When to switch to a short board?

[Scott]

Hey everybody, this is my first post. I've been surfing for about two months now, and my board is a 7'10" epoxy mini-mal (great to learn on, easy to ride, indestructible). I can catch waves and popup without a problem, and I'm getting turning down pretty well. I took the middle fin off to make the tail a little looser, and that's made my board faster and easier to turn.

While I'm having fun with my board, I'd eventually like to transition to a shortboard and save the 7-10 for smaller, mushier days. For one thing I'd like to duck dive and get out to the lineup as easily as the other surfers seem to do it at my break. My board is easy to paddle in flat water, but man, you can't do anything but turtle when a big wave breaks in front of you! It'd be nice to be able to duck under that whitewater. Also, I'd like to start learning tricks and such.

Is it much harder to get up on a shortboard? I know I won't be able to catch the same small waves that I can with my 7-10, but assuming the waves are powerful enough, how much more difficult will it be for me to surf something in the 6-7 foot range? Is there anything I'll need to do differently?

My wife has a nice 6'6" fish that I might take out. I tried it once and it sank under me, but that was on a pretty small wave. I only weigh like 160, so judging by what everyone else is surfing around here, it should be big enough for me.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

[sinistapenguin]

Hi

Since you've got the basics down, you will probably find that it isn't that hard to get up on a smaller board. If your wife will let you try her fish, give that a go.

Board choice is always a matter of personal choice. If you feel ready for a shorter board or you feel like you're pushing the limits of what your current board, then you should think about switching.

I've just switched from a 6'6 thruster to a 7'5 minimal. - you may find that a cutom 7'10 would be good - you'd be able to duckdive it and still catch the waves.

It's all about personal preference. Try your wife's board and see how it feels.

Cheers

Sinista

[surf patrol]

Hi Scott, welcome to Surfing Waves.
Going to a shorter board is natural progression. Once you are surfing well on your minimal and are comfortable standing, going left and right, turning and keeping up speed you are ready for a smaller board. At 160 pounds a 6'6'' shortboard should be fine. You will find it harder to catch waves at first and you'll find you have to work the board harder but it's the next step in your surfing progression.
Definately try our your wifes board and make sure that you are comfortable in surfing it. Rememeb, it will be quite a bit different to surfing your regular board so give it a few sessions to see if you like it.

[kieran]

wish id learned to do all that in 2 months

[Scott]

wish id learned to do all that in 2 months

My job lets me surf several times a week, so I've been practicing hard in those two months. My wife's a good surfer, too (although a bit rusty now) and helped me out with the basics.

Well, today I took the fish out. Unfortunately, the waves were about knee-high. Fortunately, that board rips! It's very floaty for its size, and it's very fast. I was actually able to ride the little stuff today. It was easier to get up on the fish than I thought it would be. I can't wait until the swell builds again!

I definitely had to paddle much harder to catch the waves than before, and I couldn't just stand up and ride like my minimal lets me. I had to lean forward and work that thing to keep from stalling out. But I still had alot of fun despite the wave size. Hopefully the wind will pick up and the waves will actually get big enough to try a bottom turn on the fish next time.

Thanks for the advice, everybody! I'll keep you posted on my progress.