I have been riding one of these lately on smaller waves.....
https://www.cleanlinesurf.com/firewire- ... ertek.htmlI like it better than the dominator that I used to have; rails feel less like bumper cars and the tail is not as much of an issue. Dominator in the right conditions was a easy board to surf and a lot of fun......Im finding this one is the same only the conditions are a little expanded and it responds a little more sharpish.
That said, I personally would not recommend going from a 7.6 to a shortboard.....at your size you can still pop up with your toes, and how you hold your body on the board to catch a wave is different.....you need a tweener board before going too short to develop skills and feel without wasting the time you will if you jump down too quick. Look for a 6'10" or 7' board would be my suggestion in a pointy nose fun shape. You'll definitely feel the difference and the board will be lively enough for you, and again, you won't waste time foundering around both trying to get and once on the wave.