I've been trying to get a shortboard for about 5 months, but i'm scared of wasting my money on some ****ty board. Ive been riding a 6'8 NSP for the last 2 years (which has served me very well) and a 9'0, but i wanna get myself a good shortboard. First time, any suggestions. thanks
this. hard to give much more specific advise w/out knowing your height, weight, ability level, etc...but if you think a board is too small, it is. & assuming you're inside your first 5 years of surfing, if you think a board is sized right, it's still probably too small.
assuming you're not overselling your ability, i'd say something along the lines of 6'0-6'2"x19"x2 1/4"-2 1/2" should provide a nice balance of float/paddling ability & added performance that you won't suffer too much from the switch. something in the vein of a "flyer-esque" template/foil pattern would be good. personally, i'd steer you towards the upper end of that size range. but i believe in a little bit more board for beginners. better to have too much board than not enough at this stage. i'm assuming you're on the younger end of things, so this will also allow you to "grow into" the board a bit, rather than having to blow the $$$ on another board next year when you've sprouted 3 more inches.
you are on a 6'8 NSP and you are worried about getting a ****ty board... I think you already have haha. Fo real though, you should check out like a 6'2-6'4 fishy type shortboard. Fish seem to have a little forgiveness factor that straight hp boards of a similar size dont (unless your cavern hunting, which it doesnt sound like) WRV usually has a gaggle of them right around the $400-$450 mark. I wouldnt necessarily recommend getting some big name like CI or Lost, you definitely pay for the signature on those boards.
look seriously at a fish or fish hybrid. They are do anything go anywhere boards especially when it comes to east coast summer waves. WRV makes good fish and have plenty of options and designs. Cost is reasonable. Be sure to have plenty of volume. Like Matt says; Dont underestimate the size always go a little bigger. The fish will hold you in lip longer so you can maximize your surfing potentioal especially since you've only been in the water for a few years.
