I need help finding a new surfboard (shortboard)?

Question

I'm looking for a new shortboard I'M a grom and I'm 5'4 weigh around 108 what brand and what height do you suggest? I surf a lot in the summer and try to in the spring and I need help because i'm not to sure what direction to head in at this point I was thinking about an al merrick but i'm not sure what size or dimentions If any one could help me out that would be great!! Thanx!!

Answer 1

Visit a surf shop, discuss your abilities and what kind of wave you'll be riding it in. For brands, jeez thats a big one. Depends on where you are, I'd say. I'm in SB, so I'm partial to the hoarde of local shapers, like Momentum surfboards and UM. Rusty is a solid board, generally. Ive got a Tuflite TL2 right now thats pretty sick, not enough flex though. DHD and Webber are also good.

Answer 2

Well, everybody who visits this site seems to be big Channel Islands fans. It almost seems that nobody else shapes boards when you read some of these answers. Now, they are very fine boards, but there are lots of other big name shapers out there, along with dozens and dozens of local shapers, who turn out real good quality sticks.

I don't think I ever weighed 108 (maybe at birth), but believe me, at that weight, you can surely go very short, if you are up to it, skill wise.

I suggest that you go to a real local surf shop (not a bathing suit store that sells some surfboards) and talk to the folks there about the right board for your size, your skill level, and the types of waves you'll encounter at your local break(s). The local shapers may have some great stuff on the racks at the surf shop, or you could think about having them custom shape one for you. I have been surfing for 42 years, and my two of my favorite boards were custom made for me, to my specifications. If you are a seasonal surfer (I am from the northeast, and I am sort of 'seasonal' I go south to surf in the winter), now is a great time to order a custom board. You can get a custom board in about six weeks, just about the time school closes.

If you have the money to by an Al Merrick, you will find that a custom stick is in about the same price range. For other big name manufacturers who make some great short boards, I like Lost and Rusty. I just bought a Lost SDII last month (my size - it's a 7'8"), but so far I am pretty happy with it. But I don't know if I'd trade my custom made fish for it. The fish is an Allison, a North Carolina shaper. Good luck, and buy the board, not the brand name.