Preparing to step down

[Jripper53]

Hi all,
I'm a beginner surfer, just starting to see the "kook" phase in the rearview. I've been surfing an 8'6" Torq longboard for about 5 months now and, while I am still mastering the basics, I can now consistently catch and ride the fabulous 3-4 foot swells we are so "blessed" with on the FL Gulf Coast. I love my Torq though, and love surfing, so I see myself progressing with pretty good speed (given the amount of time I can allot for surfing) and I'm getting down the line, performing turns as the wave allows. My background in skateboarding and snowboarding did come in handy at least for the balance portion. The ultimate goal is to surf shorter boards and larger waves but I am realistic about my abilities at this point. What I have noticed lately is that the extra size and bulk of the longboard is limiting the amount of maneuverability I have on the short rides I get, and gets trickier on steeper, faster breaking waves. Although I am aware of the disadvantages of a shorter board (slower paddling, less buoyant, less stable), I now wonder if something smaller would open up a new realm of possibility (and challenges) to explore and allow me to make better use of the waves. I'm not talking about a short board, or any hugely drastic move like that. And for now, I'm going to stick with my longboard for at least another few months. I'll always have it in my quiver. When the time does come, however, I am looking towards either the Torq mod fish or mod fun in the 7'2 range (or a similar NSP, Firewire, etc.). The fish has a little more volume, but the fun board seems like it would handle larger waves better on future surf trips to the east coast and other areas with more swell. I also like that the fun board has a bit more rocker for steeper waves. Anyone on here have any advice/experience with boards like this? It would be most appreciated.

[dtc]

I wont comment on whether you should go shorter, thats for you to decide. I do know that once your mind is saying 'I want to go shorter' then you will sooner or slightly less soon but still pretty soon. So keep the longboard just in case, but going to a 7'2 - 7'6 board is (in my view) the best next step after a longboard.

A 7'2ish mod fun is great choice, a few people around here have them and rate them (you should be able to find some comments through the search function). Both the fish and the fun board will handle overhead waves; the fish is likely to be slightly more stable (as its wider) but I just prefer the mod fun outline and think its able to handle a wider range of conditions better. Also fish tails tend to get chipped especially with less experienced surfers. But either will be fine - honestly the modfish is basically the mod fun but slightly wider and a different tail (you will notice the difference in the tails when surfing, but it being 'different' doesnt make it better or worse).

There are heaps of other similar boards of course; I quite like the Firewire Seaxe for example. But I wouldnt worry hugely about the differences - its your second board and you are probably a few years and several boards off knowing what it is about a board that you like or dont like (in other words, agonising over the relatively minor differences is a waste of time because you wont understand impact those differences will have to the way you surf).

Short answer: a 7ft something fun board shape is a great choice and a great all rounder. Get the cheapest or the one that looks best.

[Jripper53]

Thanks dtc thats some good info. I agree with you about liking the mod fun outline better. The shape just looks like a more intuitive blend between a longboard and a shortboard. It's true I'm not to the point where those minor differences are going to be very noticeable. Just not enough time in the water yet. I do worry about the reduced stability & paddle speed of the funboard but I figure it's just a "nothin to it but to do it" kinda thing. When you said "I just prefer the mod fun outline and think it's able to handle a wider range of conditions better" that kinda sold it for me. Was surprised to hear you say that both boards can handle overhead waves. I saw a clip of a guy riding a mod fish in an overhead barrel and it was so squirrely he looked like he was inches from disaster with a death grip on the toe side rail (but of course he made it, it was on Torq's website). I'm gonna take fish boards out of the picture and focus on fun shapes. Just don't know how that swallow tail would shake thi gs up and, overall... just sounds like it would be a more versatile axe.

[Prancing monkey]

I went through a similar dilemma about a year ago. Came off an 8ft egg onto a 6,9 swallow tail (maluku fish cake 2). Dims are 22.5" by just under 3" thick and I am 6ft and 85kgs. It was a great transition for me, and once I sorted my paddle position out really helped on bringing on my turns. I did chip the tail after a couple of sessions but that was my stupid fault walking it down a set of steep stairs... Plus it's a pu and those torq expoxy boards are much stronger. It has a moderate amount of nose rocker but a pretty flat midsection and tail, which I think is pretty useful for a newbie because our positioning on take off is often wrong, and the nose rocker allows late takeoffs without pearling. A year on and I have now moved onto a smaller round tail thruster, but the swallow tail seems condusive to different fin set up's and I've kept it as a twin fin for the slow crumbly days when I need more speed.

[Prancing monkey]

Should have added that it holds well in head high conditions, and the plan shape of the modfish isn't a million miles away, so am sure it will be fine. And being a relative newcomer how often do you think you will be out in overhead +? There's a couple of really competent surfers at my break on them. But like dtc said, don't agonise too much...better to be in the water ASAP than agonising over Internet reviews for next two months.... Plus the resale value on torqs is good if you don't get on with it

[steveylang]

Short answer: a 7ft something fun board shape is a great choice and a great all rounder. Get the cheapest or the one that looks best.

I second this! If your budget is unlimited then by all means get whatever you want, otherwise just find a nice, basic shape in the 7'+ size range with reasonable width and volume (probably around 50-55L), and it will serve you just fine. I think you understand that moving down in smaller steps better, and are reasonable in your expectations.

Most mid lengths are kind of 'jack of all trades master of none' compared to short boards and long boards, but that's a good thing for learning IMO. I have surfed for a couple of years and I am only surfing a 7' 46L Tuflite Santa Cruz Pumpkin Seed right now. The best thing I can say about the board is that it feels very 'neutral'- I can surf a lot of different conditions on it, and I don't really notice the board so I can focus on the wave and improving my skills. It will maneuver as well as my ability right now allows, so I'm not going to improve faster on a shorter board.

[waikikikichan]

I'm gonna take fish boards out of the picture and focus on fun shapes.

I would seriously reconsider that decision. I’m a 90% longboarder, but due to the beach breaks and small vehicles here in Japan, I bought a 7’10” NSP Fun board and also a 6’4” NSP Fish. They both work great, but if the waves are quick and dumpy the Fish is better. ( and it’s not lacking for paddle power since the waves are steep enough to let gravity do its thing ).
If you’re “pulling in” to barreling sections, I don’t see that much of a difference either. Watch all the videos of Mason Ho pulling in on his “Fish” shapes.

[Jripper53]

Uh oh, got both answers now one says fish the other says fun. Waikikichan, the waves here are quick and dumpy a lot of the time so a fish would probably work. However I was looking for a sort of "one board quiver" thing that could handle bigger surf too when I'm ready for the challenge. Just eyeing it up, I get the feeling that would be easier on a fun board because of the rounder shape of the fish and that swallow tail. It looks weird, it seems weird. But I don't know it could be awesome. I understand nothing can do it all. Jack of all trades, master of none as Steveylang wisely put it. Just looking for the most versatile which it seems like a fish would be a bit more limited because of that rounder shape, swallow tail. Maybe it just freaks me out cuz it's not like what I'm used to. I do think a 6'4 would be way too short for me now though. It's a tough choice but I'm not gonna mull over it long like I did my 1st board cuz if there's one thing I've learned so far it's that Prancingmonkey is right when he says "don't agonise too much...better to be in the water ASAP than agonising over Internet reviews for next two months." Solid advice there.