When did you make a transition to a shortboard?

[Guac805]

Hi all,

I've been lurking this forum for awhile now and have decided to post. I have a question for the guys and gals that ride shortboard. When did you make the transition, and how did you know you were ready?

The reason I ask -- selfishly -- is that I am in that situation myself. I have been surfing for about 6 months. I am 175 lbs at 6'0" and have been riding a 7'10" x 22" x 3" funshape. It has been a great board, but I feel like I am at the point where I should be stepping down to a shorter board (as this is what I would like to do eventually). I can catch waves pretty consistently, have an okay pop-up, and can do a basic bottom and top turn -- although admittedly I do find that the rail bites into the wave and I topple over a fair amount. I am considering getting a board shaped, but I have to concerns:
1) the board will be too small and I will be challenged.
2) I might waste my money as I will eventually be trying to move down to a smaller board.

I know this is a bit rambly and this question gets asked a lot, but this topic has been really picking at my brain lately and I figured asking could give me peace of mind .

Thanks!

[drowningbitbybit]

Well, it's good that you asked eventually...

I am 175 lbs at 6'0" and have been riding a 7'10" x 22" x 3" funshape.

I'm about the same height as you and a touch heavier. I started on a 7'11 mini-mal, then moved to a 7'4 "fat shortboard" when I was about at the stage you're at now (maybe a little more experienced), then dropped about 4" per year for the next few years (I stopped when I got to 6'2).

The 7'4 was a brilliant board to progress on - still a load of volume, but with 'proper' rails etc. It was a much better idea to have this intermediate board than to try and drop down 18" in one go. I sold the board several years later, but I still wish I'd kept it!

[oldmansurfer]

I think if you haven't mastered all the turns on the funboard it's going to be hell on a shorter board. I am not sure what you think a shorter board is going to do for you? Still if you have determination and time to spend catching waves then you can learn on any board. I guess it is possible that the board you have is not the best for you but it may just be that you haven't spent enough time surfing yet. My suggestion if you are going to get another board is to talk to the shaper, tell him/her what you are surfing on and the problems you are having and where you want to go with your surfing and ask him/her to make a whatever board they think you need and don't worry about the size of the board. I am 6'2" and 200 pounds and I have been surfing an 8 foot by 23.75 inches 3.25 inches thick funboard. It was made for me, it's my oldmanoutofshapeoverweight board. It has served me well for a couple years and I have no immediate intention of going smaller. So far my skill has been the limiting factor and the board has been fabulous. If I get to a point where my the board is limiting me I will get another but I love my board. Prior to this board I surfed a 9'6" longboard for three years. A long time ago I surfed short boards around 7 feet by 18 inches by 2 inches for several years. I learned on a similar sized board.

[jaffa1949]

I think talking to a good shaper is the way to go, I would suggest only slightly shorter and a wider profile and maintaining volume in thickness, with more defined rails than a "fun board " ( btw I hate that term) to help you evolve the skills you need.
If the board is well shaped it will be a good addition to your quiver.
HINT: See if the the shaper has a board similar to what he is suggesting for you, to try

[waikikikichan]

When did I make the transition to a short board ? I have been surfing for 20+ years and I still have not transitioned to a short board or will ever feel the need to. Yes, I own "shorter" boards but I don't own or want to ride a standard short board. I enjoy the glide and soul of surfing a longer board. I rather dance with the wave than try to rip it apart.

[billie_morini]

Answer: never
(Yeah, i know. Not the answer sought. But, couldn't resist. It is true. Never wanted to do it.)

[Dicky]

I am in a similar position. I'm 5"10 and 189 pounds and have been using a 7"6 mini mal for the last 18 months. I've got to the point where I can catch and ride anything up to 4 foot, backhand and front hand. So I bought a 6"8 shortboard last week. I've only used it once so far and the conditions were choppy and blown out so didn't catch anything substantial to really test it but did get a feel for it and popped up a couple of times. Firstly, I found sitting on the thing damn strange after using a mal for 18 months. Secondly, the waves I did catch, I could just tell the board is considerably faster and the thing flicks about like a feather. I'm out on it again this weekend and it's 8 foot offshore which will be the biggest I've EVER been in but fear is a surfers worst enemy so have my fingers crossed! I would say you sound similar to me and if you can afford it go for it

[jaffa1949]

I rode my first short board in 1965 it was a foley board a twin fin no less, reason being it could fit on the back platform of a double decker bus to ride from Dee Why to Fairy Bower. It didn't last 1966 saw me with a car and in 69 I took a shorter 8'6" pintail to Hawaii. single fin in Finbox. Rode everywhere except Waimea Bay, rode pipe in a very basic way, still have some scars from that physical ones.
Went as short as 6ft with the shortboard revolution but really my style and aptitude was long even when I rode short.

An answer I would give any surfer is that a good or better surfer can do almost anything on a longboard that a short board can do , just the manner of doing it is different!

My own opinion there are more surfers with better styles on longboards than stylish short boarders.
Long can ride as small as you want or as large as you dare! Does the board choice matter ? Nup only of it doesn't work for you