Recommendation

[nicoya]

You guys give great advice on the right boards to buy - better than some of the help at the surf shops. I've read a lot of the posts on this board, but haven't found one that matches my situation, so I'd appreciate your help.

I'm an intermediate surfer and have mostly ridden an 8'6" longboard. I've been trying to transition to a shortboard or shorter board and have been riding a 6'6" thruster (don't know the other dimensions). I'm able to catch typical Socal waves on it, but not do too much else. I've been thinking about getting another board because this one seems too long.
What do you guys think?

A few other details. I'm 5'9", 140lbs. Older (38) and in good shape, but 38 is still 38, unfortunately.

Thanks!

 

[pickles]

Could be your 6'6" just isn't the right *design* for you. Can you post a picture of it? I think its pretty likely you want semething shorter, wider (especially in the tail), thicker, and with less rocker.

You can put together a short board that will paddle really well and generate lots of speed, if thats what you set out to do.

 

[MACSD]

5'8 and 145-150 pounds and a 6'1*18.5*2.25 with a slightly wider nose (11.25) and low rocker seems to work pretty good for me for decent conditions in southern california. I'm almost 37.

 

[000]

get a round nosed fish 6'3".

 

[LeeD]

I'd go waaay smaller in a fish.
A round nose fish, maybe 5'9", about 6" shorter than a typical shortboard.
A Lis fish, for sure about 5'6" x 21, no bigger.
I rode a 5'6" Lis fish at 22" wide, and it was kinda big and super easy to ride and snake waves. I'm 55 years old, and surf about once a month! 150lbs.

 

[HBNative]

Hey Nicoya,
I'm 35, 5'8", 165-170, live in So Cal and enjoy long sunset strolls... oh wait, that's another forum. Anyway, I'd say I'm intermediate level as well and surf between 6'1" and 6"3" about 19 1/4 wide and 2 3/8 thick with relatively low rocker. Maybe check out a Flyer or a Rusty Bob for ideas. Boards like those carry quite a bit of volume for their size and might help you transition - they've helped me!

Good luck!

 

[justsurf48]

what do you guys consider an indermediate surfer <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/shrug.gif" alt="" /> im confused. id suggest a 6'0

 

[kane]

I guess someone who can catch waves, and can connect some turns together? Is this an intermediate surfer?

 

[highline rider]

surf surf surf surf surf surf surf surf surf surf surf your brains out. best way to get better in my opinion. keep surfing that 6'6" and maybe it will click, once that happens you know youll be ready to go onto a shorter board. if you can get up on the shortboard thats really half the battle of learning, if you can get up on it, why not keep using it till you are at the point where you need/want a shorter board?

if i had to re pick my first shortboard id go 6'-6'6" egg type thing. easier paddling and still plenty manuverable. then graduate from that to a high performance thruster.

 

[Big Brother]

HEE HAW GET A BONZER!

 

[nicoya]

Thanks for the advice. Ultimately, surfing more is the way to go, but if a better board gets me there faster, I'll try it. Now, if I can only find a sponsor, so I can quit my job...

 

[Cheyenne21]

Given your size i think you need more nose / planning width in your board. A fatter tail doesn't work - if you want to go short your choices are forward width or overall thickness. In a tri fin that means something like a Piranha by Rusty or a Bryne Pill, although many great shapers can dial this board for you. Also, as has been stated many times here on the forum, less board size means more wave juice. For example San Onfroe vice Salt Creek - the less the wave pitches the more size for someone with the abilities you descibe.
Peace out and have fun!