Beginner Shortboard Advice

[pjgazele]

Before you quickly convince me this is the bad way to go... Is there such a thing as a high quality beginner shortboard, particularly for athletic, tall people? I've read a lot of literature about such a board not really being out there, nor recommended. That unless you're blessed to live next to waves and can surf everyday, that you really should go to mid length or crossover next....But for someone not necessarily starting from complete scratch, who can catch chest high waves and can stand up on unbroken wave on a longboard, does such a beginner shortboard exist for tall guy? Perhaps one that one can also keep around for a long time?

[Tudeo]

In that case u would be looking at something not too short, like under 6'6, wide, thick and with a lot of volume. But not go for a small wave board, a so called groveller, cos they are for more advanced surfers.
Also please understand a shorter board is A LOT more difficult, in all aspects of surfing compared to a longboard.
But just to give u an example, look at the Firewire Addvance 6'6, that's about the closest u can get to what ur looking for. The beauty of that board is it's relative ease of surfing and it's incredible performance range if u combine it with the right fins. Goodluck, u'll need it

[dtc]

Why do you want a short board?

And what do you mean by a shortboard?

if you really really wanted it, despite advice, then you can get fun boards or egg shaped boards around 6'6 or (preferably) 6'8 or so. For example, the Torq 6'8 modfun or hybrid or 6'10 modfish (or even 6'6 I guess, if you wanted to push it). The Addvance is also a big wide board, although if you wanted a shorter board, then I really suggest something like the modfun rather than the Addvance (less curved outline, lower nose rocker etc)

But dont think that because you can surf a longboard to some extent you can just hop onto one of these boards. Sure you might be able to successfully catch and stand up 2 or 3/10 times straight away, but moving from 3/10 to 8/10 isnt a short term proposition.

[waikikikichan]

Is there such a thing as a high quality beginner shortboard, particularly for athletic, tall people? I've read a lot of literature about such a board not really being out there, nor recommended.

(First I’m not a troll and want to crush your dream. I will give you my opinion, which you might not like)
Question: what is the difference between a HIGH-quality short board and a LOW-quality surf board ? Is it price ? Is it materials like carbon-fiber ? Can a low-quality board perform under foot ( your foot ) as well as a high-quality board ? Is being scene carrying a high-quality board down the beach more “cool” than carrying a low-quality board or Costco Wavestorm?
You have to ask yourself the same question but replace shortboard with SHOE or HAMMER. Are there high-quality shoes ? Will high-quality shoes make you able to dunk or do cross-over dribbles ? Will a high-quality hammer not smash your thumb as a low-quality hammer ?

Question #2. Are you rich ? If not, would it be okay to spend the big bucks on the next next board ?

[waikikikichan]

Perhaps one that one can also keep around for a long time?

Surfboards are fragile. High performance short boards with high performance light glassing are even more. Expect about 5 years max before the Poly/PU short board loses its “pop” / liveliness. But again like shoes, when you wear down the sole or the stitching comes apart, you go buy another one. Surfboards are a TOOL, use it till it breaks, then get another one. Even if you take care of your stuff ( and don’t wear your shoes out in the rain or dirt ) what you going to do when some beginner Kook drops in on you and runs his fins across the deck of your expensive high-quality surfboard ?

Choose 2 out of 3. Light , Strong , Cheap.
Light is probably high performance.
Strong is probably high quality.
Cheap is probably low price.
If the board is strong and cheap, it won’t be light
If the board is light and cheap, it won’t be strong.
If the board is light and strong, it won’t be cheap.

[pjgazele]

Why shortboard? I don't know... more mobile than a longboard. I guess I like the concept of being able to duck dive vs. turtle roll. I love my longboard, just have interest in trying something a bit new. Doesn't have to be drastically new. I'll check out the Torg modfun. I'm about 178 and 6'3". I've talked to a few folks about the Addvance. Not sure I want to go there. Two others have caught my attention, perhaps something in between a shortboard and hybrid - the Firewire Greedy Beaver and the Lost Crowd Killer. Those two boards I can go in the 7' -ish range. I didn't intend to offend anyone with the "high quality" comment, and I'm not rich. My choice of high quality was really meant to refer to as "from a good shaper". Thanks.

[jaffa1949]

Rest easy , your needs won't offend anybody giving advice here!
We have seen many many thoughts on going short as a beginner and our responses are to advise what might work!
Short can done, there are dogs of surfboards out there under the guise of being suitable for all surfs.
Surprisingly long can do all , short requires a different skill set!
Have a look at what is offered, if you get a test ride on something you fancy, great! Probably won't be pretty but you may get a feel for it.

[RinkyDink]

Surf Simply recommends the Pumpkin Seed design.

https://surfsimply.com/surfboards/pumpkin-seeds/

I've never surfed on one, but I figure their advice is worth paying attention to. Making progress in surfing, in my opinion, involves a lot of repetition. If you're trying out a shortboard for the first time, then I'd look for a shortboard that is as popup friendly as possible because that's the first place you'll begin getting shortboard experience (I might consider a board with a wider tail). I don't have enough knowledge to really give you good advice, however. Good luck.

[dtc]

FWIW, in their latest podcast the Surf Simply guys say that all their student boards are now Torq boards (apart from a few specialist boards like noseriders). The Torq boards are said to be great all rounders - not high performance specialist in one thing boards, so perfect for what they need in the camp

[waikikikichan]

But for someone not necessarily starting from complete scratch, who can catch chest high waves and can stand up on unbroken wave on a longboard, does such a beginner shortboard exist for tall guy?

I understand that you can stand on your longboard, BUT can you do a Bottom Turn and Trim across the face of the wave ? Without being able to do those basics, getting a shortboard will be very frustrating.

Your question is if a beginner shortboard exist. Shortboards are for high-performance surfing in high-performance waves. If you are not at that higher performing level and the waves at your break aren't clean and rippable, then it would better to progress from your Longboard, to Funboard to bigFish / Hybrid THEN LASTLY to a shortboard.

Why shortboard? I don't know... more mobile than a longboard. I guess I like the concept of being able to duck dive vs. turtle roll.

Being able to duckdive but not able to catch the wave or control the board once you get out to the peak defeats the purpose of getting a shortboard.

[pjgazele]

Ok, ok... I guess it doesn't exist.. I'm a tall guy at 178. I'll look to get a Firewire Seaxe, Torq Mod Fun, Lib Tech Pickup Stick, Bing Collector or something like that in the 7'6" range (mid 50s volume). Try to transition through time... Thanks all.

[ConcreteVitamin]

Ok, ok... I guess it doesn't exist.. I'm a tall guy at 178. I'll look to get a Firewire Seaxe, Torq Mod Fun, Lib Tech Pickup Stick, Bing Collector or something like that in the 7'6" range (mid 50s volume). Try to transition through time... Thanks all.

If you're looking at Torq, look at Torq Big Boy as well

[waikikikichan]

I bought my wife a NSP 7'10" Fun board for her to surf the beachbreaks we have here. It would be perfect for you at 2 feet over your head as you are 178cm / 5'10". But sadly it's not in there line up anymore. The next size down is a 7'6" at 54.4 liters. You might also want to check that brand / model out too.

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She just used it yesterday. Air temperature was 6 degrees celsius.