Shortboard help pleaseee?

Question

I've been longboarding (surf) for a year now. I'm pretty good, and I recently bought a 6" fish shortboard. I took it out yesterday, and I need a LOT more practice! I cant paddle it worth a c**p. Does anybody have any tips on how I can become a better shortboarder...fast?!?

Answer 1

6' fish is decent sized.  How well it paddles and catches waves is also largely dependant on how thick the board is (hopefully your's is also fairly wide).  Less foam = hard to catch waves.  I ride shortboards, fishes, and longboards and normally ride my fish on anything under chest high.  I have more fun on it than my longboard right now.

Paddling is NOT going to be like a longboard but it will definitely be better than a standard shortboard.  I ride a 5'9" fish and when I grab my nose, my arm is kinda bent a 90 degree angle.  When I grab it on a shortboard, it's extended further out.  Like the 2nd poster said, you do not want to be too far back on the board but you don't want to be so far forward that slight lean forward dips your nose.  Just paddle around, you'll eventually find the sweet spot.  The sweet spot when paddling around should be the same when catching a wave, maybe slightly further back if anything.

Pretty much you just need more practice.  Good luck!

Answer 2

Surf every day.

Just remeber longboards are like boats, shortboards are like balancing on a stick. It requires a certain finesse; although fishes are easier than real shortboards.

I know guys who have surfed for 40 years and can't rock my 5'10" fish.

Answer 3

What's the width and thickness of your 6' Fish?  Width and Thickness is just as important as length as it will determine how well the board floats you.  If you're having problems paddling, the board probably isn't big enough for you (at least until your paddling gets better).  You might want to try a bigger fish.  Fishes are the best way to transition from a longboard to something smaller.  I'm 5'10"/165lbs and ride a 9:Fish Surfboards 5'4" Clownfish in just about any kind of wave condition.  The reason I can ride something that small is because the board is thicker (3") and wider (21") than most shortboards.  Plus the shape (i.e. rails, bottom, nose, etc.) is designed to improve paddling and catching waves. You should take a look at their 6'2" Seared Ahi or even their 6'10" Yellowtail.  Both of these boards have a ton of float.

Answer 4

Dont go far back od the board because it can just slip right under you.  position yourself so you are in the front more, yet evened with the end.  it takes alot of practice and endurance.  some people just think any surfing, you can do it all with the same training, but you REALLY cant!! (from experience) and shortboard everyday.  just keep trying.  and do alot of push ups everyday.  you have to build up the strength to paddle harder since you are on a shorter board, where as on a longboard, it just kinda takes you out.  

good luck!

Happy Surfing!

Answer 5

its gonna take some time.  The jump from longboard to short board is really tough.  Over time, you'll get used to poping up different and having to paddle different.  As for paddling, padlle as far back on the board as you can.  this will make it easier to catch waves.  Also make sure that the surf is shortboard-able.  Sometimes in small waves, its impossible to use a 6" fish. once you get control, you will be rippin'!

Answer 6

dont listen to evan.  do NOT paddle as far back on the board as possible.  you want to be as far FORWARD as possible without sinking the nose.  you should put yourself in a position to where you lower your head and the nose sinks... raise it and the nose comes out of the water. as for paddling... practice practice practice.  it is a lot less foam, so you have to paddle a lot harder to get into waves.  take your time, youll be fine...   oh yeah, a fish is normally great in small surf, hence there is little rocker in the board (less rocker means easier to catch waves)... by the way, i have a 5'11 twin fin myself.  love it.