Hi everybody! I’m living in Spain and I begun surfboarding this summer. I enjoy it a lot, so I wanna know someone who help me to find the best one. I wanted one shortboard, but I’m not sure by now. I’m 6’ 1’’ and 184,8 (84kg). Thanks!
If you want a shortboard to learn on, I recommend something in the 7-8' range, not really a shortboard, but smaller than a typical 9-10' longboard. Something that floats you well and paddles easy. Talk to some surfers / shapers that are familiar with the beaches you'll be surfing for more insights, or give us the best description you can of the type of waves you'll be using the board in.
Start learning on the biggest board you can find. After a few successful sessions you can move to a shorter length board, then after a few more successful sessions you, yourself will know the next step to try.
Hi, I though that too but I was not sure coz i’m a “greenhorn”. And I’m pleased for your answer too because I don’t have space enough to buy more than one board xD, jajaja. thanks!
Hi, thanks you two for your answers!!
well....many guys here are masters and could not like what I will say....
I learned to surf riding thrusters....I think if you learn to surf using a big board (7, 8 foot) when you move to short board you have to learn again...coz they ride so diferent. You have to learn how to duck dive also.....hhehehe
If I were you I was going to buy a 6'4'' 2 1/2 thick thruster if you want to ride a shortboard....And make sure you buy a good board man...something that works. Look for any shaper that sponsor guys at your local beach....You can not learn how to surf using a board that does not work....
But thats what I think
good luck
When you are learning how to surf....wave judgement, balance, wave count are the most critical things. You will learn how to surf faster on a bigger board than a short board. Look, you are a big guy 6'1"...and you want to surf a 6'1" surfboard, maybe a 5'10 surfboard? WTF, learn how to surf then start sizing down.
I remember my first board, I surfed the beast every day, all summer. It was a 6'4" Hanley swallow tail. Fricking thing was too narrow, and a bit waterlogged. I never did get up and surf it. Yeah, I did a few face plants and wobble bottom turns etc. But it wasn't until my cousin got me a better board, I stepped up to a 6'10 Hanley rounded pin egg. It was love at first wave. I caught more waves and surfed on that first surf, than I did all previous summer combined.
I started the next door neighbor kid on a 7'0"......now he surf's a 5'10" but the only reason he moved down so fast is because he learned how to surf first. Do yourself a favor, start on a slightly bigger board and cut the kook time in half.
Here's a little benefit to surfing a bigger board too. When real surf enters your life. You will be ready to handle it, and all your little friends on there little chip boards will be tombstoning when you are hauling ass past them towards the channel and safety............a good feeling indeed.
Thanks too, I’ve been looking pukas and I like it.
Resinhead, then could you advise me one board to introduce me to shortboard with the time, for waves betwen 0.5 meters and 1.5 meters from Pukas or Moor please (or another one).
Don't know exactly what plan shape you really like, or what feels good to you but something in the 6'10-7'3" range. Something like a 12-12. 1/2 nose, 20-20 3/4 mid, 12 3/4-13 3/4 tail. Thickness 2 5/8 -2 3/4.
7'0"-x 12" x 20 1/2"x 13 x 2 5/8. You should be able to throw that around pretty good, and catch a lot of waves.
Get a 9’ x 23" x3" and surf uncrowded places and have fun,learn how to surf it well.Then downsize to a 6’6 x20" x 2 3/4",once you feel you’ve mastered that youll know what you really want to ride.
Thanks for all your help.
hey i agree with "resinhead and jesus" start on big board work down maybe a 8'6 hp board.I think best not to rush the drop in size get good at moving that big board around.
It worked great for me i am 93kgs and started on a 9ft mal a few years ago and am now on a 6' 6 fish. i still ride the mal on the real busy or small days. I found that the time i spent learning on the mal was a good platform for the switch down. the move wave you ride the better you get no point in sitting out there and not getting any waves.
but it does take some time to adjust to shorter board. like said above learning to duck dive well and you will need to build paddling strenght as it easy to get lazy on a longboard
anyway i am by no means an expert but that my 2 cents
antony