What kind of surfboard for me?

Question

I'm a late-beginner -ish surfer, 5'2-5'3 and 110 lbs (girl). I like surfing waves about waist high, at breaks like Swami's and stuff (I don't know if that helps). But yeah i was thinking about getting a fish surfboard but still want to be able to duck-dive without any trouble from extreme buoyancy, and also catch lots of waves (so kind of the best of both worlds I guess). Also I want to be able to have lots of maneuverability for turns and what not. So what kind of board is for me?

please give details like what size and stuff!!

Answer 1

You have already gotten some good answers. but I like two points already mentioned: 1) go to surf shop, (a real surf shop, not a bathing suit store that sells surfboards). Talk to the folks there. They surf, and can talk to you about the break(s) you will be riding, and your skill level. They can steer you to a nice off-the-rack surfboard, or even set you up for a nice custom shaped board (in 42 years of surfing, the two best boards I have owned, were custom shaped for me). 2) Surfboards are not 'one size fits all'. What are you already riding? And what do you want to do different. Long board and fun shape boards are great in mushy stuff, but I have seen some really hot surfers chewing up the mush on little performance boards.

Also, waist high waves aren't all that hard to paddle out through, so duck diving in some instances may not only be overrated, but unnecessary. Turtle rolls will also work, and in waist high mush, paddling through works too. Take some of the good advice is these answers, and go to a surf shop, for all you know, we all live in Nebraska and only surf in our dreams.

Answer 2

Everybody wants one board that does it all, some claim that they have found it. In my experience its a give and take.

My recommendation is if like waist high waves and are surfing north county SD waves (often mushy) than stick to a longboard (an 8 ft performance shape, might give you the maneuverability you desire without sacrificing paddling ability)

If you get a fish you will find that it is a lot harder to get into waves than you expected. You could get frustrated and your wave count will suffer.

BTW Duck-diving is overrated, learn to turtle-roll as it can be just as effective.

Have Fun and Keep Surfing.

Answer 3

Try this board, the Webber Fat Burner.

Answer 4

Actually sounds like you are on the right track with looking at a fish.  Highly maneuverable, duck diveable and having extra volume and flatter rocker will make it easier to catch waves.  Fish are ridden much shorter than what you would ride for a short board, like 6 inches or more shorter.  I would go to a shop and fins someone that actually knows what they're talking about and get their advice on the size although off hand I'd say you are looking at a board that is about as tall as you, maybe a little shorter.

Answer 5

hey,

Iam a surfboard shaper and i can tell you anything!

You shouldn't really go to a fish just yet!

Becasu they are a different typer of surfboard to what you are riding and it will take a long time till you get you to it!

You should go to a 5'8-5'10 or even a low digit in the 6'0s:)

Answer 6

Ha, I have a friend who was exactly the same as you!!!  Alright, what you need is a 6'6-7'0 board, I would recommend about a 6'6 but, that's just me.  Thickness should be about 2 inches and width should be 17-18 inches.  Style: don't go fish yet, sounds like you should be using a regular tail fun-shape style.  Fun-shapes are hard boards with very good maneuverability, usually are thick and quality boards and, are the most fun in my opinion for small waves like waist high.  And also, if you can find one look for a quad-fin, great performance, provide quality turns and great stability.  Hope this helps.