Surfing Waves

Hi,
I am 16 years old and have been surfing for 3 years. (about 6 weeks surfing). I have just saved up to buy a board and currently have enough to purchase a torq fish. This has always been the board I have wanted to get but I am starting to have doubts.
I am 5”5 and weigh 55kg and swim competitively so am quite fit.
When I rent I rent a torq funboard in 6”8. I am comfortable on green ways and can turn confidently but find the board is holding me back slightly.
I am considering a torq funboard in 6”8, a torq fish in 6”3, or a gul cross mod fish.
I generally surf in Devon/Cornwall at 2-4ft but want something I could also take on public transport.
Could you give me any advice on either of these models or something else to consider?

ellieswiss wrote:When I rent I rent a torq funboard in 6”8. I am comfortable on green ways and can turn confidently but find the board is holding me back slightly.

How is the funboard holding you back?

What is the maximum size/length board you can take on public transport ?

Hi , buying new boards is one of the most exciting things as a surfer. I've bought around nine now and I think I have really tapped in to what works well for me.

I live in Cornwall so the first thing I will recommend is VOLUME. The beauty of knowing the volume is that you can go pretty short (if you want) as long as you have the volume that works for you. I'm 6 foot and 13.5 stone so 37 litres is the lowest volume that works well for me.

There are plenty of online volume calculators around so have a look.

The majority of Cornish days are cross/onshore with swell from 2-6ft, so you want a board that will pick up waves. For the slacker days I use my retro twin fin (go to Custard Point in Newquay if you can - great prices and sound advice. I told the guy in there exactly what my issues were with my current board and he gave me a board that did exactly what he said it would).

I have:

5'11" retro fish
6' retro fish
6'2" Thruster
6'5" Thruster
7'9" Mid length Foil single fin
7'9 Mini mal (wider than the foil)
9'2" Longboard.......

I usually take the 5'11, 6'2 & the 7'9 in the car and one of them is always perfect for typical cornish conditions.

To narrow it down for you, go with your hunch, you will find that your board will work differently in different conditions and you may learn to adapt your technique to suit. But the important thing is to catch waves, so get the right volume and some width in the tail and you will learn what you prefer over the years.

Enjoy!