Advanced Beginner - Transition from Fish to Shortboard

[mikhail]

Hi

I took surfing up about 6 months ago and have been riding a 6'6 fish (Bondi Surf Co.) with plenty of volume. I used to surf when I was a teenager on a 5'10 Chilli but recently took it up again, point being I picked it up a little faster within than one would expect.

I'm 5'10/11 and weigh 80kg (courtesy of beer).

I surf Sydney eastern suburbs, mostly Maroubra or bondi. I am finding that my 6'6 fish is limiting me a little on waves. I can catch easily however am finding the board isn't giving me enough speed or manoeuvrability.

So, I am looking for a shortboard to take me to the next level. Does anyone have any good recommendations? I am not looking to break the bank. maybe around 6'3 or 6'4, depth of over 2'1/2, width of over 18'1/2.

Does this sound reasonable or should I go with more volume?

Any help is appreciated.

[drowningbitbybit]

I used to surf Maroubra a lot before I moved up to the GC and I did find that a fish was a bit limiting on anything but the smallest days due to the steep fast nature of the beachie (...I hated maroubra... it was my local, but I hated it... snapped too many boards there...)

So anyway, moving to a shortboard is no bad idea. However, I would say to stick with some volume otherwise you may end up taking the beachie waves too late and just getting a pounding into the sand

Also, at 80kg, 18 1/2" is going to be way too narrow. Look around for something like 6'4 x 20 1/2 x 2 3/4, but with proper rocker and rails.

I'd give you the name of my shaper in Sydney, but the bugger retired!