shortboard type question

[asw222]

I transitioned down to a shortboard, after learning on a fish and the shortboard I ride is 6'0 al merrik dumpster diver. Ive been using it for about a year, is transitioning to something like a 6'3 lost shortboard gonna be difficult at all?
Basically is a regular shortboard harder to ride than a like 'speciality' shortboard?

[tony g]

If you are talking about a really thin and narrow high performance shortboard then the answer is yes. The pro models are made for experienced surfers and can be very difficult to ride for beginner to inetermediate surfers. They also really come to life when the surf is good. That is why you see a lot of good surfers riding wider fuller out lined boards in the smaller or mushier waves, then bring out their high performance boards when the waves are good. With that said you should still give it a try. Who knows, You may love it and be stoked. The higher performance boards go from rail to rail much quicker and are way more responsive!

[asw222]

Can you explain to me why it will be harder, just because of width? I always thought shorter boards are more challenging.

[tony g]

High performance short boards are more difficult to ride for a few reasons. They are narrower and thinner so do not have much flotation which makes it more difficult to catch the wave. . If you watch an experienced surfer on a high performance shortboard they make it look effortlessly, because they take off where the wave is steeper, and get to their feet quickly and smoothly, and have developed their timing to be able to do this. Another reason they are harder to ride is they can be very unstable. Most of that is from the fact that they are narrower and thinner and do not have much foam with them. Again to an experienced shortboard surfer the thinner narrower boards are much more lively, responsive and quick into turns, and experienced surfers like that feel.
I think if you have been riding a 6'0" Dumpster diver you may be ready. Just keep at it, and don't get discouraged just because it is more difficult. Try to take off in the more critical part of the wave where you still can make the drop, steep enough to where the wave will let you in without having to paddle like a mad man. Also keep your nose down and do not be to far back on your board when catching waves, as this can cause your board to push water, and make it harder to get your board sliding down the face of the wave.

Good luck and let me know how you do!

[asw222]

Thankyou for all the info.
I will probably practice over winter some more with the dumpster diver working on taking off in more critical areas of the wave because that sounds like a big part of going higher performance then hopefully upgrade by the spring. Thanks alot