I’m 5’6", currently ride a 6’6" Merrick Flyer . … in my 20’s, was wondering what’s good shortboard / fish dims for me. I did a search, but only found a geriatric shortboard post, one for a tall / lean guy . . . Surfshop guys and surfers say 6’0-6’4 is good depending on the thickness and skill etc … .
I can do cutbacks on the Flyer, if the wave is long enough, maybe a roundhouse, but I want something easier to turn than the Flyer (and get under waves).
Thanks
G’Day Hiro,
I love these questions, so open to opinion and interpretation.
Shortboard, for not too sucky waves, up to about 3-4ft. Above that you’ll want a little bigger, or stick with the Merrick.
I’d go with 6’0", on the dinger. 19" wide, maybe an inch to two foward’o’centre. Get thin with your height/weight…2 1/4" is plenty.
A couple of little flyers just in front or behind of the front fins. 6 inch tail with a 3 inch swallow.
You’ll love it, and when you ride it, you WILL be something…!
Stavros
thanks for replying . . . I’m eying a 6’2" 19 wide 2.5 thick swallow tail Bill Johnson shortboard . . . hopefully he listens to Greg L’s proposition for parabolic stringer. A friend recommended him so . . .
I would go somewhere closer to your dims, but I got a hefty gift certificate that’s going to expire to a surfshop, so I’m going to use it . . .
It has a single channel in the tail . . . The other board is a 6’3" but 18 wide 2 3/4’s thick . … Of course they have other ones of other dims . . . I’ll check them out . . .
If you are stepping down I’d recommend the 19" wide board at first…It shouldn’t be too tough to ride.
Of course, many dimensions matter, not just length, width, and thickness. Rocker, tail width, wave size, wave hollowness, and rider conditioning all matter. Wider tails easier, flatter rocker easier, better rider conditioning easier. etc.
thanks,
Try going as short as posible say 6’0 and 19 or wider ,whatever thickness suits and if it doesn’t work unload it and go again , second hand boards sell fairly quick.