Buying a shortboard?

Question

Hi all,

I normally rent a 7'10 and that is what I'm used to. But this year I'm going to a uni near a beach and I want to buy my own board. I've always wanted to get a short board (and also I'll be getting the bus to the beach so the smaller the better).

How hard is the transition from a 7'10 to a shortboard?

Also, I'm about 6' and 160 pounds, can anyone recommend a good size for me?

And finally, what are the best makes of boards that will last a long time?

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Years and years ago, I was part of the short board revolution, and we all transitioned to shorter and shorter boards every summer. You are light enough that you can go fairly short, don't forget, you still need to take off, and weight is a more important factor than how tall you are.

I don't know the break you will be surfing, but I bet the folks at the local surf shops do. Go to a real local surf shop, not a bathing suit store that sells some surfboards. They will help you get the right board for your size, skill level and local break.

Real surf boards are breakable. They can be dinged, they can get pressure dings, and sometime they even break in half. Most of your new technology c**p is virtually unbreakable, but it does not ride like a real surfboard. I can't really knock boards traditionally shaped coated with epoxy instead of fiberglass, however they are a little too floaty and lack flex. I still have a 6'4" twin fin I started riding in the 70's. And looks pretty good (thanks to a couple good quality ding repairs). Buy the surfboard for the shape, the ride, and the quality of the glass job, h**l even for the pretty art work, but never because it's 'unbreakable' Read the link about popouts, you'll find it enlightening.

Answer 2

if you learned on that 7'10" board and can surf that pretty well, it shouldn't be too difficult to learn on a shortboard. it will be different however in that most likely it won't float you as well, and will ride a lot different. in a few sessions you should be fairly well adjusted though.

for what it's worth, i'm 5'10", 150 lbs and my shortest board is 6'2", 18 1/4", 2 1/4". if you can, talk to people at a surf shop and see what they recommend. or better yet demo some boards you're interested in.

custom shaped fiberglass boards have lasted well for me but there's a lot of options to choose from. try to avoid "pop-out" boards though.

Answer 3

its  not very difficult, if you surf pretty well on a long board then you wont have a very difficult time transitioning to a short board.  Have fun

Answer 4

If you're transitioning from a 7'10, try and get an egg shortboard, or like a hybrid one: funshape/shortboard. I'd start out with a 6'8-6'10: good way to start shortboarding; either hire it for a bit and then move on to a 6'3( good size for your height) or buy a cheapo second hand one. If you want to make it harder but cheaper for yourself then go straight into a 6'3 thruster, it will take alot of adjusting to but it will save you having to buy the larger board first. Try it out! rent/ borrow from your mates, talk to a shaper etc. (also like the guy said above, try out a flyer,  they're sweet for starting on)

Answer 5

Sound like you could use a 6'6" Fish to me. You've surfed, you know what it's about and you're still doing it. Congratulations!

Surftechs and TufLites are more expensive up front, but they last a long time, if given proper care. They're also a lot stronger than the average surfboard and what would ding a regular board, may very well do nothing at all to a Surftech. However, there are drawbacks. If you leave a Surftech in direct sunlight on a hot day, you may ruin the board and they are not easy to fix.

Good luck!

Answer 6

try a wider a thicker board than normal

19¨1/2  and 2 5/8

the flyer from almerrick is an excelent model for you

lot of flotation