Height and board size

Okay, here’s my question… What size high-performance shortboard should I be riding? I’m 6 ft. tall, 170 lbs. and 25 years old. I’ve asked this question to many surfshop employees in the past and always walked away feeling like they were only trying to convince me to buy the board that just happened to be right there in the shop. Ever since I started shaping and riding my own boards (thick foils and wide outlines) I’ve totally lost hope in figuring out what size high-performance shortboard I’m supposed to be on.

AJL - from the looks of it I’m around the same build as you, about a month and a half ago I went down to FL to visit some friends and didn’t plan on doing too much surfing but when that hurricane hit I felt obligated so I ran down to a local surfshop and decided that this hurricane swell was a perfect oppurtunity to try out some new boards, little did I know that the first board I chose would totally meet my needs, and seems like it could work out for you as well: 6’1" - Nose-12 3/4" - Mid-19 1/2" - Tail 14 1/4 When I save up the money needed and more importantly set aside the time needed you can bet this will be the first project on my racks. Another note: I plan on putting Herb’s superchargers to the test on this board; can’t wait to leave some feedback.

Okay, here’s my question… What size high-performance shortboard should I > be riding? I’m 6 ft. tall, 170 lbs. and 25 years old. I’ve asked this > question to many surfshop employees in the past and always walked away > feeling like they were only trying to convince me to buy the board that > just happened to be right there in the shop. Ever since I started shaping > and riding my own boards (thick foils and wide outlines) I’ve totally lost > hope in figuring out what size high-performance shortboard I’m supposed to > be on. it depends a little on how you surf and what waves you ride. i’d go more like 6’4" x 2 3/8" - 2 1/2"…if you go with a wider outline go with a little thinner foil. i’d say 19 1/4" wide point, 14 1/4" tail, 11- 11 1/2" nose, something on those lines. 5" nose rocker, maybe 2 3/8" tail rocker. again depends on the wave. i’m 5’11" 160" and ride a 6’0"- 20" wide semi fish thing, a mid size 6’5"-18.5" wide pintail, and a 7’2"- 19 1/2" wide semi gun.

What Bruce said it correct…to go into more depth with what he’s saying … What brought you to building your own boards???..No one can tell you what to build or what is the CORRECT board for you…You have to dig in,and figure out what works best for you…I don’t personnally ride or own anything like what’s on the market(Bruce and some of the boys can verify that),and my boards are unique to me.That’s what is foremost to me…everything has a balance…you must find your balance.Herb.

AMEN!!! there is no chart for this stuff. http://www.cooperfishsurfboards.com

Okay, here’s my question… What size high-performance shortboard should I > be riding? I’m 6 ft. tall, 170 lbs. and 25 years old. You may want to consider the 6’8"R Clark blank as a candidate for your porject. http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Blanks/68R/68r.html Maybe netting out a 6’6" This is an easy blank to shape and has some extra thickness, if you need it. Somewhare around 19" wide – probably less than more. 170 lbs is on the bigger side of the shortboard spectrum. A little extra foam can always help if you have to jocky for waves in crowded conditions. And, it you do not surf in crowds, send us your address and local break. Shine http://users.leading.net/~shine

You may want to consider the 6’8"R Clark blank as a candidate for > your porject.>>> http://www.fiberglasssupply.com/Product_Catalog/Blanks/68R/68r.html>>> Maybe netting out a 6’6" This is an easy blank to shape and has some > extra thickness, if you need it. Somewhare around 19" wide – > probably less than more. 170 lbs is on the bigger side of the shortboard > spectrum. A little extra foam can always help if you have to jocky for > waves in crowded conditions. And, it you do not surf in crowds, send us > your address and local break.>>> Shine apparently someone at clark literally broke the 6’8"R mold. the new catalog has a new replacement plug, the 6’8"H which is actually a little thicker than the R.

If you have experience surfing / paddling into waves, then you can easily ride something at 6’2" to 6’6". If not, then you might want a board around a hybrid / fun size: 7’ to 8’. I’m 6 feet tall and 170lbs. I love the ride and glide of my 9’6" single fin!>>> Okay, here’s my question… What size high-performance shortboard should I > be riding? I’m 6 ft. tall, 170 lbs. and 25 years old. I’ve asked this > question to many surfshop employees in the past and always walked away > feeling like they were only trying to convince me to buy the board that > just happened to be right there in the shop. Ever since I started shaping > and riding my own boards (thick foils and wide outlines) I’ve totally lost > hope in figuring out what size high-performance shortboard I’m supposed to > be on.

Thanks for all the info guys. I totally agree with all of you. I was just curious as to what I should be riding according to the great SURF INDUSTRY STANDARDS. When I started shaping my own boards, I noticed that my surfing began to evolve into something that I felt really comfortable with. The longer that I ride my own boards, the less I’m able to relate to the boards I see on the racks in surfshops. I like to force myself out of my comfort zone every now and then and experiment. I was hoping to find out what the STANDARD size board is for a guy my size. I hope to use that measurment as a sort of base and expand from there.