Something Fishy Here

[Jripper53]

Hey guys. Looking for some board buying advice. I've been eyeing up a shorter board for a while now after getting pretty proficient on my current 8'6 Torq longboard over the past year. I'm catching most the waves I paddle for and am trimming down the line, performing small turns. I love my LB and am going to keep it, but I'm ready for something a little more lively and responsive. The board I'm after is a Torq mod fish. It seems like the right dimensions and still holds a lot of volume for its size. I was looking for a 7'2 (52 liters) but none of the surf shops here in Florida have the fish in that size and can't seem to get them in stock due to supplier shortage. Just today though, I found out the closest dealer has a 6'10 (46 liters) in stock and is offering me 10% off the purchase price ($399 down to $360) after he heard I would need to drive quite a distance to get there. This is the next size step down in the Torq fish lineup, they do not make a 7'0. My question is: do you think an extra 4" drop in length would make that big of a difference? Should I hold off and just keep searching for the 7'2 instead? Or should I just snatch it up and take advantage of a good deal? I've attached a couple pictures of the board below sent to me from the shop owner. If it helps, I am 5'10, 170lbs in good fitness. Thanks in advance for any advice, I would really appreciate it!

[waikikikichan]

I wouldn't recommend it since 6'10" is even more than a one foot drop down from your 8'6". Even a 7'6" will be a challenge, if you're not used to steep drop take offs and can't do back side cutbacks currently on your 8'6".

[waikikikichan]

Wait, what ever happened to the 7'2" NSP funboard you had ? How did you do on that for paddling, taking off and turning ?

[Jripper53]

Waikikichan I used the NSP for a few sessions in really windy, choppy conditions at a beach noone ever surfed. I had no knowledge of the local surf break yet. The water was grayish green and angry. The waves were totally disorganized and I had no idea what I was doing. Needless to say the only wave I caught was 4 ft of shorebreak that slammed me down, held me under for a couple seconds, then tossed the board into me. If nothing else, I learned not to be afraid. I then decided to sell it and switch to my current 8'6, found the beach with actual surfable waves and never looked back. So the moral of the story is I really don't have much to write home with about with the NSP for you. I felt like I could paddle it OK and feel confident I would be able to catch waves with it and pop up now, although none as easily as with my LB of course. What would happen after the pop up remains a mystery to me. One thing that has become habit now is popping up at critical points in the wave because the waves at the jetties tend to break quick and many closeout completely. Also all the waves are right handlers. Being a goofy footer, I have essentially learned how to surf backside... for better or worse. Backside cutbacks I have not reached that level yet.