Buying a Shortboard - Advice Please

[a3033305]

Am thinking of buying a shortboard at the beginning of next year and, as I am completely ignorant, would be appreciative of some advice. I dont have many friends who surf and live quite far from the beach I surf at, so don't have the chance to talk about suitable boards.

I am currently surfing a 7'8" mini-mal and want to get something that is a bit more of a challenge + better for the big days.

I am 6'1" and about 12 stone and the conditions where I surf range from about 3' - 8'

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Dopey]

[d3ad1y]

whats your experience like? Because if your experienced and know the ropes then you can go alot shorter and thinner than is recommender for someome of your size.... youd also rip alot better

[wizzywig]

Hey there,

well to be honest - stay away from 'shortboards'. No offense but when you're ready for one you'll have enough experience (and wisdom) to buy one. I dont mean that in a mean way, its just that I've had 'years' of experience of selling boards.

Moving on...

To keep things brief, the best step after you've mastered the minimal (bare in mind that minimals will 'go' in larger surf too), move onto a funboard. Usually you'll drop around 6 inches in length. So I'd say a 7'2" would be risk free. A board like this would still have the volume you 'need' to catch waves, and have the stability to steady you on take off. However it'll feel waaaaay livelier under your feet and you'll be able to turn the board easier, so on and so forth.

For the least risk (remember everyones different and there's no golden rule), I'd go second hand. You'll never lose out either way.

happy surfing and good luck

Wizzy

[phaseonesurf]

Excellent Advice guys...
You should check out a hybrid, its an excellent transition board

[drowningbitbybit]

Just to add my thoughts, as Im a pretty similar size to you...

I'd not go with a 'proper' shortboard just yet, and go for the intermediate funboard shape. About 7'2 or 7'4 should be about right. I dropped from a mini-mal to a 7'4 funboard which I still use regularly as its so forgiving in almost all conditions, and it was always a lot more fun and challenging than a mini-mal.
After a year or two on that, dropping to a shortboard isnt a problem.

On an intermediate you can also learn what your own style is and so get that perfect shortie a bit later. Struggling on a 6' shortboard wont teach you a lot - and it wont even be fun!

[Dopey]

[flex639]

i've only had shortboards, ever since i started surfing, accesionally surfing my brothers longboard, but for a begginner short board look into something that is wide and thick, this will let you cut right through mushy waves and its more boyant so it makes it mucc easier to paddle