybrid board. As a cheap option, look at the Torq boards, but there are plenty of others.

How's your Backside Cutback ? Why ? If you can't do a Backside Cutback, then you are not ready for a Grovellor. I would go down in 6 inch increments. So maybe a 7'6" hybrid.

Try to borrow or rent a board the size you're looking at. That's the best way to find out.

Thank you for your comments!

@dtc, I felt it was a good option because it has a reasonable volume, reviews say it is actually fairly stable and, most importantly, because I want to challenge myself to learn how to ride more interesting boards. I definitely understand your points, but I keep thinking that switching to a medium-sized board will not make such a big difference, given how comfortable I am at a 8' board -- which means I would be basically delaying progress. Does that make sense at all or am I missing something?

Thanks!
Amadeus

dtc wrote:I've put some comments below, but the main question is: why do you think this board is the right one for you?

My comments - without knowing your thoughts:

What size are you thinking of getting - that said, I think the biggest they have is 6'4, which is probably too short for your level

The puddle fish is designed as a small wave 'grovellor' board. That means its fast and unstable (also called 'manoeuvrability', but that just means unstable). It wont generate its own speed, you will need to pump it and be able to use the face and speed of the wave - not something most beginners can do; you are just starting to turn, you dont want a board that requires turning just to keep it going.You will need to have your foot placement pretty spot on.

While the bigger puddle fish seem fairly large and voluminous, they are designed primarily to be surfed as sub 6ft boards, but if you happen to be a big person (like 220lb+) then you go for a bigger board. The big versions are not designed to be easier to surf boards for lower level skills; they are beefed up short boards designed for bigger people

In short...I dont think its the best choice. You would be much better off going for something closer to 7ft, either a fun board or a hybrid board. As a cheap option, look at the Torq boards, but there are plenty of others.

I delayed my progress by probably a couple of years by buying a board too small. Had to go back to a bigger board, but then I started to get a lot of waves again (and to have fun again;-) )

aorleans wrote:Thank you for your comments!
but I keep thinking that switching to a medium-sized board will not make such a big difference, given how comfortable I am at a 8' board -- which means I would be basically delaying progress. Does that make sense at all or am I missing something?

Here is something to think about. By dropping the length of your board, you move your takeoff point for waves closer to the plunging line. If you drop the length far enough, you may often (depending on the wave) have to take off under or close to a plunging lip of a wave. How ready are you to get up close and personal with the plunge line of a wave?

aorleans wrote: but I keep thinking that switching to a medium-sized board will not make such a big difference, given how comfortable I am at a 8' board -- which means I would be basically delaying progress. Does that make sense at all or am I missing something?

1) Could you explain more in detail "being comfortable" on your 8" board ? You still haven't answered my question I posed to you earlier, so I guess you're fine doing backside cutbacks. I think when you start getting "uncomfortable", like trying to lay the board over and an engage the rail earlier and quicker, THEN it's time to move down in size.
2) Delay your progress ? Progress to what ? To a smaller board or to being a better surfer ?
In my opinion, you'll be handicapping your progress if you go down in size too early

Approach other sports with the same mindset.
Why go to Varsity or College football, just go straight to the NFL straight from the JV.
Why go to a 500cc or 750cc. , just go straight to a Yamaha R1 1000cc straight from your 250 rebel.
Why go to 175lbs. or 250lbs., just go straight to 300lbs. since you're comfortable lifting 100lbs.

You'll need quicker reaction times, more power, more technique. But who knows you may be that one in a million that can do it. But most likely you'll find out you're Over enthusiastic, Under experience, Ill informed and another one falling for manufacturer's marketing.

By the way, you going to get a Quad fin set up ?

Let me just say that I notice a difference between a 7'4 board and a 6'10 board. Nothing too significant admittedly, but enough of a difference to be noticeable and to require adjustment. Going from 8ft to 6 ft you arent just going shorter, you are going to an entirely different way of surfing. Different paddling, takeoff, pop up, speed, turning - you name it, its all different.

See if you can rent a board - any board - that is 6ft something and give it a go. Most surf areas have rental boards, you might need to hunt them down but they are usually there.

By all means buy the board you want; you dont want to buy the board that we (as people who have never seen you surf) suggest and spend your time annoyed at us. And if that board works for you, brilliant. If it doesnt, then you know what to do next - I guess arguably if you buy a longer board first and then a short board, it wont cost you any more than buying a short board first and then a long board. In dollar terms at least; it may cost you a lot more time.

Here's a 6'2" Puddle Fish on Oahu Craigslist. Selling price is $700. Not sure the price where you're at. But notice what the seller says "Used a few times, but decided that riding a short board is not for me." Makes you go Hmmmmmmm ?

Thank you all for the valuable input!