Getting a Fling... Need help with size.

[GromSized]

Hey everyone. I know this question pops up a lot but I'm stomped and need your help.
Let me start by saying I don't need a new board... I really just want one. -- Quite happy with my current board.
For context, I'm a beginner or maybe middle to late beginner. 5'5, 130lbs, very fit. Current board is a 6'2x 22 1/2 x 2 3/4 42.6li mini longboard, which for my size, could very well be the equivalent to a mal. I have no issues catching waves with it, can turn both ways and surf down the line with it, and, can even evade the shocked surfer or two on super crowded days.
I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole volume thing. I understand 42.6 is a lot of board, infact, it lets me sit above the water but I'm also not sure how far to go down without sacrificing too much of the paddle and early wave catching that I love about my current board.
Waves in my area are knee to waist high wind chop and dumpy closeouts but I plan to travel a few times a year to surf nicer pacific waves. -- Those will range from chest high to head high reef and beach breaks. I'm eyeing the SuperBrand Fling in 5'10 x 20 3/4 x 2 3/4 @36.5li but I'm tempted to go shorter, down to a 5'8 x 20 1/2 x 2 5/8 @ 34.5li or even a 5'6. What do you all suggest? What am I walking into, going down almost 10 liters?
Any insight you guys could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[dtc]

Why the fling? something like a hypto krypto would be a better choice from what you have said, more stable and easier to surf. The fling is described as a take on a 'keel fish', which means its great and fast down the line in good walls, but not really a weekend surfer board or for messy wind chop or closeouts.

Now I'm going only on what the website describes it as, since I've never surfed one. For all I know its nothing like a keel fish in reality.

As to size, you will notice the 10L paddling and catching waves for sure. But the answer isnt necessarily buying a short high volume board - going shorter also makes the board less stable (easier to turn but less stable), makes foot positioning really important (get it wrong by an inch or two and you are off) and various other things. You could look for a lower volume 6'2, for example eg 6'2 x 20 x 2 1/2 (or a 6'2 or 6'1 hypto style); or a more traditionally shortboard shape. Still drop a few litres if that is what you want (but reducing your litres is really a pointless aim, unless you are desperate to duck duck). Packing a lot of volume into a shorter board has drawbacks as well eg its even less stable

Anyway, back to my first question - why the fling? What are you looking for in your board other than lower volume? Why do you want to change boards? Have you considered a lower volume board roughly the same length?

[GromSized]

Sorry fellas, I just realized there's a forum dedicated to folks asking for board advice. My apologies for posting this here. Hopefully a mod can move it to the right place.

[GromSized]

Hey DTC, thanks for chiming in. I really appreciate it.
As mentioned, I don't really have a need for a new board nor am I looking to address anything in my surfing with it. For me, it's more a drop in length that I'm after, with the drop in volume simply being a consequence of chopping off some inches. Surprisingly, I'm able to duck dive my board.--Just needs to be timed perfectly. I obviously don't go under as deep but it's doable.
As for the Fling... I just saw it and liked it. Seemed to me like the parallel outline would lend some stability, plus, I read a review which alluded to it being somewhat cruisy and I thought that was cool.
Thanks for pointing out the fact about shorter, high-volume boards. That's a good point and one I have honestly overlooked being so hesitant to drop so much. For someone my size, weight and ability, what minimum volume would you say I might be able to handle? I'm keen to check out the Hypto and would still like to go shorter than what I currently have.

[GromSized]

Just a follow up question... Since we're talking about HS boards... What are your thoughts on the Plunder?

[Big H]

Honestly, at your stage it doesn't matter too much.


Local waves sound terrible....I'd go with a bigger board even at your size to get the most out of them.

Travel to bigger waves? Head high really isn't big...reef or beach....I'd go longer and bigger rather than shorter and thinner in that you won't have much time on the bigger waves and would want to max your time on the faces.

[dtc]

I dont know anyone with the plunder, but it looks like a pretty good board for what you are after. Now whether what you are after is what I think you should be after is a different point (as Big H pointed out). But if you are wanting to go shorter, but want more of an all round board rather than a pure grovellor, then the plunder looks pretty good.

I suspect, like the hypto (and I know several people with that board), you can go a few inches (maybe 3-4) shorter and still more or less get the same level of performance ie if you are surfing a 6'2, you can go to a 5'10 HK and it works pretty similar. That said, your 6'2 is pretty wide and thick, so going to a 5'10 would be a fair bit of difference.

In any case, if you want a shorter board, given where you are and what waves you are surfing and your current board, then something a bit wider and thicker, like the haydenshape boards are probably the way to go (and there are some firewires of a similar ilk eg greedy beaver; and I'm sure lots of other possibilities)

[GromSized]

Thanks gents, I really appreciate the help. I think I'll put this off for now and expand my search a little.

[caiorocha]

Why choosing the fling? something like a hypto krypto, a lost round nose would be a better choice for you. It's more live, quick response and still have plenty volume.
From what you have said, more stable and easier to surf. The fling is described as a take on a 'keel fish', which means its great and fast down the line in good walls, but not really a weekend surfer board or for messy wind chop or closeouts.
Now I'm going only on what the website describes it as, since I've never surfed one. For all I know its nothing like a keel fish in reality.
As to size, you will notice the 10L paddling and catching waves for sure. On standing up stability as well, but will also be way better on manuverability. You could look for a lower volume 6'2, for example 6'2 x 20 x 2 1/2 (or a 6'2 or 6'1 hypto style); Still drop a few liters. Packing a lot of volume into a shorter board has drawbacks as well its even less stable.
I reckon you can drop volume but not that much.
Cheers
Caio

[OldSalt]

I just picked up a Fling 6.0, 21 wide, 37.5 litres in PU. Under my arm, this board feels like a freaking BOAT! Paddling and under my chest, it feels kinda perfect. I got this as I have put on KGS and am now 82 KGS. My old board at 5'10 29 or 30 litres is great once I take off, but an absolute workout to paddle once there is some water moving.

So I went the 6.0 in order to just get more paddle power. BUT I totally hate to say that I overdid it... I could have gone 5.8 easily. So, my advice is, go smaller than you think you need. Once I had a good look at it, the board packs so much foam up high that you can go a size or two lower than you think. As far as how it goes, It's super smooth. The fat tail block is actually really cool. Stable and goes like a knife through butter. And the board is fast. But I think the 5.8 would have been more responsive for me.