Board Size?

In term of your skill level and the type of surf that we mainly see, the longboard is the most versatile thing you can have. Don't get caught in the "fun board" trap, because once you get good enough, you will have limited turning capabilities compared to a shortboard, AND you'll have next to no nose-riding capabilities compared to a longboard. And seeing as the surf around here mostly entails the use of a longboard, it would be wiser to get a longboard because you can "grow" into longboards. However, you can't really get any better on a medium-sized board. Trust me, I have an eight-footer from when I learned to surf, and I really want to nose ride it. It's really hard, but I still try... it's BARELY noserideable. I wish I had a log. And even if you do want to go with shortboards, longboards are still REALLY GOOD to have in your quiver. Whenever I surf my longboard, my shortboard feels so much more alive. Of course, it's tough at first to switch between boards with that much of a difference, but once you are at that level to be able to ride any board you feel like, it makes surfing that much more fun. it's good to have a diverse quiver, especially on the east coast.

 

i'm 6'3 200 pounds...1st board was a 6'4 seven superfish or something like that....since u've got experience on a long board u could prolly go shorter...now that i've been riding awhile my favorite board is a 6'0 Smells like Fish from Gary Wilson, rides like a skateboard since you're used to boarding i'd recommend something like that.....

 

get a board that isn't too thick or too wide for you. I'd say a 5'11- 6'5 should do you good. I like my boards really loose and skatey, but I have happy feet.

 

Stay true to your ability

Man,
if you have only surfed a long board a few times, do not go down to a 5'11 or anywhere close. Do not get over confident in your ability. If you are a beginning surfer, foam, width, and the length of the rail line (which adds stability), are all your friend. You want your board to be stable for you to get used to paddling, popping up, and standing really. After you feel comfortable with those things, you can always go down in size. If you get the wrong board, not only will you be miserable, but your confidence will go down. If this is your first board, I would suggest not putting a lot of money into it. Find something used that is longer and more stable, then either trade it in, sell it, or find someone to trade. Just my opinion. Good luck.

 

Any type of fish shape is good for ec surf. I've got 2 (a retro that is an inch shorter than me and a quad fish) and they are a blast

 

5'11" is a terrible, terrible idea for this guy. Go bigger, get a fish, or get a longboard, and be happy.

 

RIGHT

RIGHT

RIGHT

WRONG

In this case foam is deffinately your friend. The best way to maximize flotation with optimum maneuverability is to stay go wider, thicker, shorter. In this case maneuverability probably isn't a priority though, so I'd say go with a good fun board-esque shape until you get the basics down, then sell it after a summer and down size.

 

Get a fish.... I'm 6'1 200 and ride all shapes of boards. If you want to go shorter get a fish 6'4 to 6'8, 20 to 21" and 2.5 to 2.75 thick will be plenty to float your weight. Only day you cant ride a fish is on a log only day. As far as not growing on a shortboard????? You grow on any shape every time you surf if you have the determination to do so! Talk to a shaper and get a custom ... They will guide you in the right board set up for you!

 

I'm about your height and weight and finding the right board can be fustrating.There is nothing wrong with having a longboard in your quiver, they offer superior glide and catch waves with ease. If your looking for a board that turns on a dime and catches waves fairly easy there is nothing better than a fun board... PERIOD. Surfing close to 40 years on the east coast this is the best design that allows progressive manuvers while maintaining high wave count per session. If you dislike noseriding like I do Look for a board around 7'4"-7"8" in length, 21 1/2" wide and 2 3/4" thick. Other benifits... easier to store,tote and fit in or on your vehicle. Fun boards cost less than logs too. Get out there and bury the rail and throw the tail! RJB

 

try a 7'6 NSP my neighbor has 1 it is indestructible and you can still do some turns on it. Or just cruise down the line on it.

 

How can you dislike noseriding?

 

I'm 6 3 160 and I ride a 6 6 squash, 6 7 fish, and a 6 10 fish. Hope this helps, not sure if the location matters, never surfed outside Jersey.

 

what about the old and slow?

i've been looking for answers to this for a while now.i'm 6ft 185 and getting older all the time.i currently ride an 8 ft fun board but it seems too much to handle and bottom turn on these vertical drop waves we have around here.i had a 6.4 fish that was too small and thin and i swear if i caught the wave i couldn't find the board under me.tried for a summer and a half and never rode that thing.i keep thinking i need around 7 feet and thick enough to float.i remember in the late 80's the waves would roll in and i could catch it ,pick my moment and drop right in.even chest to head high.now,they break so hard and fast you gotta go NOW.the fun board aint that fun in these conditions.

 

I think your best bet would be in the 6'6 to 7'2 range if you're looking for more maneuverability, yet something that will hold in bigger/steeper waves and still have a lot of float. Based on the first and last requirements, a fish would be the way to go, but the low entry rocker might not help late drops in more sizable surf. Gary Wilson's Kingfish is a good model that combines the desirable aspects of a fish (more maneuverable and with more volume) with some improvements such as a more pulled in tail and a less curvy outline with more entry rocker than a standard fish, that will help it still preform in larger, faster breaking surf.

 

i think your right 58845.these boards you posted look good.is that wood veneer on the middle one?maybe faux marbleing .you have a quote on the bottom that i can't ignore.when a nation attacks the prosperous it can't last too long either.i used to make a good living building things for the prosperous. now i'm on foodstamps and looking at surfboards i can't buy.

 

Many people that were spending money like crazy weren't prosperous in the first place. Most of them have huge lines of credit card bills stacked up unpaid. The bad economy hit everyone but there are plenty the screwed themselves with debt that is now near impossible to recover from. OR didn't properly SAVE well when they actually WERE MAKING MONEY. I have to work 2 jobs to pay the bills now because hours are at a all time low in demand. Stop feeling sad for yourself and placing blame, There are plenty of jobs out there to keep you off the food stamps that all the job holding people and I are paying for. Great job, we just hijacked this thread.

I'm sorry and correct me if I'm wrong...but I'm assuming you are one of the many house builders that built in the housing hay days, and most likely paid a pile of illegals(that didn't pay taxes) to do all the work. Now that market is bust you are screwed, and unable to roll up the sleeves and put in actual work yourself but rather take a check from the Gov.

 

well no, i built furniture and cabinets for those people who spent all that money they probably couldn't afford.no illegals just me and my boss and not anymore.something will come up and i hate the foodstamps. temporary situation.just having a hard time feeding the family on the 10 an hour thats all i could find.rather talk surfing any time.hmmm, maybe less attention on waves and more thought for the future way back when,....nah.

 

58845 has the right shape and size for you just buy what you can afford.... Customs are the best bet and you can get one for the same if not cheaper than a shop and the shaper can help you out with technicals and dimensions.