Is a 6 ft surfboard too short for a 6ft, 140lb begginer?

Question

I've gone surfing on an 8ft long board twice a week for the past month or so, and I would say I am decent for a beginner. I found a 6ft shortboard in my shed, and I'm curious if I can use it. I would be surfing at waikiki, so small slow rolling waves. Do you think the board is too short for me? Thanks.

Answer 1

Dude u got 2 get at least a 7 foot

                             thats what i would go with

Answer 2

Most definitely. I have been surfing for over 30 years, and you really do need to get lots more practice on your longer board. Especially surfing at Waikiki. I have only surfed the place 7 or 8 times whilst on holiday from the UK. but it is a cruisey wave unless you are at Ala moana. . If you are desperate to go out on the short board. Go up to the north shore and go to Chuns reef on a small day.

Answer 3

yes way to short for a beginner you probably want something in the 6'9-7 foot range

Answer 4

Yes it is probrably too short, and you wouldn't be able to stay on it in the waves.

Answer 5

It all depends on whether or not that board is buoyant enough for you take off. Weight/buoyancy ratio is more important than length. If it is on the thick and wide blank, you have your work cut out for you, but you can certainly ride it. Waikiki is probably not the ideal break for it, but  some surfers only ride short boards, no matter what the break, or how small it is.

During the 'short board revolution' in the late '60s, early '70s, I had lots of friends who surfed boards that were tiny even by today's standards. There were guys your size riding 5'4", 5'6 boards. The jump from 8' (which would be a fun board, or mini-mal, but not quite a 'longboard') isn't easy, but I have seen lots of surfers start out on a short board, and master it in a few weeks, without ever having ridden anything else.

So, the question shouldn't be, "Is it too short for me?' it should be, "Will it float me well enough to paddle and catch a wave?" You'll never know on dry land, go for it.

Answer 6

Definitely too short for you and for Waikiki !! If you were intrested in trying a shorter stick at a beach that had good medium sized waves ( around four foot ) with a slight rip current helping to hollow out the bottom, I might suggest you shorten up to about 7' 2" - 3" for your first stage. But the waves in Waikiki are made for longboarding, and you'll never get into a wave there with a 6' stick.

Answer 7

you should down grad gradually...try a 7'6 then go to 7'2 then to 6'8 and so on  its prob best. But you never know till you try it so test it out

Answer 8

Since you're asking specifically about Waikiki I will tell you definitely that a 6' board will NOT work there.

The waves are slow and and fat - not fast and hollow. Waikiki, (specifically Canoes and Queens), are longboard heaven. You will look like a kook out there, bro!!

If you're surfing Waikiki get yourself a longboard, (technically 9' and above), and work on style moves: cross-stepping, hanging 10, reverse take-off, etc.

Answer 9

No, just stick with small waves.