Okay, I have a few questions. I'm a 5'4" fifteen year old girl and I am getting into surfing. I've been a summer surfer since I was eight, but I can't handle only surfing one week out of the year. My dad used to surf daily, but now we live and hour and a half away from some pretty crappy waves, but hey, choppy, slow moving waves are better than no waves. Anyway, I'm hoping to start getting out there at least every other weekend until I get my license in a few months. I ride my dad's 7'3" fun shape and his 7'3" with a pointed nose, we also have an 8' foamie that personally, I hate. It takes you into every wave out there, but it doesn't turn and it's impossible for me to get it out to the good break. I'm starting to catch green waves and my pop up is 90% better than when I first started. So, now for the questions. I want to move to a shorter board, but I've heard shortboards aren't the best in weak, choppy surf. I've heard that fish boards are good for small surf, is that true? Also, what's the biggest board that you could duck dive? I have trouble getting out on the occasional big days, and think it would be good for me to learn. Any advice would be awesome
First off, welcome! Second, can you turn the 7'3"? When you say, "crappy surf", are you talking about 1' to 2' surf or wind blown crap?
Thank you Yes, it turns well. I should have explained that better. They're slow moving and don't normally get over two foot. A lot of times when it's supposed to get bigger, the wind kills them and they turn into wind blown crap. I don't mind the small waves, I don't know how big I could actually handle. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with any wave, it would just be nice if I had a little more to work with.
You think our a mess??????? Im about to pound a fireball and a yuengling can i got a hot date tomorrow. Op surfing is sick yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew
Just because it is a shorter board doesn't mean it has to be a performance shortboard.... A friend of mine in Florida just got basically a fun shape made for her but in the 6ft 6 range...I have a fish shape that is 6ft 2 in ... maybe try a egg model around 6 ft 6 in if you can find one I stand corrected it was 6ft 8 here's a pic a shape like this should work I'd say View attachment 16236
"I don't know how big I could actually handle, it would just be nice to have a little more to work with." That's what she said.
My recommendation for you would be a 6'0 groveler type shortboard. Go to this page, select groveler for "type" and enter your skill level, etc. http://www.hydroflex-surfboards.com/surf-boards/?tx_commerce_pi1 The LayZtoy caught my eye for you. 6'0, 41 L, big sweet spot. Plenty of curve in the template. Should paddle well, but you can still duck dive it once you get the technique down.
Your weight and strength is fairly important for duck dives, not that you have to really worry about that given the conditions you describe. Other than that - a fish or a biscuit would work. I'm thinking around 6ish'ish... Probably around 40 litre'shish... That should float and paddle great and be maneuverable. I'd say go with a quad and start off with a fuller nose, with not too much rockarrrgghh but that's just me. And of course, don't forget to bring a towel!
I'm a mess... OK, you're def not a mess, you're just learning (advancing which is good!) Here's a link that you might find helpful; http://www.surfscience.com/topics/types-of-surfboard/fish/is-a-fish-surfboard-right-for-you/ Duck diving is a technique and it takes practice but it is also nearly impossible to DD a long board so for that you would turtle roll. Check out SurfSimply.com & Surf Coaches. They are both on youtube and you can learn a lot from them. I just got a fish for Christmas & was finally able to get it in the water when the temps allowed & it is an AWESOME board. Fun, ridable in varied conditions, easy to DD. An all around great shape (Quad w/a nub fin- never rode that before but I like it alot!) I would seriously check it out.
Sweet 1st post, but a herro threade be a must. That goes for grrlz too. Double even. Or at least a haiku...
