Need advice for a new surfboard!

[isaaac]

Hey, im new to this fourm so idk if this is the right area for this topic but anyways i am 16 years old in San Diego and i have been riding a wavestorm 8 footer for about 7 months now i can catch anywave from ankle to a couple times of stomach high and i feel like im ready to upgrade to a shorter board but idk how short i should go my friends tell me i should go to 5'5 but thats a HUGE!! difference! I was thinking maybe a 6'4, Width 20', thinkness 2 3/4", with a squash tail and a volume of anywhere from 36-42?? Any advice/recommendations would be great! thanks!

age: 16
weight: 155
height: 5'8
beaches I surf: Imperial Beach SS/NS, Ocean Beach, Sunset Cliffs, and Tourmaline/Old Man's
all in the 1-5ft range
Surfing level: idk? between novice and intermediate
how often i surf: everyday during breaks, school days 5-7 days outta the week
I got the dimensions based off a surfboard i saw in a store, i also found it online here is a link to it, i cant afford this one but anything like it would it be suitable for me?
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/surfb ... bby_chedda

[dtc]

The wavestorm is a foam board right? You will find a big difference between that and a 'normal' board, let alone going shorter as well. However, I think you are on the right track in picking a 'large' shortboard rather than what your friends are suggesting. My concern is that you are only catching waist high waves at best; and a shortboard will really struggle in those conditions (it needs bigger waves).

Given all of this, I reckon go for a 6ft10 or so (give or take a few inches) 'fish' board, like the 7S superfish (but there are plenty of others). The dimensions you have suggested arent bad (fairly wide, thick), although the board linked isnt for your skill level. A fish shape can work as a transition board to a standard short board, if you go that way; but at the same time wont be as big a transition from your current board and is rideable in smaller waves (but not ankle high - nothing will catch tiny waves like a foam board)

Another option is to get a 7ft (give or take) second hand mini mal and surf that for 6 months or so then sell it on and buy a shorter board.

Finally - before you do anything, see if your friends have an old board or are willing to lend you their boards and have a surf. Just to see what differences there are between your current board and what you are thinking of.

[isaaac]

Thanks for all this information! also i want something that is going to challenge me a bit but not way out of hand, if you have anything else to suggest ill be very appreciated. thanks!

Yes the wavestorm is foam

[isaaac]

Given all of this, I reckon go for a 6ft10 or so (give or take a few inches) 'fish' board, like the 7S superfish (but there are plenty of others). The dimensions you have suggested arent bad (fairly wide, thick), although the board linked isnt for your skill level. A fish shape can work as a transition board to a standard short board, if you go that way; but at the same time wont be as big a transition from your current board and is rideable in smaller waves (but not ankle high - nothing will catch tiny waves like a foam board)

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/spo/4273640960.html what do you think of this??

[hit_the_lip]

After surfing a costco foamie for 7 months, its definitely time to get a real surdboard. Look for something fishy. Bigger nose and thickness will make it easier to paddle and get into waves. Be careful about going to short to fast. If you get a high performance thruster, the transition will be difficult.

[isaaac]

Would a Quad fin set up be good for me? i know those generate more speed and you can make sharper turns than a tri fin set up but idk if the quad is suitable for me!
Thanks for the info^

[dtc]

That board you linked might be ok - its nice and wide and thick; but it wont be an easy transition (for that you will want a 7ft+ mini mal) but its not bad. Personally I think thrusters (3 fins) are preferable because you dont actually want extra speed at your level of skill and you are a fair way from worrying about sharper turns.

I guess I would say that the board seems reasonable but dont think you can move from the wavestorm to that board and be standing up catching waves straight away. If you are willing to flail about for a while and are prepared to start catching bigger (waist high+) waves, then go for it.

[isaaac]

Thanks! yeah Im down for a challenge I don't want it to be easy for me but neither too hard. you get me? and im not down for a mini mal at all just because i know it will be easy i used my friends 7'6 longboard once and it was just as easy as the wavestorm, just the wax felt all weird but anyways thanks for helping me out!

[CARBr6]

I would agree with hit_the_lip. Go for something 'fishy' the 7S superfish are a well respected board. The volume will help you to still catch eaves whilst you will get the experience of the shorter board style. A good compromise for the next stage of your surfing progression.
You say you want a challenge but you don't want to risk jumping too short too soon.