Small Funboard or Large Fish

[Dutchsurfer]

Hello,

What is a better choice for my first surfboard? A small funboard or a large fishboard?

I'm 21 years old, 6'1 (1.86 m) and weigh 185 lbs (84kg). I have been surfing for two summers on a large soft-top, I don't know the dimensions, but I can ride the wave up and down. My next goal is to perform turns and cutbacks.

The waves I will be surfing are off the beaches of Europe, so the waves will be 1-4 ft. I will be surfing mostly during the holidays. So at the most 4 to 5 weeks a year.

I was looking at a 7'2 funboard, even though I know a 7'6 is recommended for me.
Or a 6'10 fish board, though I know that's large for a fish.
7'2 funboard http://www.torq-surfboards.com/fun-72.html
6'10 fish http://www.torq-surfboards.com/fish-610.html

Any advice for my first surfboard?

Thanks, I appreciate your time.

Dutchsurfer

[Big H]

You are almost exactly my size in much smaller and weaker surf than I learned in....I used a 9'3"x23x3" and it was perfect for what I needed to learn, develop and progress. However, I surfed and surf multiple times a week....nearly every day. For 4-5weeks a year in small onshore windswell conditions like what you'll be facing, I'd get a board similar to what I used.

Oh yeah....I bought second hand....this was the pic from the ad....the bloom had fallen off the rose so to speak so I didn't feel bad about all my kooky beginner mistakes, dings, bashes, accidental groundings, etc. In the end I sold it for 20 bucks more than I bought it for......good times.

[Dutchsurfer]

Thanks for your reply.

I searched the surf conditions for Europe. And the waves are almost twice as big as I said before, 2-10 ft.
Also I want a board that's easy to travel with and more turn-friendly.

Any other thoughts about boards?

[Big H]

No.....for your size and frequency, that's the beginning and the end. You aren't surfing 10ft waves any time soon, and anything smaller with your frequency and current ability will mean a lot of frustration and time spent in the lineup not catching waves.....I see it every day here; so many people on boards that are too small for what they are able to actually surf.

Don't become a bobber; ride a board that will fit and support that big body.

[Dutchsurfer]

Thanks a lot for your advice, I will begin to look at bigger boards.

Cheers

[waikikikichan]

First, try to find out what size soft board you were learning on. Was it 8, 9, 10 feet ? Then, try not to go too far away in size when buying a hardboard, since hard boards don't have as much float.
But I understand traveling with a 9'0" longboard can be a pain.

[Dutchsurfer]

A quick search and I found that I ended my holiday on a 7'6 Soft board.

[waikikikichan]

Then how about the 7'2" Mod Fish. I think the wider nose up front and the wide swallow tail ( instead of the Funboard's narrower rounded pin tail ) should help you in mushy beach break. Plus the Fish is 53L versus the Fun at 47L yet the same length. 6'10" Mod Fish is a bit of a stretch. Try to stay within 6 inches.

[Dutchsurfer]

I didn't even thought about a 7'2 fish. It has more volume and is wider than the funboard.

Thanks a lot.