Thickness?

[collaboration]

Is the thickness of the board only related with buoyancy? Does it also effect the turning ability?

If I'm downsizing, what's a good size? I've been riding 9'1" x 22 3/4" x 3 3/8"

I'm looking at this second hand board - size 6'8" x 22" x 3 3/8" with flat base.

How would this be? I'm roughly 180 pounds. Should I be looking at something narrower and thinner? I ride about twice a week if it matters..

[pandarturo]

What you're looking at is probably an egg. Super floaty and fun, I think that would be the perfect step down!

[collaboration]

I just searched for an egg board and I should have been more descriptive.

The board I'm looking at has a pointy nose, wide middle and swallow tail.

What would be the next step down board after progressing on this board? May be I'm looking too far ahead lol

[dtc]

Do you know the brand/model? Is it something like this

http://www.annesleysurfboards.com/flying-fish/

Its a pretty big jump from 9ft1 to 6ft8, I certainly dont think narrower or shorter is what to look for. If you surf twice a week then I'm sure you will figure out the new board eventually (or you may find it very easy).

Thick boards cram more volume into a smaller space, so you get the benefits of volume (easier to paddle, able to ride less powerful waves) but also the disadvantages (harder to duck dive). These boards are not designed for big waves (say 4ft+) if that is an issue for you; they are generally designed to be the short board alternative for smaller/weaker days (ie for people who dont want to go on longer boards - instead of going longer and getting the volume, its packed into a small thick board). That said, they should be perfectly fine for a general board.

[collaboration]

Yes, it looks like the flying fish. Not sure about the brand, I have to go and have a look again.

The salesperson was keen to sell it to me.

I wasn't too sure if i wanted a thick and wide board.

The flying fish in 6'8 is for 100kg+ in beginner level.

But if this is a good first shorter board, I will deinitely go for it.

My local beach varies from 1-4 feet and 4-8 feet depending on weather.

[dtc]

What level of surfer are you? A flying fish isnt really a beginner's board, no matter what the manufacturer might say. I mean, its not the worst board for a beginner, but its certainly not the 'best'.

But if you feel you have 'mastered' the longboard (stick 90%+ of pop ups, bottom turns etc) then its an ok board to move to (again, not necessarily the 'best' in the short run, but not terrible in the long term if you are surfing frequently enough)

[collaboration]

With my current longboard, the basic skills are no issues - pop-ups and turns.

I'm looking at downsizing to learn to do more aggressive turns. My next focus will be on learning more advanced and aggressive turns. Also the duck diving...

I'm really looking for a good first short board to make a smooth transition. Ideally I want to get a board that I can keep for a long term.

[Rickyroughneck]

In my experience, volume doesn't affect the surfing to a huge extent, at least compared to length and width (of course, others will disagree).

It is essentially a question of paddle power vs duck divability (new word).

[drowningbitbybit]

In my experience, volume doesn't affect the surfing to a huge extent, at least compared to length and width (of course, others will disagree).

Oh okay, I'll chime in just to prove you right
I think thickness makes quite a big difference to how a board surfs and feels - a 3" thick longboard is supposed to glide on the water, but a shorter board should dig into the water and if it gets too thick (3"+, less if you're a more proficient rider (which I'm not)), it bobs about on top of the water and doesn't engage with the face etc.

So I think it depends on whether you want a short longboard or a long shortboard feel, if you follow me

Personally, I'd rather add a bit of length to a board, a very small amount of width (22" is already way above my comfort zone), but keep the thickness at around 2 3/4".

[MORE]

you change anything on a board and it makes a difference, there is so many variables and the trick is to get them all right, very hard to do...even when attempting to replicate a board, they never surf exactly the same...thickness ( or rather volume ) definitely makes a difference to the way a board surfs...I think volume is the most important thing in a surfboard....